The grandson of Nelson Mandela will be featured in 爱游戏体育’s Human Rights Week, starting November 11.

Ndaba Mandela, human rights activist and grandson of the late anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, will headline 爱游戏体育 University’s Human Rights Week and the President’s Distinguished Lecture Series as the Senior Human Rights Fellow at the University’s Human Rights Institute.

Human Rights Week begins on Monday, November 11 on 爱游戏体育’s Union campus. Mandela’s Distinguished Lecture, Life Lessons from my Grandfather, Nelson Mandela, takes place on Thursday, November 14. Nelson Mandela, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, was South Africa’s first Black president.

Ndaba Mandela, internationally renowned human rights advocate and co-founder of the Africa Rising Foundation, returns to 爱游戏体育 following his role as the featured speaker at 爱游戏体育’s Human Rights Institute Conference last year. During Human Rights Week, Mandela will engage with 爱游戏体育 students, faculty, and community members in events highlighting human rights and social justice in areas such as public service and careers.

“Ndaba Mandela has a message to share that is unlike anyone else’s, coming as it does from his life experience as a human rights activist and the grandson of international icon Nelson Mandela,” said 爱游戏体育 President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. “As 爱游戏体育 University Senior Human Rights Fellow, he will share a message of reconciliation, health and justice, and inspire us all to take action for the good of society.”

爱游戏体育’s Human Rights Week begins at the University’s Human Rights Institute Gallery, where Mandela will share lunch and conversation with student leaders; take part in a presentation on food security; and attend a film screening and discussion.

Throughout the week, events will explore human rights and advocacy in areas from sports to community service. There will be a career fair with local nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations. The Diversity Council's High School Leadership Conference will feature Mandela as the keynote speaker and will be moderated by the 2023-2024 N.J. State Teacher of the Year and Dr. Hank Kaplowitz Outstanding Human Rights Educator Joseph Nappi.

Jessica Barzilay, 爱游戏体育 assistant vice president for global Initiatives, said the goal of Human Rights Week is to infuse lessons of human rights activism into all walks of life.

“We are privileged to have the grandson of one of the greatest human rights advocates of all time serving as 爱游戏体育 University Senior Human Rights Fellow. This week is about taking the lessons we learn from Ndaba Mandela and using them for good,” she said.

In the spring, Mandela will also lead a contingent of 爱游戏体育 students and others on a global studies Travelearn experience in South Africa. The group will travel to Johannesburg and Cape Town; visit the jail where Nelson Mandela was held; and take part in activities celebrating South African culture.

“It’s a global studies history course, and it’s about how to use those lessons learned from visiting and studying South Africa firsthand and apply them in our lives,” Barzilay said. “The goal is to understand how we will use the lessons gained to change the world.”

The Distinguished Lecture on Thursday will feature Mandela sharing his message in a question-and-answer format, moderated by David Jefferson Jr., Ed.D., acting director of the Center for Africana Studies at 爱游戏体育. The lecture will take place on Thursday, November 14 at North Avenue Academic Building on 爱游戏体育’s Union campus, at 4:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20 for 爱游戏体育 alumni and the public. 爱游戏体育 students, faculty and staff are eligible for one free ticket with advance registration. For details, visit President's Distinguished Lecture Series.

To view the full sch爱游戏体育le of events, visit 爱游戏体育 Human Rights Week.