Panel to discuss preventing mass atrocities and genocide

The University of Oregon Genocide Prevention Initiative will present the panel discussion “Preventing Mass Atrocities: Strategies for the Future,” at noon  Thursday, April 21, at the White Stag Block in Portland.

The discussion will focus on the obstacles to effective prevention of mass atrocities and examine the psychological, legal and institutional strategies for overcoming these situations. Preventing mass atrocities and genocide is a core national security interest and moral responsibility of the United States, but attacks on civilian populations continue in many corners of the world.

The panel includes Paul Slovic, UO professor of psychology, a leading researcher on decision-making during times of genocide and mass atrocity; Jim Finkel, with George Washington University, a former state department official and leading scholar on the new Atrocities Prevention Board; and Jason Lewis-Berry, director in the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations in the U.S. Department of State and in charge of conflict prevention initiatives. Jane Gordon, UO interim vice provost of Portland, will introduce the panel.

The White Stag Block is at 70 NW Couch St. To attend the program, rsvp to tessp@uoregon.edu