CORD to Host 15th Annual Symposium

From April 2 through April 5, 2014 the Josef Korbel School's Center on Rights Development will host its 15th annual symposium. Co-sponsors are the Global Health Affairs and Humanitarian Assistance programs, and the Center for Middle East Studies. The theme of this year's series of events is "Right to Health." Discussion topics will include reproductive health, water and sanitation issues, psychosocial effects of war, mobile technology, and more.

"CORD hosts a symposium every year to raise awareness at DU and in the greater Denver community about the universal recognition of human rights," explains Jordan Rief, a research and education assistant with CORD, and a 1st year MA candidate in the School's International Development and Global Health Affairs certificate programs. "We focus on a specific aspect within human rights to highlight current issues, innovation, and work being done around the globe."

Recent alumna Laura Loyd Braff adds "Because [CORD's annual] symposium brings together such a diverse group of experts coming from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, I think anyone interested in public health, human rights, or humanitarian assistance will be able to find a speaker aligned with their interests."

Reif indicates that planning and running the symposium has enhanced her experience at the Josef Korbel School. "This provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to plan events touching on the topic of human rights and to interact with renowned leaders in this field."

"Personally, I have discovered a variety of new and interesting topics and have grown as a person, student, and event planner," further explains Dina Klimkina, CORD's symposium and events coordinator and 2nd year MA candidate in the International Studies program.

The complete schedule for CORD's annual symposium is listed below.  To learn more about CORD, visit their website at http://centeronrightsdevelopment.org/.

Wednesday, April 2

• Opening Keynote
  Chiara Lepora, Médecins Sans Frontières
  Cybe Café | 6-8 p.m.

Thursday, April 3

• "Wading Through the Complexities: The Issue of WASH in Crisis Settings"
  Dr. Christine Moe, Emory University
  Sam Stephens, Global Soap Project
  Cyber Café | 12-2 p.m.
• "Maternal Matters: Reproductive Health in Humanitarian Settings" 
  Dr. Gretchen Berggren, University of Colorado
  Sarah Chynoweth, PhD Candidate in Global Health and Community Medicine
  Cyber Café | 5-8 p.m.

Friday, April 4

• Career Talk/ Information Session
  Cyber Café | 9 a.m.
• "mHealth: Mobile Technologies in Emergency Relief"
  Nyka Alexander, World Health Organization, Crisis Communications
  Sheana Bull, University of Colorado
  BCH 301 | 12-2 p.m.
• "Emergencies & the Environment: How Crises Create Hazards to Health"
  Ruth Berggren, Plexent
  Cyber Café | 5-7 p.m.

Saturday April 5th

• Closing Keynote & Reception
  "Protection & Assistance: The Dialectics of the Right to Health in Emergency Settings"
  Chris Giannou, War Surgeon, Former International Committee of the Red Cross
  Anderson Academic Commons | 2-5 p.m.
• "Psychosocial Care: Issues of Mental & Social Well-Being in Disaster Relief"
  Chris Giannou, War Surgeon, Former International Committee of the Red Cross
  Daniel Savin, University of Colorado-Denver
  Courtney Welton-Mitchell, University of Denver
  Cyber Café | 5-7 p.m.