SAR Press Release:

Scholars at Risk returns to the University of Chicago for Oct. 7 seminar
SAR-PR-04-11 - September 28, 2004

New York, NY - The University of Chicago's Human Rights Program, together with Scholars at Risk, will host a lunchtime seminar featuring visiting formerly-threatened intellectuals from Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East, who will share their first-hand experiences of working under threat to promote new ideas, new policies and new ways of thinking. Robert Quinn, director of the Scholars at Risk Network will discuss the work of Scholars at Risk since it left the University of Chicago last year.

"These scholars are true champions of intellectual freedom and human rights," said Scholars at Risk director Robert Quinn. "They represent the kind of inspiring, courageous voices who are helping to shape a better future for the world; the kind of voices that Scholars at Risk was created to honor and to defend," added Quinn.

Last fall, Scholars at Risk moved its central office to New York University from the University of Chicago. Scholars at Risk was hosted for more than four years by the University of Chicago, which is where it was launched in 2000.

"We are so grateful for the support we received while at Chicago, particularly from the Provost's Office, the Center for International Studies and the Human Rights Program," said Quinn. "While at Chicago, we literally grew from an idea of a few people to a full-fledged, international organization. It has been a truly remarkable effort on everyone's part, particularly those at Chicago who helped us during the past four years, and who continue to work with us today," added Quinn.

The University of Chicago hosted two of the first scholars placed through the Network, from China and Madagascar in 2002 and 2003, and is currently preparing to host a third scholar from Indonesia. Prof. Susan Gzesh, Director of the Human Rights Program and Prof. Alison Boden, Dean of Rockefeller Memorial Chapel and Senior Lecturer in the Divinity School at the University of Chicago, are both members of the Scholars at Risk Network Advisory Board.

Each of the visiting scholars participating in the seminar received partial fellowships from the Institute of International's Scholar Rescue Fund. The Fund provides partial fellowships for scholars from any discipline and any country experiencing threats of persecution for their work, prominence or exercise of their fundamental human rights. This week, economist and philanthropist Henry Kaufman announced a $10 million gift to the Scholar Rescue Fund. Scholars at Risk works with the Fund to arrange temporary visits by fellowship recipients to Network-member universities and colleges.

Scholars at Risk is an international network of more than 90 universities and colleges working to promote academic freedom and to defend the human rights of scholars worldwide. Scholars at Risk's primary activity is to arrange short-term visits to Network-member institutions for scholars who suffer because of their work, prominence, or the exercise of fundamental human rights. For more information about Scholars at Risk, please visit: http://scholarsatrisk.nyu.edu/ or contact Carla Stuart (212) 998-2179.

The seminar will be held on October 7, at 12 noon in Pick Hall Lounge on the campus of the University of Chicago, 5828 South University Place. It is free and open to the public. Media and non-UofC persons interested in attending the event should arrange access by contacting Maureen Loughnane at 773-834-0957 or by email at human-rights AT uchicago.edu.

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