Event Details
When:
Wed, Nov 19, 2025, 11am - 12:20pm
Location:
Online: Zoom
In-Person at WWU
Fairhaven Auditorium
Price:
Free
Brought to you by:
Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies, The Ray Wolpow Institute, The Foundation for WWU & Alumni
Description
The Parents Circle - Families Forum is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization made up of over 800 bereaved families. Their common bond is that they have lost a close family member to the conflict. But instead of choosing revenge, they have chosen a path of reconciliation. Even since October 7th, 2023, its staff, members, and thousands of participants are still committed to peace and a way forward that centers around empathy and humanization. Join bereaved Israeli and Palestinian members of the Parents Circle as they share their stories of loss and their unique choice of reconciliation.
Please note the timing for this presentation is earlier than previous World Issues Forum presentations.
The World Issues Forum series is free and open to the public. Talks are held at 12:00pm in Fairhaven College Auditorium, on the top floor of the Fairhaven College main building to the rear (east) side. If you enter from the west entrance (halfway between the second and third floor facing parking lot 12A), take the half-flight of stairs to the left and continue to east side of the building from there. You'll see the door to the auditorium a little to your left.
Join us at WWU or online on Zoom!
World Issues Forum updates are available online.
The views expressed in the World Issues Forum do not necessarily reflect those of Western Washington University.
Featuring:
Layla Alsheikh lives in Bethlehem in the West Bank. In 2002, her 6 months old son, Qussay, became ill and Israeli soldiers prevented Layla from taking him to the hospital for more than five hours. Qussay soon died from the lack of timely treatment. Layla joined the Parents Circle in 2016. Following her son’s death, she never thought of revenge, but rather has devoted her time and energy to ensuring a better, more peaceful future for her children.
Robi Damelin, spokesperson and director of International Relations for the Parents Circle - Families Forum joined the organization after her son was killed by a Palestinian Sniper. All her work on the ground in Palestine, Israel, and internationally is geared towards non-violence and reconciliation as a means to end the occupation. Robi was named as a 2015 Woman of Impact by Women in the World.
Questions and Accommodations
- Your point of contact for this event is Fairhaven College. Call (360) 650-6680 or visit the World Issues Forum website.
- Advance notice for disability accommodations and special needs is appreciated. Please mention your needs when registering.
- There will be auto-captions for the Zoom webinar.
Visitor Parking at WWU on Weekdays
- Mon-Fri, 7:00am-4:30pm: limited paid parking is available at the south C lots and north 6V and 7G lots.
- Purchase your permit at the lot pay stations or use the Parkmobile app.
- More parking details for campus visitors are available online.
Parking at WWU on Weekdays for Visitors with Disabilities
- Mon-Fri, 7:00am-4:30pm: both a WWU permit and state disability placard are needed.
- Purchase your permit at the pay stations in lot C or 6V or use the Parkmobile app (use Zone 1200). This allows parking in any disability space. If these are full, you can use a non-reserved space nearby.
- More parking details for campus visitors with disabilities are available online.