About the Event
The Vermont Council on World Affairs invites you to join us for an evening reception to conclude our 2021 International Day of Peace celebration. This event allows us to reflect on issues related to peace both on a global and local scale, and as we look to the future, consider our role in creating a better world. This event will feature a keynote address moderated by our Executive Director, Patricia Preston, remarks from Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray, and a celebration honoring the VCWA 2021 Person of the Year.
Our keynote speaker, CNN Correspondent Jim Sciutto will discuss the link between journalism and peace and the importance of truth-telling in the current age of disinformation. He will provide insight into the United States' response to the crisis in Afghanistan through his firsthand experience reporting in Kabul 20 years ago to his analysis of the situation today.
We honor Lida Nadery Hedayat as the VCWA 2021 Person of the Year. We recognize her important work as a community member as she promotes international understanding through her work.
About the Keynote Speaker
Jim Sciutto
Anchor and Chief National Security Correspondent, CNN
Jim Sciutto is CNN's chief national security correspondent and co-anchor of CNN Newsroom airing Monday through Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. ET alongside Poppy Harlow. He reports and provides analysis across the network's programs and platforms on all aspects of U.S. national security including foreign policy, the military, intelligence community, and the ongoing Russia investigation. Sciutto also serves as a fill-in anchor for several of the network's programs.
Sciutto has reported from throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Arctic with the U.S. military and senior U.S. leaders and played a key role in CNN's overseas coverage of the Charlie Hebdo and Paris terrorist attacks in France and the violent elections in the Ukraine.
Sciutto is the author of a book on the driving forces behind Islamic radicalization, Against Us: The New Face of America's Enemies in the Muslim World, and a second book on Russian and Chinese efforts to undermine the U.S., entitled The Shadow War.
Sciutto's one-hour CNN special, Targeting Terror: Inside the Intelligence War, was recognized with a 2016 Headliner Award for documentaries and his reporting from inside Iran during the 2009 election protests earned him an Edward R. Murrow award. He was also awarded the George Polk Award and a citation for Excellence from the Overseas Press Club for his undercover reporting from Myanmar, where he bucked government restrictions to tell the stories of that country's repressive regime. Additionally, his reporting for the series Iraq: Where Things Stand was recognized with an Emmy Award for two consecutive years.
Prior to joining CNN, Sciutto served as ABC News' senior foreign correspondent, based primarily in London and later in Washington. In his role, he reported from more than 50 countries across the globe including dozens of assignments from inside Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran.
VCWA’s 2021 Person of the Year Award
Lida Nadery Hedayat
Honoree
The 2021 Person of the Year award is given annually to someone who, in VCWA's view, embodies the qualities inherent in promoting international understanding and building ties between the US and the world.
This year we honor Lida Nadery Hedayat as the Vermont Council on World Affairs 2021 Person of the Year for her work supporting peace-building in Afghanistan.
Nadery Hedayat is the former Chief of Party for the Women's Leadership Development (WLD) Program, a personal development and leadership mentoring program that engaged 25,000 Afghan women. She serves on the board of the Afghan American Chamber of Commerce (AACC), formerly served on the board of the Afghan Women’s Network, and is a co-founder of Modern Education Development (MoDE), an organization that promotes women's education rights.
Nadery Hedayat has also published pieces on women's rights and economic empowerment in Afghanistan and the critical role for Afghan women in the peace process. We are privileged to have Nadery Hedayat accept this award in recognition of her work and on behalf of Afghan women and girls during this critical time.
Event Details
Covid-19 Precautions
Due to the current uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, the number of tickets is subject to change and may increase or decrease per local COVID-19 guidelines. You must be fully vaccinated to attend in-person, and masks are required indoors.
Tickets
As our major fundraiser of the year, we are requesting a minimum donation of $100; if you can donate more, we appreciate it as we work to continue our work to promote awareness and understanding of the world and its people.
What’s Included
Keynote Address
2021 Person of the Year Honoree Reception
Complimentary appetizers and drinks
Format: Hybrid *This event will be live-streamed for all virtual pass holders
Event Location: Champlain Room, Champlain College
375 Maple St, Burlington, VT 05401
Registration
In-Person Reception Pass