Genocide researcher helps brings awareness

TIFFIN --- Heidelberg University welcomed Dr. Peter Van Arsdale, Tuesday, who is known for his advocacy, research and awareness on the subject of humanitarianism, specifically human rights, applied anthropology and international development. Van Arsdale is an author and a retired professor from the University of Denver's Josef Korbel School of International Studies, where he was Senior Lecturer. A few of his several publications include "Forced to Flee: Human Rights and Human Wrongs in Refugee Homelands'; 'Humanitarians in Hostile Territory: Expeditionary Diplomacy and Aid outside the Green Zone;" and "Refugee Empowerment and Organizational Change: A Systems Perspective." He is also the former president of the National Association for the Practice of Anthropology and is a co-discoverer of a band of previously uncontacted Citak in 1974, near the Korowai people in Indonesian New Guinea. Van Arsdale of Colorado, has recently traveled to Tiffin to deliver presentations as a part of Heidelberg's annual Lichtman-Behm Genocide Lecture Series, where he provided insight into some of the genocides that have occurred over the last few decades. Van Arsdale has traveled to all seven continents and completed numerous projects and research over the many different countries he has been to, including Cambodia, Bosnia, Ethiopia and many more. During his presentations—which took place at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. at Heidelberg—Van Arsdale talked about signs that genocide is likely to happen, his approach to identifying genocidal activity and contextualizing its horrendous effects. He also shared several stories and photos of some of the individuals he's met during his travels, who have likely now been killed from genocide. The purpose of HU's lecture series is to shed light on the human tragedy of genocide for the campus and local community. Throughout each fall semester, HU brings a series of guest speakers to the campus to deliver presentations that educate students and community members in attendance about the historic and contemporary acts of genocide. These educational programs are designed to bring awareness to genocide prevention and encourage participants to take an active role in responding to its aftermath. The lecture series itself is named The Lichtman-Behm Genocide Lecture Series to honor survivors and liberators of genocide.