Zakaria, a Pakistani American who is currently a doctoral candidate at Indiana University, was awarded the John Edwards Fellow for 2007-2008, and was recognized by the Indiana Congress for her work on behalf of South Asian women. Zakaria currently serves on the Board of Directors for Amnesty International and is the first Pakistani American woman to serve as a director for Amnesty International. She chairs the Planning and Priority Committee for Amnesty International while maintaining a broad portfolio of published journalistic and scholarly work.

Timothy Schorn, professor of Political Science at USD and director of the International Studies Program, points out that many Americans are unaware of human rights violations throughout the world.

“Rafia Zakaria is speaking on an issue that is very relevant and important. As we pursue our policy of counterterrorism, are we including discussions of human rights? Are our actions contradicting our values? This is a terrific opportunity to engage the university community in discussion,” said Schorn, who hopes that inviting speakers like Zakaria will bring human rights violations to the forefront of students’ minds. “I am very pleased that we are able to host an expert on Human Rights and to introduce students and the larger community to a perspective that perhaps they hadn't thought of.”

Schorn is faculty advisor to the USD International Studies Organization, a student organization committed to helping USD students enrich their understanding of world events and politics through engagement, philanthropy, scholarship and service. A photo of Schorn is available for download at www.usd.edu/press/news/images/releases/Tim_Schorn.jpg.

For more information about Rafia Zakaria or the International Studies Organization please visit www.usd.edu/internationalstudies or email internationalstudies@usd.edu.

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