FRESNO STATE — Jane Olson, a well-known humanitarian and author, is welcomed by Fresno State as the next speaker for its President’s Lecture Series. Her talk, scheduled at the Resnick Student Union, is titled “Finding Hope in Dark Places: Journeys of a Global Humanitarian”. After, there will be a question-and-answer session with the audience. Fortunately, the event is free and open to the public. There will even be an option to join virtually via Zoom.
Decades of Humanitarian Work
To start, Olson has spent decades volunteering to promote peace, justice, and human rights worldwide. Therefore, her work spans across multiple organizations, including serving as chair of the International Board of Trustees of Human Rights Watch from 2004 – 2010. The Human Rights Watch is the largest international human rights organization, based in the U.S. In addition, she co-chaired the Women’s Refugee Commission and was the founding board chair of the Landmine Survivors Network (previously Survivor Corps). Olson gave the LSN leadership proudly for 12 years.
An Inspiring Story
Additionally, Olson’s goes into detail about her unique experiences in her book, “World Citizen“. Through her writing, she brings to life the realities faced by those she has worked to help. From war zones to refugee camps, Olson has witnessed the struggles of some of the most vulnerable populations. In particular, her stories from these places shed light on the difficult situations people endure. Also, the stories bring attention to the power of hope and the positive impact that people can have on the lives of others.
Fresno State’s Esteemed Lecture Series
Finally, the President’s Lecture Series began in 2016. Therefore, this series has brought many prominent national figures to Fresno State’s campus. For example, previous speakers include:
- New York Times columnist David Brooks
- Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin
- Forbes Media chairmen Steve Forbes
- Psychologist Angela Duckworth
All in all, this lecture series offers the community and students an opportunity to hear from respected individuals on a range of topics.
Mark your calendars, the lecture will be scheduled for:
- 6:00 P.M.
- Wednesday, September 18
- Resnick Student Union
For more information on Olson’s upcoming lecture, as well as details on how to join the vent via Zoom, visit the Fresno State website.