CONTACT:
Randy E. Pruett | rpruett@piercom.com | (214) 217-7300
Emily Chandler | echandler@piercom.com | (214) 217-7300
Paula Nourse | pnourse@dallasholocaustmuseum.org | (214) 741-7500
Dallas Holocaust Museum Presents Former UN Force Commander for Rwanda October 15
Humanitarian, author and retired senator Roméo Dallaire advocates for ending use of child soldiers
DALLAS – October 1, 2015 – The Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance concludes its 2015 Upstander Speakers Series with celebrated Canadian humanitarian, author and retired senator, Lieutenant-General, the Honorable Roméo Dallaire (Retired) on October 15 in the Umphrey Lee Center on the Southern Methodist University campus. The event is presented and sponsored by Trea and Richard Yip.
In 1993, Dallaire was appointed Force Commander for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda; where he witnessed the country descend into chaos. More than 800,000 Rwandans were killed in the genocide.
Since his retirement, Dallaire has become an outspoken advocate for human rights, genocide prevention, war-affected children and mental health. He founded the Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative, a global partnership based at Dalhousie University committed to ending the use of child soldiers worldwide.
“Lieutenant-General Dallaire is dedicated to ending the use of children in armed conflict. His initiative partners with military, police and peacekeeping forces to equip them with tools they need to prevent the recruitment of child soldiers,” says Mary Pat Higgins, the Museum’s President and CEO. “His ongoing work addresses moral and ethical conflicts, and he insists that governments put humanity above economic and political interests.”
Dallaire’s leadership and courageous actions served as inspiration for the 2004 movie “Hotel Rwanda,” an Academy Award-winning film based on the events that took place during the Rwandan genocide. Dallaire was portrayed by actor Nick Nolte, who acted as a Canadian colonel sent to oversee the U.N. forces in Rwanda.
Author of the two best-selling books, “Shake Hands With the Devil” and “They Fight Like Soldiers, They Die Like Children,” he’s now working on a book about post-traumatic stress disorder. Dallaire has spoken publicly about his struggles after returning from Rwanda and the greater need for mental health support for veterans.
"Our world needs more champions who do not standby while others suffer,” says event sponsor and Dallas business leader Trea Yip. “Lieutenant-General Dallaire is an upstander due to his heroism in Rwanda amongst unspeakable horror, for the strength he demonstrated in his own battle with PTSD and for his work to rehabilitate child soldiers."
The Upstander Speaker Series was created to showcase Upstanders – people who are willing to stand up and take action in defense of others – and inspire others to demonstrate the same courage and commitment.
Dallaire will speak at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, at the Southern Methodist University Umphrey Lee Center in the Martha Proctor Mack Grand Ballroom, 3300 Dyer Street, Dallas. RSVP to Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.com/d/tx–dallas/upstander/ Admission is free for Museum members, $10 general admission, VIP free for Circle of Remembrance, $25 VIP for members and $40 VIP for public. VIP includes reception with Dallaire.
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About the Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance
The Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance is committed to teaching the moral and ethical response to prejudice, hatred and indifference for the benefit of all humanity. The Museum’s education programs have had a profound effect on people of all ages. In 2014, 65,031 visitors toured the Museum, and many wrote, emailed or posted notes telling how their lives were transformed by the experience. Through its exhibits and programs, they learn about the humiliating discrimination, deep-rooted hatred, and the near annihilation of the Jewish people and the systematic enslavement of others. The Museum is located at 211 N. Record Street, Dallas, Texas 75202. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please visit dallasholocaustmuseum.org or call (214) 741-7500.