Ronan Farrow: Writer, lawyer, diplomat, TV host

Ronan Farrow: Writer, lawyer, diplomat, TV host

"A new generation of protest: How technology is changing the art of uprising"
Open VISIONS Forum Lecture Series
8 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
Tickets: $45

Image: R Farrow Fairfield University's Open VISIONS Forum lecture series welcomes writer, human rights lawyer, diplomat, and television host Ronan Farrow, to Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2014 . In a lecture entitled "A New Generation of Protest: How Technology is Changing the Art of Uprising," Mr. Farrow, who recently began hosting a new MSNBC television program, Ronan Farrow Daily, will share his thoughts and visions as one of the world's foremost experts on youth uprisings.

Introducing Mr. Farrow will be Michael Serazio, Ph.D. , deputy director of Open VISIONS Forum and assistant professor of communication. Following Mr. Farrow's presentation, there will be an informal conversation and discussion with Robbin D. Crabtree, Ph.D ., Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, Philip Eliasoph, Ph.D., professor of art history and founder/moderator of Open VISIONS Forum, and Michael Serazio, Ph.D. This program is made possible in part by the generous support of Connecticut Humanities. Moffly Media is the exclusive magazine sponsor for the 2013-14 Open VISIONS Forum. Single tickets are $45.

"Mr. Farrow is a terrific role model for our students. In addition to a strong liberal arts education, he has demonstrated extraordinary civic engagement throughout his life, and always seeks to bring his skills and energies to social justice issues," said Robbin D. Crabtree, Ph.D. "As a writer, he shines light on critical issues at home and abroad, with great sensitivity to the interconnectedness of the world's economies and peoples."

Ronan Farrow served as the United States' first envoy on youth issues, led the Obama administration's response to the Arab Spring revolutions, and founded State Department's Office of Global Youth Issues for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Prior to joining the State Department, he served as Spokesperson for Youth at UNICEF, working with youth groups on the AIDS epidemic in Nigeria, on post-war reconstruction efforts in Angola, and in the Darfur region of Sudan. He also worked in Afghanistan and Pakistan on conflict issues in those countries.

Born to movie star parents and grandparents and raised in a family of fourteen adopted siblings from around the world, Farrow started on his path to success early. He enrolled at Bard College at 11 and became its youngest ever graduate at 15. He was subsequently one of the youngest students ever admitted to Yale Law School at age 16, and one of the youngest State Department appointees on record at 21. At 23, he was awarded the renowned Rhodes scholarship. Farrow gained notoriety as a youth activist, as one of the leaders of the American student movement on atrocities in Darfur. Working with the Genocide Intervention Network, he spoke at universities around the country, reporting atrocities he'd witnessed while working in Sudan and mobilizing student action that eventually led to strengthened sanctions and international involvement in the conflict. Writing for the Wall Street Journal in 2006, he was among the first to report on the critical role of Chinese investments in fueling the conflict, an exposé that would eventually spark front-page New York Times coverage and a major international divestment campaign.

In addition to his work for the Wall Street Journal , Farrow's writings on humanitarian and human rights issues have appeared in publications including the Los Angeles Times , the International Herald Tribune and the Washington Post . He has appeared on MSNBC, ABC and CNN, among others, advocating for children associated with armed conflicts. In 2008, he was awarded Refugees International's McCall-Pierpaoli Humanitarian Award for "extraordinary service to refugees and displaced people." In 2009, he was named by New York Magazine as their "New Activist" of the year and included on their list of individuals "on the verge of changing their worlds." In 2010, Harper's Bazaar named him their "up-and-coming politician of the year." In 2012, he was named one of the Christian Science Monitor 's 30 young people with game-changing ideas, and as one of Forbes ' "30 Under 30" most influential people.

Tickets are available through the Quick Center Box Office: (203) 254-4010, or toll-free 1-877-ARTS-396 (1-877-278-7396). Tickets can also be purchased online at www.quickcenter.com .

The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts is located on the campus of Fairfield University at 1073 North Benson Road in Fairfield, Connecticut. Entrance to the Quick Center is through the Barlow Road gate at 200 Barlow Road. Free, secure parking is available. Access for people with disabilities is available throughout the Quick Center for audience members and performers. Hearing amplification devices are available upon request at the Box Office. Fairfield University is located off exit 22 of Interstate-95. For further information and directions, call (203) 254-4010 or 1-877-278-7396, or visit www.quickcenter.com .

Posted On: 02-26-2014 11:02 AM

Volume: 46 Number: 139