Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 19, as Nadia Murad, recipient of the prestigious 2018 Nobel Peace Prize, delivers an impactful presentation titled «Freedom, Dignity, Resilience: Confronting Human Trafficking Amid Society’s Indifference» from the facilities of CETYS University at the Tijuana campus. This event aims to deepen the understanding of and shed light on the critical issues of exploitation and human trafficking, particularly in a region as sensitively positioned as the border between Mexico and the United States.

Human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nadia Murad emerged as a leading advocate for survivors of genocide and sexual violence after surviving the horrific Yazidi Genocide in Iraq carried out by the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2014. At the time of the attack, Nadia was taken captive by ISIS members and forced into slavery, enduring repeated abuse until she managed to escape. Since then, she has shared her story to raise awareness about gender-based violence and has become a powerful advocate for women and communities experiencing extreme brutality and abuse.

In addition to surviving unimaginable horrors, Nadia, in partnership with Amal Clooney, fought for the legal rights of Yazidis in Iraq. She launched her nonprofit, Nadia’s Initiative, to help rebuild communities in crisis and collaborated on initiatives providing enhanced access to care and reparations for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. Nadia authored the New York Times bestselling memoir, «The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State.»

«We anticipate that this conference will serve as a platform to raise awareness and inspire concrete actions in the fight against human trafficking. Our hope is to foster collaboration among the community, civil associations, the private sector, and the government, working together to promote a dignified life globally,» emphasized Ms. Yanina Rubio-Bojórquez, Dean of CETYS University Tijuana Campus, during the press conference with the media.

Mr. Heberto Peterson-Rodríguez, Academic Dean of CETYS University Tijuana Campus, noted that this marks the fourth visit by a Nobel laureate to Baja California, but notably, the first Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

«This is the fourth instance of a Nobel laureate visiting us; previously, Nobel laureates in Physics have visited the Mexicali Campus, including John Lewis Hall in 2011, Eric A. Cornell in 2014, and Wolfgang Ketterle in 2016. In the case of Nadia Murad, her visit to Tijuana holds particular significance given the migrant context,» he emphasized.

Nadia has received numerous awards and recognitions, including:

● Nobel Peace Prize Laureate in 2018

● The first UNODC Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking

in 2016

● TIME 100 Most Influential People Award in 2016

● Glamour’s Woman of the Year Award for 2016

● The Václav Havel Human Rights Prize in 2016

● The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought Prize in 2016

● The Hillary Clinton Award for Advancing Women in Peace and Security in 2018

● The International DVF Award in 2019

● Forbes and Forbes Middle East 30 under 30 (2017; 2022)

● Chapman University Distinguished Presidential Fellow in Peace Studies (2022)

In addition to Nadia’s awards and recognitions, she has routinely appeared on NBC News, CNN, BBC, France 24, and other international networks to share her story and speak out on behalf of survivors of genocide and sexual violence. Her written work is included in a range of publications, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Reuters.

RELEVANCE OF THE VISIT

The visit of Nadia Murad, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, holds profound significance as she has overcome a situation akin to that experienced by hundreds of migrants and refugees, predominantly women seeking to cross from this side of the border into the United States.

«The Tijuana-Mexicali corridor is known for being a focal point in the issue of human trafficking. Her presence is crucially relevant because many individuals in migration contexts are exposed to such distressing situations. It is imperative to highlight that children and women are the most vulnerable groups to this heinous illicit activity,» emphasized Dr. Frida Güiza-Valverde, Faculty Member of the School of Humanities at CETYS University Tijuana Campus.

DATA:

According to the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System, 488 cases of human trafficking were recorded in the first semester of 2023.

Those interested in attending the conference should register at: https://bit.ly/Conferencia-LDR

The event is scheduled for March 19th at 9:30 a.m. at the Gymnasium-Auditorium Rodrigo Valle Hernández, CETYS University – Tijuana Campus.