On Nov. 14 in Room 127 in the Kirner-Johnson Building (KJ) from 4–6 PM, the Government Department will host a talk with Ambassador Michael Klosson ’71. Klosson is the Vice President of the not-for-profit organization Save the Children. After completing his education, he pursued a career in foreign service and earned distinguished positions such as Consul General in Hong Kong and Ambassador to Cyprus. Additionally, he has returned to and taught at Hamilton several times as the Linowitz Professor of International Affairs.
The title of his lecture is “Desperate and Displaced: Helping Those in Humanitarian Crises.” Ambassador Klosson will discuss the current global displacement crisis affecting refugees and internally displaced persons, in his words, within the “broader context of humanitarian challenges.”
According to Klosson, the talk’s goals are to show “a picture of world humanitarian crises driven primarily by conflict and the climate crisis, highlight the role of NGOs in this ecosystem, discuss the 12 principles and code of conduct that shape the ideal NGO humanitarian response, drawing mainly from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Code of Conduct, and then discuss the possible application of these principles to specific situations with student participation.”
Among these crises is the Rohingya crisis, in which the Rohingya people “have been persecuted because of racism and religious intolerance,” according to Professor Anne Richard, the current Linowitz Professor of International Affairs.
Richard added, “[The Rohingya] were attacked and mistreated by their own government and have fled to neighboring Bangladesh. While Bangladesh is generous to provide shelter, the refugee camps that have been erected are quite precarious and their government has also made clear that they want the Rohingya to return to Burma.”
Klosson has also recently visited these refugee camps and has personal experience with the crisis.
On behalf of the Government Department, Professor Richard would like the campus to know that “since graduating from Hamilton, Michael Klosson has been successful in two careers (in foreign service and at a humanitarian organization) and is considered a leader among relief and development agency representatives in Washington, D.C. Students would be wise to come hear him report about global hotspots and to share his tips regarding international careers.”
Professor Richard says she realizes that “it can be wearying to hear repeatedly about the seemingly unending number of crises around the world. When the media chooses to cover crises, however, that coverage can mobilize political and diplomatic attention and resources from governments and publics.
“We all need to focus on what can be done to save lives and end suffering. Refugees and other conflict victims tend to be resilient — with even small amounts of aid, they can turn their lives around.”
Emma Ritz ’20, who is involved in the organization of the event, believes this topic “is becoming an increasingly prevalent problem in the world and it is vital that we learn about it and work to help mitigate it.”
All are encouraged to come and listen to Klosson’s talk. The Government Department will provide pastries, coffee, and tea.
