“However much we are affected by the things of the world, however deeply they
may stir and stimulate us, they become human for us only when we can discuss
them with our fellows. Whatever cannot become the object of discourse -
the truly sublime, the truly horrible or the uncanny - may find human voice
through which to sound into the world, but it is not exactly human.
We humanize what is going on in the world and in ourselves only by
speaking of it, and in the course of speaking of it we learn to be human.”
― Hannah Arendt, Men in Dark Times
The Fromm Institute invites you to conversations of ideas, views and experiences on the topic of Rights Around the World. Join Fromm Institute Professor Mara Kolesas in a conversation with guest speakers followed by a question and answer period with attendees. Each conversatory is designed to build on the others, however attendance at prior conversatories is not required. All events are free and open to the public, but attendance is limited. All of the "Conversatory on Rights Around the World" & "Conversatory on Racism" Lectures can be viewed on the Frommcast. CLICK HERE.
About the Moderator
Mara Kolesas is a political theorist whose interests extend from the conceptualization of citizenship, democracy, and human plurality to issues of political subjectivity, social justice, education, and the thought of Hannah Arendt. She received her doctorate from the New School of Social Research in New York, and has taught in Argentina, Peru, the US, and Lebanon. Committed to bringing academic insights to practical uses and social endeavors, she has worked as a strategist, institutional analyst, DEI practitioner, and consultant for organizations such as the University of California and the United Nations.
Past Conversatories
August 26, 2021
Rethinking the Future of Israel/Palestine: Between Two States and One :
Omar Dajani in Conversation with Mara Kolesas
October 15, 2021
Rights, Activism and Representation - Reflections from the Armenian Diaspora :
Sossie Kasbarian in Conversation with Mara Kolesas
January 21, 2022
The Corrosion of the World's Largest Democracy: India under Modi with Sanjay Ruparelia
Sanjay Ruparelia in Conversation with Mara Kolesas
April 21, 2022
The One Truthiness - based on the structure of a Passover Seder :
Charlie Levin in Conversation with Mara Kolesas
September 2, 2021
Narrating Israel-Palestine :
Farid Abdel Nour in Conversation with Mara Kolesas
November 15, 2021
Limits of Supranational Justice : The European Court of Human Rights & Turkey's Kurdish Conflict :
Dilek Kurban in Conversation with Mara Kolesas
February 4, 2022
Negotiating Rights Under the Religio-Chauvinist Rule of the Taliban :
Dr. Omar Sadr in Conversation with Mara Kolesas
April 27, 2022
Rethinking Gender and Sexuality in the Arab World :
Omnia El Shakry in conversation with Mara Kolesas
September 3, 2021
The New Israel Fund and How to Protect and Advance Democracy and Equality in Israel :
Daniel Sokatch in Conversation with Mara Kolesas
December 8, 2021
Narrative on War and Justice in the 21st Century :
Luis Moreno Acampo in Conversation with Mara Kolesas
March 24, 2022
Ukraine & Russia - History, Rights & Geopolitics :
Yuriy Gorodnichenko in Conversation with Mara Kolesas
May 17, 2022
Citizenship, Constitutions, Belonging and Race in Kenya and Colombia
Bettinna Ng'weno in conversation with Mara Kolesas
September 8, 2021
Citizen-Enemies: Failed and Emerging Promises of Citizenship in Israel/Palestine :
Smadar Ben-Natan in Conversation with Mara Kolesas
January 6, 2022
The Crisis of Democracy :
Larry Diamond in Conversation with Mara Kolesas
April 13, 2022
Gender & Democracy in Brazil & Beyond :
Dr. Flávia Biroli in Conversation with Mara Kolesas