September 12, 2018

The Institute for Human Ecology at The Catholic University of America will host a talk by Robert George, Princeton University’s McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence, on Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in Heritage Hall of Fr. O’Connell Hall. Professor George will speak as part of an inaugural event launching a new interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Human Rights program. The lecture also celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Issued on Dec. 10, 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has had a great influence on the recognition and protection of human rights worldwide. Catholic University’s new master’s program seeks to bring the Catholic perspective to bear on the discussion and understanding of human rights.

George will discuss human rights, the Declaration, religious freedom, and other topics.

“Having served as Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Professor George is an expert in religious freedom and human rights, and I look forward to the insight he will provide,” said William Saunders, director of the program in Human Rights, director of the Center for Human Rights in the School of Arts and Sciences, co-director of the Center for Religious Liberty in the Columbus School of Law, and fellow at the Institute for Human Ecology.

In addition to his service as chairman of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, George has served as a member of the President’s Council on Bioethics and as a presidential appointee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights. George is considered to be one of the country’s leading public intellectuals. Making Men Moral: Civil Liberties and Public Morality and The Clash of Orthodoxies: Law, Religion and Morality in Crisis are among the many books he has written. He has received multiple awards and honors for his work.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information or to RSVP, visit  ihe.catholic.edu/event/70thhumanrights/ or contact ihe@cua.edu or 202-319-5892.

Members of the media are invited to attend the event, or watch it via livestream.

MEDIA: For more information about the new master’s program, to schedule an interview, or attend the event, contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at communications@cua.edu or 202-319-5600.