Jane Olson, humanitarian and published author, will be the next speaker to visit Fresno State for the President’s Lecture Series.

Her lecture, “Finding Hope in Dark Places: Journeys of a Global Humanitarian,” will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at the Resnick Student Union. A question-and-answer session will follow the lecture.

Olson has worked as a volunteer for many decades to promote peace and justice through international human rights and humanitarian organizations. She chaired the International Board of Trustees of Human Rights Watch, the largest U.S.-based international human rights organization, from 2004 to 2010 and served as co-chair of the Women’s Refugee Commission. As founding board chair of Landmine Survivors Network/Survivor Corps, she gave leadership to the network for 12 years.

Olson’s book, “World Citizen,” recounts her experiences in various countries and regions while advocating for the protection of fundamental human rights as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Her experience in war zones, crowded refugee camps, and some of the poorest and most disease-affected places on the planet serve as a reminder of the positive impact people can have on others.

The lecture is free and open to the public. The event will also be available via Zoom. Additional information will be available on the event website in the coming weeks.

Related Story: Fresno State Gets $1.2M Grant to Research Latino Tobacco Use

About the President’s Lecture Series

The President’s Lecture Series began in 2016 and features prominent national guests invited to campus by Fresno State’s president.

Other national figures who have participated are New York Times columnist David Brooks, presidential historians Doris Kearns Goodwin and Michael Beschloss, New York Times foreign affairs columnist Thomas L. Friedman, Washington Post journalist Robert Costa, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media Steve Forbes, psychologist and author of “Grit” Angela Duckworth, and Mallika Chopra, media entrepreneur and published author.

For more information or for disability accommodations, contact the Office of the President at 559-278-0178 or events@mail.fresnostate.edu.