On Oct. 30, James Kofi Annan, an award-winning human rights activist and Richard Lui, a service-oriented MSNBC anchor, will speak at Wellesley College about sex trafficking, community service and activism. Lui will open for Annan, who is expected to focus on the child slave trade and the importance of young people in the fight for human rights. The lecture will begin at 3:30 p.m. in Tishman Commons in the Lulu Chow Wang Center.
"I feel a sense of responsibility to do something about sex trafficking," said Hailey Lee '14, is the main coordinator of the event. "It's a very big passion of mine."
Kofi Annan, a world-famous Ghanian diplomat, served as the Governor-General of the United Nations from 1997 through 2006. In 2001 he won a Nobel Peace Prize for his human rights efforts, and more specifically for founding the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM). GFATM currently provides 20 percent of all international funding to combat AIDS and HIV.
The event was the brainchild of Lee, who until recently was the president of "End Slavery Now," an anti-human trafficking youth group in her hometown of Edina, MN. "I was so shocked that slavery still existed," said Lee, who heard about the issue from her mother four years ago and has been deeply involved in the anti-human trafficking efforts ever since. "I didn't want to be one of those people who hears about these issues and just goes back to eating their dinner."
Her service efforts throughout high school brought her to the attention of Richard Lui, whom she renewed contact with over the past summer.
Lui is a dayside MSNBC news anchor with a deep commitment to social justice. He is a pro-bono consultant strategy consultant for Community Consulting Teams, where he focuses on assisting low-income neighborhoods by implementing technology centers and utilizing homeless transitional housing models. He is also a board member of Crossroads, a non-profit organization that provides homeless services, and on the advisory board of Progressive Redevelopment Inc., a non-profit developer of affordable housing.
"Lui asked if I wanted to work with him again regarding James Kofi Annan," Lee said. "Lui was so touched by [Kofi Annan's] story that he wanted to bring him to America and share his story. I did research on Kofi Annan and was really impressed by what he'd accomplished with child slaves—I really wanted to help spread his efforts and awareness."
In the hopes of continuing her human rights efforts at Wellesley, Lee joined Amnesty International shortly after her arrival on campus and began planning the event.
"As an incoming freshman I really had no idea where to look or what resources were available," said Lee, who plans on being an International Relations major. "Amnesty was the support I needed. I couldn't have done it without the help of Melda, Katie and the CLCE."
Meanwhile Katie Blair '11, president of the Wellesley College chapter of Amnesty International, gives Lee the credit for organizing Annan and Lui's visit. "She really stepped up and put a lot of work into the entire project," said Blair.
Melda Salhab '13, Amnesty International's Treasurer, agreed with Blair. "Lee had the idea and she contacted Richard Lui and Kofi Annan," Salhab said. As Treasurer, she was responsible for applying for funding to cover the event's expense.
As it turned out, Annan already had a speaking tour planned and he was going to be in Boston on Oct. 30. So while Wellesley—specifically the Committee for Lecture and Cultural Events (CLCE)—had to cover the cost of Lui and his publicist's travel and accommodations, Annan and Lui both waived the honorarium costs, meaning that they agreed to speak completely free of charge.
The Annan lecture this Saturday is only the first of several lectures that Amnesty International is coordinating this year. The group's main focus throughout the year will be on human rights for terrorists and suspected terrorist detainees. "While the US conducts campaigns against terror, everyone still needs to be treated with dignity and respect," Blair said.
The CLCE, which funds a variety of events and lectures throughout the year, will likely be the main sponsor for the other lectures planned by Amnesty International.
Amnesty International holds open meetings every Sunday night at 9 p.m. For those who are interested in human rights activism—such as human trafficking, the subject of this week's lecture—but don't wish to join the group, Amnesty International also conducts several letter-writing campaigns throughout the year and hosts informational movie screenings, all with the aim of encouraging and inspiring activism interest within the Wellesley College community.
The lecture by Kofi Annan and Lui is free and open to the
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