United States
Get directions
Global Voices Speaking Tour 2026: Toward peace and climate resiliency in Southeast Asia and the Sahel
What is the connection between climate and peace? How does the changing climate drive conflict or make it worse? Can peacebuilding help communities become more climate resilient? Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and the Anabaptist Climate Collaborative (ACC) are hosting a Global Voices Speaking Tour in February 2026 to explore these questions.
The tour will feature two speakers from regions experiencing both the brunt of climate change and resource-related conflict: southeast Asia and the Sahel region in Africa. Dr. Arefur Rahaman, the MCC coordinator of food security and livelihoods in Bangladesh, and David Waiswa, the MCC East Africa and Sahel regional peace, advocacy and monitoring and evaluation coordinator, will share how communities are navigating unpredictable weather patterns, drought, flood, and heat, through climate adaptation and peacebuilding.
Join this unique opportunity to hear firsthand stories on the intersection of climate and peace. Be a prayerful witness to our global neighbors and learn how your own commitment to peace can make a difference.
The events:
(Check back periodically for updated events near you.)
Feb. 6 at 6:30pm: Pasadena Mennonite Church, Altadena, CA
Feb. 8 at 6:30pm: Willow Avenue Mennonite Church, Fresno, CA
Feb. 11 at 7:00pm: Albany Mennonite Church, Albany, OR
Feb. 12 at 6:30pm: Portland Mennonite Church, Portland, OR
Feb. 14 TBD: Colorado Springs/Denver, CO
Feb. 15 TBD: Boulder, CO
Feb. 16 at 11:00am: Bethel College Convocation, North Newton, KS
Feb. 16 at 2:30pm: Schowalter Villa Chapel, Hesston, KS
Feb. 18 at 10:00am: Goshen College Chapel, Goshen, IN
Feb. 19 TBD: Goshen, IN
Feb. 24 TBD: Akron, PA
The speakers:
Dr. Arefur Rahaman has been serving with MCC Bangladesh since 2003, contributing 22 years to the socio-economic development of marginalized rural communities. Holding a doctorate in agriculture entomology from the Bangladesh Agricultural University, Arefur is the Food Security and Livelihoods Coordinator for MCC Bangladesh. He resides in Bogra, northwest Bangladesh, and is a proud father of two children.
David Waiswa currently serves as the East Africa and Sahel Regional Peace, Advocacy, and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Coordinator with MCC. In this role, he provides technical guidance and strategic leadership to six country programs. David worked previously with the International Rescue Committee and co-founded the Center for Community Development and Coexistence in Uganda. He is happily married and blessed with a baby boy, Azaiah.