[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/vonsponeck.jpg” caption=”Hans von Sponeck”]McMaster's Centre for Peace Studies presents Hans von Sponeck, former United Nations Assistant Secretary General and UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq. von Sponeck will be delivering this year's Bertrand Russell Peace Lectures.

Lecture One: The Fate of a People – Iraq and UN Sanctions

Tuesday, March 7 @ 7:30 p.m. in HSC-1A1.

Lecture Two: Conflict Resolution – Iraq and the Urgency of UN
Reforms

Wednesday, March 8 @ 7:30 p.m. in HSC-1A1.

Hans von Sponeck joined the UN development program in 1968, and worked in Ghana, Turkey, Botswana, Pakistan and India, before becoming Director of European Affairs. As UN humanitarian coordinator for Iraq from 1998 – 2000, he was responsible for managing the distribution of goods under the Oil-for-Food program, and verifying Iraqi compliance with that program. von Sponeck resigned from this position in 2000, in protest of the international policy toward Iraq.

In his June 2005 address to the World Tribunal, von Sponeck stated,”It is a crime in many countries to leave the scene of an accident without helping the victims. This also applies to the responsibility of the international community to help the Iraqi victims. Conscience, compassion and a sense of responsibility are powerful reasons to stay involved.”

“In summary, Iraq remains 'unfinished business' for the international peace movement and responsible citizens everywhere.”

The author of three books, including Human Development – Is There an Alternative?, Von Sponeck is a recipient of the Order of St. John, the Church of England's Peace Prize, and the Bremen Peace Prize.