HOUSTON, TX—May 7, 2009 Judge Thomas Buergenthal came to the United States at the age of 17 after spending years in Nazi camps, including Auschwitz and Sachsenhausen. Shaped by his experience as a Holocaust survivor, he is now one of the most influential voices in international and human rights law. Judge Buergenthal will share his experiences of that unforgettable time in history and the lessons they hold for us at a World Affairs Council presentation on Thursday, May 7. 

This program is in partnership with the Holocaust Museum of Houston, United Nations Association- USA Houston, Houston Bar Association and the University of Houston Law Center.

Judge Buergenthal is the U.S. judge on the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Before joining the Court in 2000, he was a law professor at George Washington University and has also been a law professor at University of Texas, Emory and the American University where he was also Dean of the law school.  Judge Buergenthal has served on the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, the UN Truth Commission for El Salvador, and as Director of the Human Rights Program of the Carter Center of Emory University. Judge Buergenthal is a graduate of Bethany College, New York University Law School, and holds LL.M. and S.J.D. degrees from the Harvard Law School. 

He is well published on the subjects of international law and international human rights topics. His recent autobiographical work: A Lucky Child: A Memoir of Surviving Auschwitz as a Young Boy is a best seller in Europe and was recently published in the United States. 

Event Details:  Thursday, May 7th, 2009 Westin Galleria, Plaza Ballroom

5060 West Alabama, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m., this event is free and open to public. Registration required.

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Media Contact: Kirsten Davis, media@wachouston.org  (713) 522-7811

The World Affairs Council presents all sides of current global issues, promotes better understanding of international relations and contributes to national and international policy debates. Membership is open to the public. Go to www.wachouston.org for more information.