Physicians for Human Rights

International Women's Day Symposium, 2008

Crisis, Creativity, and Courage: Protecting Women's Rights/Promoting Women's Health

Sponsored by: Harvard Medical School, Physicians for Human Rights, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Longwood Symphony Orchestra

Location: The Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School – 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston

Time:  2:00-5:30 p.m.

The symposium is divided into three parts:

2:00 Part One – CRISIS

This presentation will present some of the work that Physicians for Human Rights, the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) and others are doing around the world. Confirmed speakers include: Dr. Jennifer Leaning of HHI, Judy Norsigian, Executive Director of Our Bodies Ourselves, and Dr. Julie Van Rooyen, Brigham and Women's Hospital.

3:00 Part Two – CREATIVITY

A  showcase of the creative ways that artists are using to raise awareness, through their writing, music, visual and dramatic arts, and photography. Invitees are Marjorie Agosin, poet; Voices of Mercy, Berklee School of Music; others

4:00 Part Four  - COURAGE

This section will open with a presentation by Ugandan doctor Julian Atim who began her work while still a medical student, followed by a lightning series of 2 minute presentations on activism, advocacy and student leadership by the students, concentrating on women's health and rights. A slide show of the students' work will accompany their short pieces.

8:00  Evening Concert

The Longwood Symphony Orchestra will be performing in the evening at Jordan Hall, in honor of PHR and HHI—one of their four annual benefit concerts.

Their pianist, Meng-chieh Liu, is a remarkable musician who almost lost his life to a rare debilitating disease, but in the end it was his music that gave him the will to live and recuperate.

Purchase tickets for the concert