Dr. Claudia Fuentes-Julio

Dr. Claudia Fuentes-Julio (Assistant Professor in Peace Studies) will be assuming a new role as Chilean Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva starting June 1, 2022.

“[Dr. Fuentes-Julio] Claudia has always been a scholar-practitioner of human rights and it speaks volumes of not only her commitment and ability, but also the acute vision of the new President of Chile for her to have been appointed as the Ambassador to the UN’s Human Rights Council in Geneva. While Claudia will be sorely missed in the department, we are delighted to support her in her new position where she is certain to make a direct and significant impact,” said Dr. Hilmi Ulas, Assistant Professor in Peace Studies and Interim Chair.

Chile is one of the founding members of the United Nations and it is committed to supporting and working with UN agencies to promote peace, development, and the protection of human rights and the environment.

“I am tremendously honored by this appointment and committed to work with a government that has a domestic and international agenda in which social justice and the protection of human rights is at the core of its policies,” said Dr. Fuentes-Julio. She will serve as ambassador for the next four years.

Several UN bodies and specialized agencies are based in Geneva. Dr. Fuentes-Julio will be working with organizations such as  the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Human Rights Council, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN Environment Program, the World Health Organization, International Organization for Migration, the International Labor Organization, and the Conference on Disarmament. Also headquartered in Geneva are important organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

“Geneva is a global center for debating, negotiating, and setting international standards for humanitarian protection and human rights,” she said.

Although she’s moving to Geneva, Fuentes-Julio does plan to stay connected with her Wilkinson College colleagues and looks forward to ongoing collaboration to support students.

“Faculty across the College have been impressed with her contributions to campus panels, various strategy meetings, and the mentoring of students,” said Dr. Lisa Leitz, Associate Professor of Peace Studies. “Personally, I will miss getting to work with such a gracious and principled colleague. We are grateful that Dr. Fuentes-Julio will remain affiliated with Chapman University, providing important international connections for our students and alumni.”

“I have met an exciting and powerful community of students, academics and administrators devoted to the search for knowledge, creativity, and discovery and with a sense of responsibility toward their community and a strong commitment to social justice. I plan to take these inspiring ideas and powerful sense of social responsibility to my work in Geneva,” Dr. Claudia Fuentes-Julio..