The UNESCO Chair in Comparative Human Rights is proud to announce the appointment of Lorna Gonsalves as Associate Executive Director and Director of Global Outreach of the Institute of Comparative Human Rights. Dr. Gonsalves, who has dedicated her career to challenging social injustice and promoting human rights across the United States and internationally, comes to the Institute with an impressive array of accomplishments.

Most recently, she was the architect of a Washington, D.C. based National Campaign to Promote Racial Justice. Under her Directorship, more than 200 cities from 48 states joined in collaborative efforts to chart and successfully work on an agenda for harmonious race relations. Prior to heading up the Campaign, Dr. Gonsalves served as Associate Provost for Diversity at Bowling Green State University, Ohio where she also taught Sociology and Ethnic Studies. During her tenure there she spearheaded Breaking the Silence, a program that brought together members of the campus and city communities to consider the largely unspoken realities of local racism. She produced a documentary video outlining the yearlong initiative, and then-Ohio Governor George Voinovich publicly recognized the program for its outstanding contribution to enhancing race relations in the state.

Her approach to building bridges between people of different backgrounds is interdisciplinary and action-oriented. She combines the methods and insights of sociology, psychology, art, education, drama, and Ethnic Studies, among other disciplines. She has distinguished herself as a teacher, university administrator, and community organizer, garnering numerous awards and accolades along the way.

Raised in the four major cities of India, Dr. Gonsalves came to the United States in 1972. Her academic background includes a diploma in Opera Performance, an undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology, a master's degree in Counseling, and a Ph. D. in Sociology.

Dr. Gonsalves can be reached at (860) 486-0647 or ancadm01@uconnvm.uconn.edu