2026 Borah Symposium to explore resilience and the human cost of conflict

MOSCOW, Idaho — The 2026 Borah Symposium will explore “The Human Cost of Conflict: War and Resilience” during events Monday, Sept. 28, Tuesday, Sept. 29, and Wednesday, Dec. 2, at University of Idaho.

Ongoing high-intensity conflicts around the world challenge international efforts to protect people and their property. This year’s symposium will examine human suffering during conflicts and offer stories of resilience and recovery.  

“Amid ongoing wars, it is as important as ever to understand the effects on civilians during and after active conflicts,” said Andrew Nelson, chair of the Borah Committee and director of the Center for Forest Nursery and Seedling Research. “The Borah Committee selected this year’s theme to critically evaluate how armed conflict affects survivors, the responsibilities nation-states involved in conflict have to civilians and the role aid agencies play during and after conflict.”  

The symposium opens with a keynote by Laurie R. Blank, director of the International Humanitarian Law Clinic at Emory University School of Law, and former special counsel to the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Defense.  

“With conflicts around the world making headlines every day, we felt it was important to draw the focus to the human impact and stories of resilience that can often be lost,” said Annika Silk, a student member of the Borah Committee. “Those who have lived through war and conflict provide key insights into the pathway out of them, and this year's symposium will provide a wonderful platform for sharing those insights.”

This year’s closing keynote address will be held on Dec. 2 and will feature Nadia Murad, 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, human rights activist and founder of Nadia’s Initiative, a community-driven, survivor-centric nonprofit organization that promotes long-term peacebuilding. 

“The Borah Foundation hopes that with this slate of speakers and schedule of events, we communicate clearly that even in war, humanity matters,” said Bill L. Smith, director of the Borah Foundation.

Each year, the Borah Foundation sponsors the Borah Symposium, which brings together world leaders, diplomats, scholars, activists and local communities to discuss the causes of war and the conditions for peace.  

Monday, Sept. 28

• Opening keynote address presented by Laurie R. Blank, 7 p.m., Bruce M. Pitman Center International Ballroom

Tuesday, Sept. 29

• Renfrew Colloquium: “The Human Cost of Conflict: War and Resilience,” presented by Randi Movich, nursing activity manager at Doctors Without Borders, 12:30 p.m., Bruce M. Pitman Center Vandal Ballroom
• Documentary screening: “Love+War,” a 2025 documentary following Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Lynsey Addario, 7 p.m., Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, 508 S. Main St., Moscow

Wednesday, Dec. 2

• Keynote address, presented by Nadia Murad, 7 p.m., Bruce M. Pitman Center International Ballroom

Additional information is available at go.uidaho.edu/borah.  

Media contact

Romuald K. Afatchao 
Associate director, Martin Institute 
Clinical professor, International Studies 
208-885-5735 
afatchao@uidaho.edu