The last five years have illuminated our growing global interconnectedness: from the pandemic to volatile food prices and shortages to global tech outages. As we enter the second quarter of the twenty-first century, the twin threats of climate change and conflict are now converging with urgent global consequences for all: destruction of food systems and livelihoods; mass displacement and migration; and fierce competition over depleting natural resources. This convergence has unraveled decades of progress and strained our global systems to their breaking point. It is no coincidence that the world’s most worrisome hotspots are mired in conflict alongside the worst real-time impacts of climate change. Our hotter and more hostile world requires a bold new agenda for a shared humanity. Neither conflict nor climate change can be ignored or addressed by individual nations acting alone and in self-interest. Neither can we address climate change or conflict separately, as if they are somehow disconnected global challenges with divergent impacts and solutions. We must come together and partner with those most impacted by conflict and on the frontlines of climate change to forge innovative, cross-sector solutions born from communities themselves to build a better world where everyone can thrive.

Speaker

Tjada D'Oyen McKenna, Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Corps

Moderator

Melani Cammett, Director, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Chair, Weatherhead Research Cluster on Identity Politics; Clarence Dillon Professor of International Affairs, Department of Government, Harvard University.

Bio

As Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Corps, Tjada leads a team of 6,000+ humanitarians who provide immediate relief and help communities forge new paths to prosperity in the face of disaster, conflict, poverty, and climate change, reaching twenty-nine million people in forty-plus countries in 2023. Tjada's previous work includes roles at CARE, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the US Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Food Security, and McKinsey & Company. Tjada earned a BA and MBA from Harvard. When she’s not working, Tjada enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

This event will be in person and streamed live on our YouTube channel. Please plan on being seated by 4:45 p.m. as the event will start promptly at 5:00 p.m. The lecture will be followed by a public reception. Wine and cheese will be provided in the CGIS South concourse outside Tsai Auditorium.

For more information about the Jodidi Lecture, see our page on the Samuel L. and Elizabeth Jodidi Lecture Series.