WOW Lecture and Luncheon: Expanding the Moral Imagination: From Loyola Academy to Global Humanitarianism

In the coming year, an estimated 132 million people in 42 countries will be in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, including protection. More people are being displaced by conflicts, food insecurity is rising and 10 percent of the world's people are still living in extreme poverty. According to the most recent World Humanitarian Data and Trends report, humanitarian crises now affect more people and last longer on average than ever before.

As we confront this rising tide of humanitarian need, it is comforting to know that there are people like Bill O'Keefe—and organizations like Catholic Relief Services (CRS)—working around the clock and around the globe to help ease the human suffering caused by war, oppressive regimes, poverty, natural disasters, disease and other crises.

You will be inspired and heartened by O’Keefe's lecture as he recounts his Rambler years, when he was first introduced to the Jesuit call to be a man for others; discusses the role of the Church and faith-based organizations in shaping foreign policy and international humanitarianism; and shares examples of missions currently being carried out by CRS to address urgent humanitarian issues around the world.

Bill O'Keefe '80 is based at CRS headquarters in Baltimore, where he leads the agency's Division of Mission, Mobilization and Advocacy in its efforts to strengthen the agency's communion with the U.S. Catholic community and supportive entities; lead strategic, issue-based campaigns; and advocate for CRS strategic objectives. O'Keefe has served in various capacities for CRS since 1987 and has led CRS government-relations efforts since 2003. He received his BS from Yale and his MA in public policy international development from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.

Tuesday, October 1
9:15 to 9:45 a.m.— Coffee in the Marillac Room
10 to 11:30 a.m.— Lecture and Q&A session in the Loyola Theater
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.—Catered lunch in the Marillac Room

Complimentary valet parking available.