Lt.-Gen. Romeo Dallaire will return to Prince George next spring.
The Canadian humanitarian and best-selling author, best known for his work advocating for genocide prevention and human rights, will headline the next Dr. Bob Ewert Memorial Lecture and Dinner on April 11.
The 11th annual event honours Ewert as the first medical specialist in Prince George and is a major fundraiser for the Northern Medical Programs Trust, which supports students in healthcare studies at UNBC.
A solider for more than three decades, Dallaire was a force commander of the United Nations assistance mission for Rwanda in 1994 that witnessed the genocide that killed 800,000 Rwandans in less than 100 days. Defying commands to withdraw, Dallaire stayed in Rwanda and, with a small military force, assisted those seeking help from UN forces.
After a nine-year stint in the Canadian Senate in May, Dallaire has focused on raising awareness for the prevention of war atrocities, mental health and war-affected children. He received an honorary doctor of laws degree from UNBC in 2013.
"Romeo Dallaire is a true Canadian hero whose courage and dedication to helping those in dire need has been an inspiration to many, both in Canada and around the world," said Dr. David Nelson, president of the Northern Medical Society. "His harrowing first-hand experiences and ongoing human rights activism across the globe will offer a compelling keynote address at the next Ewert Dinner."
Each year, the event, held at the Prince George Civic Centre, features a lecturer and inductions into the Northern Medical Society Hall of Fame. Previous lecturers include environmentalist David Suzuki, journalist Gwynn Dyer and this year's keynote speaker astronaut Chris Hadfield.
A Rising Star award is also handed out to a current student planning to pursue a health care career in the north.
"The Ewert lecture is the largest annual appeal for the Northern Medical Programs Trust at UNBC," said Kathie Scouten, UNBC development manager. "The trust supports medical and nurse practitioner students with exposure to rural practice in northern communities, helping to inspire future graduates to consider careers in the north."
To date, the trust has handed out 370 grants to help more than 200 students.
Tickets to the event cost $125 each or $1,000 for a table of 10. They are available from the Office of Development at UNBC at 250-960-5750, online at www.unbc.ca/giving or by emailing [email protected].
