Cultural and Humanitarian Agents

"Peace Making By All Means"

Speaker:

Saliya Weerakoon, Executive Education Student, Harvard Kennedy School.

Co-sponsored by the Mahindra Humanities Center.

This event is part of Worldwide Week at Harvard, celebrated from October 20–27, 2018.

Contact:

Alen Agaronov
alen.agaronov@mail.harvard.edu
or
Jahnvi Singh
jahnvi.singh08@gmail.com

Chairs:

Doris Sommer, Faculty Associate; Chair, Weatherhead Initiative on Afro-Latin American Studies. Ira Jewell Williams, Jr. Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, Department of Romance Languages and Literatures; Professor of African and African American Studies, Department of African and African American Studies; Director, Cultural Agents Initiative, Harvard University.

Vincenzo Bollettino, Director, Resilient Communities Program, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Harvard University.

One-hour presentation will be followed by discussion. Event is free and open to the public. RSVP is optional via Eventbrite.

Abstract:

Inspired by a family tragedy in his childhood, Saliya learned that peace was something you cannot compromise. Throughout a professional career of two decades as a marketing practitioner, he found numerous ways to use art, sports and education to connect people. In his early years, having lived through a youth-driven insurrection, and a separate devastating war in Sri Lanka, he began a lifelong study on the role of the humanities to humanity. Saliya recalls his experience working with political and business leaders, brands and the public to reveal the importance of the humanities studies in making the world a better place.

Saliya Weerakoon is a senior corporate executive, angel investor and an educator with over 23 years of professional experience, is currently pursuing post-graduate studies in public leadership. He is a passionate advocate of youth empowerment and equal opportunity in education. Saliya has experience in the Asia Pacific and Middle-Eastern regions with iconic organizations and continues to advise policymakers in strategic communications.

Worldwide Week at Harvard showcases the remarkable breadth and depth of Harvard’s global engagement. During Worldwide Week, Harvard Schools, research centers, departments, and student organizations host academic, cultural, and social events with global or international themes. The second annual Worldwide Week at Harvard will take place Saturday, October 20 through Saturday, October 27, 2018.