War legacies advocate to deliver WVU Global Health Week keynote address
The West Virginia University School of Medicine Global Health Program will welcome Sera Koulabdara to campus as part of Global Health Week, Oct. 7-10. Her keynote address, “Legacies of War: History, Healing and Hope,” is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 7, from noon to 1 p.m. in Health Sciences Center North room 1909 (HSC indoor map) and via Zoom.
Throughout the presentation, Koulabdara will share her family’s personal story, a brief history of U.S. wars in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, why it matters today, her organization’s work addressing its impacts, the U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines – U.S. Cluster Munition Coalition and how individuals can get involved.
Koulabdara serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Legacies of War, the only international U.S.-based advocacy and educational organization working to address the impacts of war including unexploded ordnance (UXO), victims assistance, explosive ordnance risk education and environmental impacts of contamination.
Under her leadership, U.S. funding for humanitarian demining is at its highest level in history – $264 million – with bipartisan support from Congress. She received the inaugural Award of Gratitude in 2024 and the 2022 Humanitarian Award given by the Lao People's Democratic Republic for successful advocacy efforts in securing funds for bomb removal and victims assistance. She is also the recipient of the Unsung Heroes Award from Asian Hustle Network and the HEART Award from the Idaho Museum of International Diaspora (IMID) for extraordinary leadership.
She is relentless and has broken down barriers in establishments and spaces that lack the voice of someone who is directly impacted by the legacies of war. She earned a seat and became the first Lao-American to participate in the 20th Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Convention. By unanimous vote, Koulabdara was elected to serve as the chair of the U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munitions Coalition in January 2023. She is the first BIPOC, millennial and person with lived experience from an impacted country to take on this leadership role. She is also a founding member of the Global Leadership Council and the Southeast Asia Exhibit of the IMID. As a leading expert in mine action, she has been featured in USA Today, The Washington Post, NBC, Responsible Statecraft, Beyond Bombs and more.
Growing up in Laos, Koulabdara witnessed her father, Dr. Sith Koulabdara, operating on countless victims of cluster munitions accidents, including a little girl who attended the same school with her and shaped her passion for her roles today.
The event is open to the public, and all WVU students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Lunch will be provided on a first come, first served basis.
In addition to the keynote address, the campus community is invited to attend additional Global Health Week events throughout the week.
Tuesday, Oct. 8
- “Reducing Barriers to Health Care for Immigrants in West Virginia” by Alison Peck, J.D., LL.M., Professor of Law and Director of the Immigration Law Clinic, WVU College of Law; noon to 1 p.m.; HSC-North 1909 and Zoom
Wednesday, Oct. 9
- “Global Dentistry and Cultural Competence Training: U.S. and Bulgarian Perceptions” by Chris Ivanoff, DDS, Professor of Restorative Dentistry, WVU School of Dentistry; “Nursing Care and Education in Cyprus” by Braeden Thornton, Student, WVU School of Nursing; noon to 1 p.m.; HSC-North 1905 and Zoom
Thursday, Oct. 10
- “Experience in the Field” by Internal Medicine Global Health Track Residents, WVU School of Medicine; noon to 1 p.m.; HSC-North 1905 and Zoom
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