Combating Isolation: The Idea of a Right to Belong

In her recently published book, On Belonging: Finding Connection in an Age of Isolation, Kim Samuel, Founder of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness, explores the efforts of trailblazing individuals and organizations working across disciplines and continents to combat the barriers to fully and effectively participating in society faced by persons with disabilities, older persons, and many other historically marginalized groups. Samuel also puts forth a challenge to think about what a “right to belong,” reminiscent of Jacobus tenBroek’s conception of the “right to live in the world” and participatory justice for persons with disabilities, might mean in practice for these diverse communities. At this event, members of and advocates for several of these intersectional groups, including persons with intellectual disabilities, persons with psychosocial disabilities, and older persons, will reflect on what belonging and social connectedness mean for the diverse communities they represent.

Join us on Thursday, November 17th, from 12:15 to 1:30pm US Eastern in Wasserstein Hall, Room 2036 Milstein East C for a discussion of this timely book.

Boxed lunches and ASL interpretation will be provided.

Moderator:

Professor William Alford, HPOD’s Chair, Jerome A. & Joan L. Cohen Professor of Law, & Direct of the East Asian Legal Studies Program

Featured Guest:

Kim Samuel, Author of On Belonging & Founder of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness

Discussants:

Ambassador Luis Gallegos, Advance Leadership Initiative Fellow & Chairman of the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICT

Dr. Fengming Cui, HPOD’s China Program Director

Anne Fracht, HPOD’s Self-Advocacy Associate

Alex Green, HPOD Fellow & Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government

Reggie Clark, Self-Advocate & Institution Survivor