Who: Sera Koulabdara & Siliphone Anna Phommachanthone

What: Global Humanitarian Week: Legacies of War 

When: March 19, 2024 5:00–6:00 PM

Where: Miller 1101 (Accessibility Info)

For Global Humanitarian Week, the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery is honored to host Legacies of War, the only international U.S.-based advocacy and educational organization working to address the impacts of explosive remnants of war in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. At least 200,000 people have been injured or killed by unexploded ordnance (UXO) in these countries, with vast areas of land still contaminated today. This year, Sera Koulabdara, CEO of Legacies of War, and Siliphone Phommachanthone, Senior Executive Intern at Legacies of War, will speak about transforming experiences of conflict into resilience and healing.

Under Sera’s leadership, Legacies of War received the Humanitarian Award of 2022 for its successful advocacy efforts in securing funds for bomb removal and victim assistance, presented by Laos, and US funding for UXO clearance in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam has reached USD 73 million, its highest level in history.

Through her advocacy work for UXO-free Laos, Siliphone is on a Fulbright U.S. Student Research Fellowship studying UXO land release in Laos, where she is gathering stories of how the people of Laos benefit from UXO clearance. She is looking forward to sharing her findings through Legacies of War.

The event is free and open to the public. A light reception will be provided following the event. 

Accessible parking available is in B lot, with additional parking in the Mason Street Parking Deck.