1997 Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Jody Williams Kicks Off SNC

August 30, 2002

DELAWARE, OHIO -- Jody Williams, 1997 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, will lead off Ohio Wesleyan's Sagan National Colloquium public affairs speakers series on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in OWU's Gray Chapel. Her lecture is entitled "The Global Dimensions of Security," a relevant and fitting topic, given this year's Colloquium theme on The Search for Security in an Age of Anxiety. Following last fall's terrorist attacks, this search became the great challenge facing America and the world.

As Campaign Ambassador for and founding coordinator of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), Williams has served as strategist and chief spokesperson for the campaign. She has worked with governments worldwide, the United Nations, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, leading the crusade that resulted in the 1997 international treaty banning antipersonnel landmines. She continues to speak on behalf of ICBL worldwide and recently has traveled to Afghanistan.

Prior to her work with ICBL, Williams worked to build public awareness about U.S. policy toward Central America. From 1986 to 1992, she developed and directed humanitarian relief projects as deputy director of the Los Angeles-based Medical Aid for El Salvador, developing a network for hospitals in 20 U.S. cities that donated medical care to Salvadoran children who were hurt in the war in that country. Williams also coordinated the Nicaragua-Honduras Education Project in the mid 1980s, and has taught English as a Second Language in Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Washington, D.C. She is one of only ten women who have received the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Sagan National Colloquium is in its 17th year at Ohio Wesleyan. All lectures are free and open to the public. More information is available at http://snc.owu.edu/ or 740-368-3995.