This lecture was established in beloved memory of University of Toronto philosophy professor, husband, father, and tireless peace advocate Dr. James Graff, founder of NECEF (Near East Cultural and Education Foundation), Canada’s earliest Middle East peace education NGO, now merged with Friends of Sabeel Canada. In October 2005, Jim was still teaching as well as actively working for peace before he died later that month.
Previous Lectures
Canadian Friends of Sabeel has been honoured to host these eminent Lecturers in Toronto:
2021 James Graff Memorial Lecture, “Turtle Island to Palestine: Settler-Colonialism, Resistance, and Solidarity” featured Alma Brooks and Dr. Rashid Khalidi. To view a recording of the lecture and see information about the speakers, visit this page.
Samah Sabawi is an award-winning playwright, poet, political analyst and human rights advocate. She has written and produced the critically acclaimed plays Cries from the Land, Three Wishes, and Tales of a City by the Sea. She has co-authored the books: Journey to Peace in Palestine, and I Remember by Name: Poetry by Samah Sabawi which won the prestigious 2016 Palestine Book Awards. For more information, visit this page.
- 2018 Memorial Lecture by Dr Tarek Loubani – Nov 29
- Professor Michael Lynk (2017-2018)
(Watch the lecture on YouTube at https://youtu.be/dxFxbbc52u8) - Dr. Rafeef Ziadah (2016-2017)
- Dr. Sara Roy (2015-2016)
- Rev. Dr. Naim Ateek (2013-2014)
- Afif Safieh (2012-2013)
- Dr. Marc Ellis (2011-2012)
- Phyllis Bennis (2010-2011)
- Professor Richard Falk (2009-2010)
- Professor John Mearsheimer (2008-2009)
- Dr. Mustafa Barghouti (2007-2008)