We’ll be updating this page with pictures and tweets live during the event. Be sure to check back for the latest!
President Bill Clinton and the international human rights education organization Tostan will be awarded the seventh biennial Thomas J. Dodd Prize in International Justice and Human Rights at the University of Connecticut on October 15.
The Prize is awarded to an individual or an organization that has “made a substantial and significant contribution to the protection, promotion, or realization of human rights somewhere in the world,” said Dr. Glenn Mitoma, Director of the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
While the recipient is usually determined by nominations, President Clinton was chosen for his history at UConn. He attended the dedication of the Dodd Center in 1995, and the committee felt that his record over the past 20 years made him a deserving candidate.
The organization recipient, Tostan, works with The Clinton Foundation’s Global Initiative. Tostan’s approach, called the Community Empowerment Program, utilizes non-formal education sessions and interconnected groups and social networks to have a positive impact in the areas of health, education, governance and economic growth in francophone West Africa.
7:03 p.m.
"We're prone to self destruction. Denying global warming, denying what the Nazis were doing…" – @billclinton
— WHUS Radio (@whusradio) October 15, 2015
7:00 p.m.
"Everything around you permits every one of you to be a human rights activist." – @billclinton
— Charlie Smart (@CharlieRSmart) October 15, 2015
6:51 p.m.
"It is about the empowerment of people in an interdependent world to share the future. Our future." – @billclinton
— WHUS Radio (@whusradio) October 15, 2015
6:45 p.m.
"@jboelwerth: "Those of us who care about these things (human rights) have to support places like the Dodd Center," Clinton said @UConn.
— UConn (@UConn) October 15, 2015
6:43 p.m.
"Be seized with the notion that ordinary people can make a difference" —@billclinton #UConn @DoddCenter
— Mary Banas (@marybanas) October 15, 2015
6:38 p.m.
"This is a troubling time because there are so many blatant examples of human rights abuses. Most recently by ISIS." – @billclinton
— WHUS Radio (@whusradio) October 15, 2015
6:32 p.m.
"I spent $3 billion of your money to finish the sequencing of the human genome." – @billclinton on how all humans should have same rights.
— WHUS Radio (@whusradio) October 15, 2015
6:29 p.m.
Clinton begins his speech by thanking Sen. Chris Dodd for his years of work and friendship.
— WHUS Radio (@whusradio) October 15, 2015
President Bill Clinton takes the stage to receive the Dodd Prize.
— WHUS Radio (@whusradio) October 15, 2015
6:14 p.m.
Everyone has right to be free from discrimination, violence, right to education, work. – @Tostan Founder Molly Melching
— WHUS Radio (@whusradio) October 15, 2015
6:05 p.m.
Tostan founder Molly Melching takes the stage to accept the Dodd Award on behalf of the organization. #ClintonAtUConn
— WHUS Radio (@whusradio) October 15, 2015
5:54 p.m.
Dodd praises Clinton for Family and Medical Leave act. #UConn
— Jeremy Pressman (@djpressman) October 15, 2015
5:48 p.m.
"It was Oct. 15, 1995 that sitting President Bill Clinton came to UConn." -Sen. Chris Dodd
— WHUS Radio (@whusradio) October 15, 2015
Sen. Chris Dodd is the next speaker. The Dodd award is named for his father, Thomas J. Dodd.
— WHUS Radio (@whusradio) October 15, 2015
5:41 p.m.
The ceremony has begun with remarks from UConn Provost Mun Choi. #ClintonAtUConn
— WHUS Radio (@whusradio) October 15, 2015
5:38 p.m.
The balcony area is nearly full, but seats still remain open on the ground level. No update on when the ceremony will begin.
— WHUS Radio (@whusradio) October 15, 2015
5:06 p.m.
Hanging out w @UConn_USG @Jorgensen_UConn Looking forward to Clinton’s remarks! pic.twitter.com/kDcPKKYIFH
— Eleanor JB Daugherty (@EllyJBDaugherty) October 15, 2015
The Jorgensen is getting set for President Bill Clinton’s arrival in less then 2 hours pic.twitter.com/eh67H5Wmt0
— Julia Werth (@jboelwerth) October 15, 2015
We’ll be live tweeting Bill Clinton’s speech at UConn this evening. Have something you want to say? Use #ClintonAtUConn so we see it!
— WHUS Radio (@whusradio) October 15, 2015