Pitt Programs to Explore Women's, Children's Rights in War and Conflict

PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, Ford Institute for Human Security, and Women's Studies Program will sponsor two free public events Friday, Nov. 12, dealing with the role of women in post-conflict situations and the rights of children born of wartime rape. A third event, a daylong workshop Saturday, Nov. 13, titled "The Human Rights of Children Born of Wartime Sexual Violence and Exploitation," is not open to the public.

At 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12, Julie Mertus, associate professor and codirector of the Ethics, Peace, and Global Affairs Program at American University's School of International Service, will deliver a speech titled "Women's Role in the

International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia," in Room 3911, Posvar Hall, 230 S. Bouquet St., Oakland. Mertus is author of War's Offensive on Women: The Humanitarian Challenge in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan (Kumarian Press, 2000).

At 7 p.m., Nov. 12, the film War Babies," which addresses the issue of children conceived of wartime rape, will be screened in Room 2500 Posvar Hall. The film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Debra DeLaet of Drake University, Siobhan McEvoy-Levy of Butler University, Cathy Kenny of the University of Galway, and Jasna Balorda of the University of Sarajevo.

The Nov. 13 workshop will bring together researchers and practitioners from around the world to examine problems and solutions pertaining to the rights of children in post-conflict situations. Media members interested in covering the event should contact John Fedele, Pitt assistant director of news, at 412-624-4148.

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