Lee Ann De Reus is co-founder of Panzi Foundation USA and an Associate Professor of Human Development & Family Studies and Women Studies at Pennsylvania State University-Altoona. As a scholar activist, she travels regularly to Panzi Hospital in eastern DR Congo to conduct research, develop programs for rape survivors, and inform her advocacy work in the U.S. In Rwanda she conducts a PSU service project with vulnerable children and widows from the 1994 genocide.

Dr. De Reus is a 2009 Carl Wilkens Fellow and the recipient of numerous awards from Penn State University including the prestigious George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Spirit of Internationalization Award given in honor of her commitment to global service and outreach. She is the co-founder/director of several non-profits and groups including Panzi Hospital Foundation USA (www.panzifoundation.org) in support of Panzi Hospital, Beza Kids in support of Rwandan children and widows, and The Genocide Relief Project, a local community-based anti-genocide advocacy, education and aid organization.

Dr. De Reus is a featured activist in John Prendergast’s book, The Enough Moment: Fighting to End Africa’s Worst Human Rights Crimes and a frequent guest speaker about the crisis for women in the DR Congo and global activism.

7th Annual Audrey-Beth Fitch Conference Schedule (tentative)
International Violence Against Women: The Political is Personal

Presenters

9:30 a.m.

Presenter: Denise V. Holtz, FBI Pittsburgh
Topic: Human Trafficking in the United States

12:30 p.m.

Keynote Speaker - Dr. Lee Ann De Reus
Title: Against All Odds: Stories of Hope and Survival in the Democratic Republic of Congo

"Rape capital of the world." This is a common description of eastern DR Congo. Why? This presentation will explore the complexities contributing to rampant sexual violence and give voice to survivors. Based on research at Panzi Hospital, Dr. De Reus will share inspiring messages of hope, courage, and resilience from these remarkable women, children and men.

2 p.m.

Activists in Action
A Panel of Activists will speak about their experiences with Activism then offer an experiential session where attendees get involved as Activists. (Dr. Marta McClintock-Comeaux, Cal U’s Activist Club, Additional Cal U Faculty and Staff)

3:30 p.m.

CALL+RESPONSE is a first of its kind feature documentary film that reveals the world's 27 million dirtiest secrets: there are more slaves today than ever before in human history. CALL+RESPONSE goes deep undercover where slavery is thriving from the child brothels of Cambodia to the slave brick kilns of rural India to reveal that in 2009, Slave Traders made more money than Google, Nike and Starbucks combined.

Luminaries on the issue such as Cornel West, Madeleine Albright, Daryl Hannah, Julia Ormond, Ashley Judd, Nicholas Kristof, and many other prominent political and cultural figures offer first hand account of this 21st century trade. Performances from Grammy-winning and critically acclaimed artists including Moby, Natasha Bedingfield, Cold War Kids, Matisyahu, Imogen Heap, Talib Kweli, Five For Fighting, Switchfoot, members of Nickel Creek and Tom Petty's Heartbreakers, Rocco Deluca move this chilling information into inspiration for stopping it.

Music is part of the movement against human slavery. Dr. Cornel West connects the music of the American slave fields to the popular music we listen to today, and offers this connection as a rallying cry for the modern abolitionist movement currently brewing.

There is a sea of change happening in human rights activism. The world's issues cannot be solved alone by governments and non-profits, but require community-based participation. As a feature film, CALL+RESPONSE has the unique position of being not only a ground-breaking genre-bending film, but also serves as a deft tool in the hands of 21st Century Abolitionists. The film provide activists with tactile strategic online and mobile tools to fight slavery everyday.  The film advocates this is a fight that must that is won with passion, innovation, and commitment.

Holiday Inn Express - Bentleyville location

25 Smita Lane, Bentleyville, PA 15314

(724) 239-7700