The human rights activist and Nobel Peace laureate Tawakkol Karman has been named 2018 Greeley Scholar for Peace Studies by America’s University of Massachusetts Lowell (also known as UMass Lowell). 

The candidates for Greeley Scholars are selected for their achievements as humanitarian workers and their effective efforts to promote peace and conflict resolution at the local, regional, national or international level, according to the university’s statement on its Website.

The honor is named for the late Rev. Dana McLean Greeley, who was a longtime Unitarian Universalist minister in Concord. 

“I am impressed by the level of activity and commitment Ms. Karman displays as an advocate of human rights around the globe,” said Robert Gamache, the UMass Lowell professor emeritus who co-directs the Greeley Scholar Advisory Committee and the university’s Peace and Conflict Studies Institute (PACSI).

Mr. Gamache added, “Her visit to UMass Lowell will be an incredible educational opportunity for our campus and the Greater Lowell community.” 

As a Greeley Scholar, Karman joins an esteemed list of human rights leaders who have also received the honor. Along with Gbowee, a grassroots organizer who helped end the Second Liberian Civil War, scholars have included Noy Thrupkaew, whose investigative reporting has exposed human trafficking and labor exploitation across the globe; women’s rights activist and peace-builder Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini; Albie Sachs, an architect of South African democracy and contemporary of Nelson Mandela; John Prendergast, human rights activist and founder of The Enough Project, who frequently collaborates with George Clooney; Linda Biehl, who forgave the South African men who killed her daughter Amy and now teaches about restorative justice and reconciliation with them; and Padraig O’Malley, an award-winning author and expert on democratic transitions in societies, especially South Africa, Northern Ireland and Iraq.

As the Greeley Scholar for Peace Studies, Karman will lead a series of programs for UMass Lowell students, faculty, staff and the community over a two-week period in April. Karman is scheduled to guest lecture in courses on politics, conflict resolution, diplomacy and more.

She will also be the keynote speaker at the university’s annual Day Without Violence on Tuesday, April 3. The theme of this year’s talk is nonviolence as a means of struggle, change and success.