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Norwich University’s College of Graduate and Continuing Studies is honored to announce that Nazanin Afshin-Jam, an award-winning international human rights activist and Master of Arts in Diplomacy graduate, will deliver the university’s 2017 Commencement address to approximately 500 graduating students on Friday, June 23.

Born in Tehran in 1979, as an infant Afshin-Jam fled the Islamic revolution with her family after her non-political father was arrested, tortured and nearly executed. She has gone on to become an international human rights activist, singer/songwriter, actor, Miss World Canada and Miss World first runner-up in 2003 and president and co-founder of Stop Child Executions organization. Her fame has given her the platform to raise awareness and funds for the Bam Earthquake, the 2004 Tsunami, Fistula patients in Ethiopia, Variety the Children’s Charity, youth advocacy to bridge the digital divide, and a movement to stop bear bile farming in Asia.

Winner of several human rights awards, Afshin-Jam is co-founder of the Stop Child Executions to halt the practice in Iran and in the handful of other countries where it still continues. She is also the co-author of “The Tale of Two Nazanins,” and she has released a multilingual album “Someday,” charting hits in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. She was appointed to the board of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation to help eliminate racism and discrimination in Canada.

The June 23 commencement ceremony concludes a weeklong annual residency conference of approximately 500 students representing 11 online graduate programs and three bachelor’s degree completion programs at Norwich University’s College of Graduate and Continuing Studies. Gathering from across the country and around the globe under the theme of “Leading Today, Inspiring Tomorrow,” these Norwich students will come together for a week of capstone and culminating academic work and conferences.