Peace Prize Winner Williams Delivers Inspirational Lecture
Alex Davis
Issue date: 10/6/05 Section: News
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While delivering a speech entitled "What You Do Matters: Creating Communities to Solve Global Problems," Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Jody Williams described the hurdles and misconceptions involved in activism, as well as the rewards and blessings. She gave the speech last Thursday, September 29 in the UMass Campus Center Auditorium.
As recipient of the 2005 Center for Public Policy and Administration (CPPA) public service award, Williams encouraged audience members to focus on issues that they found important and asked them to take action and make a difference.
According to Wendy Varner of the CPPA, "Every year the CPPA nominates someone to receive the public service award...last year it was Michael Dukakis...this year it's Jody...the award is meant to celebrate activism and a commitment to public service."
In 1997 Williams received the Nobel Peace Prize for founding the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). Under Williams' guidance, ICBL built the support of over 1,300 non-governmental organizations in 85 countries. On September 17, 1997, ICBL reached its goal of negotiating an international treaty to ban antipersonnel landmines. Today, 147 countries have signed and ratified the treaty including Cambodia, Afghanistan and Sudan. The United States, however, has neither signed nor ratified the treaty.
According to Williams, "At one point, fifty percent of the national territory of Cambodia had landmines...one out of every 236 Cambodians had stepped on one...but interestingly, most of the landmines that were used in Vietnam came from the United States."
Associate Chancellor Ester Terry introduced Williams as "an eloquent and outspoken activist" before handing her the public service award. Terry continued, "Ten women in the whole world have received the Nobel Peace Prize...Williams is the third woman from the United States to have received it."
With a masters from Johns Hopkins in international relations, a masters in Spanish education, and a B.A from the University of Vermont, Williams began her work as an activist in 1968 when she protested against the war in Vietnam.
As recipient of the 2005 Center for Public Policy and Administration (CPPA) public service award, Williams encouraged audience members to focus on issues that they found important and asked them to take action and make a difference.
According to Wendy Varner of the CPPA, "Every year the CPPA nominates someone to receive the public service award...last year it was Michael Dukakis...this year it's Jody...the award is meant to celebrate activism and a commitment to public service."
In 1997 Williams received the Nobel Peace Prize for founding the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). Under Williams' guidance, ICBL built the support of over 1,300 non-governmental organizations in 85 countries. On September 17, 1997, ICBL reached its goal of negotiating an international treaty to ban antipersonnel landmines. Today, 147 countries have signed and ratified the treaty including Cambodia, Afghanistan and Sudan. The United States, however, has neither signed nor ratified the treaty.
According to Williams, "At one point, fifty percent of the national territory of Cambodia had landmines...one out of every 236 Cambodians had stepped on one...but interestingly, most of the landmines that were used in Vietnam came from the United States."
Associate Chancellor Ester Terry introduced Williams as "an eloquent and outspoken activist" before handing her the public service award. Terry continued, "Ten women in the whole world have received the Nobel Peace Prize...Williams is the third woman from the United States to have received it."
With a masters from Johns Hopkins in international relations, a masters in Spanish education, and a B.A from the University of Vermont, Williams began her work as an activist in 1968 when she protested against the war in Vietnam.