Duluth, MN — This year's lecture centers around Maya Activism and Social Justice Movement in Belize, and will feature UMD alumna and UN Equator Prize Recipient Cristina Coc.
Join us to hear Cristina's presentation on "Maya Activism and Social Justice Movement in Belize," where she will discuss the Maya land rights struggle and its implications for global change.
This event is free and open to the public (no ticket required) but registration is requested.
Cristina Coc grew up in Belize and earned a bachelor's degree in biology at UMD in 2008. She returned to Belize and founded the Julian Cho Society (JCS), a nongovernmental organization in Belize that advocates for Maya People, promoting education, justice and sustainable development. Among her accomplishments, Cristina was instrumental in uniting 41 Maya communities to support a successful land rights lawsuit, work that earned her and the Maya Leaders Alliance the prestigious United Nations Development Programme’s Equator Prize. In addition, Cristina is also being honored with a University of Minnesota Outstanding Achievement Award.
The 2023 Overman Distinguished Speaker Series is presented by the UMD Chancellor's Office with collaboration of the Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities subcommittee. The Ben and Jeanne Overman Distinguished Speaker Series was established to provide free opportunities for students and the community to learn from experts in their field.
