November is an important and reflective time for Eelam Tamils. We observe Maveerar Naal/Tamil Heroes Remembrance Day in late November, which is a somber and reflective time for the community to remember the sacrifices of those who sought freedom and respect from their oppressors, and the immense sadness and loss we feel in their absence. Maveerar Naal is the time we take to memorialize genocide, and to come together as a community to grieve, reflect, and commemorate.

Join PEARL in conversation with Samantha Lakin on Friday, November 6th in the second iteration of PEARL's Understanding Genocide series. In this session, we will explore understandings of genocide and the importance of memory and memorialization for communities healing from these egregious crimes.

Samantha Lakin
Samantha Lakin, M.A., is an advanced Ph.D. candidate at The Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Clark University, USA. She was formerly a Graduate Research Fellow at the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School and a Fulbright Scholar in Rwanda (2017-2018) and Switzerland (2011-2012). Samantha conducts research and analysis on genocide. Her dissertation focuses on documening and analyzing local perspectives of memory and transitional justice in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. She has expertise in access to justice in post-conflict settings, with specific knowledge and experience working in Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region of Africa. Samantha has published scholarly work in numerous academic journals and news outlets, including her first book titled "Heroines of Vichy France: Rescuing French Jews During the Holocaust" co-authored with Paul R. Bartop. She holds a Masters of Arts in International Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School at Tufts University. You can learn more about Samantha here: https://samanthalakin.com/.

*Time Zones:

10.30 EST (Toronto), 15.30 (UK), 16:00 (Berlin), 20:00 (Kilinochchi), 00:30 Friday (Sydney)