War legacies advocate delivers WVU Global Health Week 2024 keynote address
The West Virginia University School of Medicine Global Health Program welcomed Sera Koulabdara to campus as part of Global Health Week, Oct. 7-10. Her keynote address, “Legacies of War: History, Healing and Hope,” was held Monday, Oct. 7, from noon to 1 p.m. in Health Sciences Center. Koulabdara shared her family’s personal story, a brief history of U.S. wars in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, why it matters today, her organization’s work addressing its impacts, the U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines – U.S. Cluster Munition Coalition and how individuals can get involved.
Koulabdara serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Legacies of War, the only international U.S.-based advocacy and educational organization working to address the impacts of war including unexploded ordnance (UXO), victims assistance, explosive ordnance risk education and environmental impacts of contamination.
Under her leadership, U.S. funding for humanitarian demining is at its highest level in history – $264 million – with bipartisan support from Congress. She received the inaugural Award of Gratitude in 2024 and the 2022 Humanitarian Award given by the Lao People’s Democratic Republic for successful advocacy efforts in securing funds for bomb removal and victims assistance. She is also the recipient of the Unsung Heroes Award from Asian Hustle Network and the HEART Award from the Idaho Museum of International Diaspora (IMID) for extraordinary leadership.
Sera is relentless and has broken down barriers in establishments and spaces that lack the voice of someone who is directly impacted by the legacies of war. She earned a seat and became the first Lao-American to participate in the 20th Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Convention. By unanimous vote, Koulabdara was elected to serve as the chair of the U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munitions Coalition in January 2023. She is the first BIPOC, millennial and person with lived experience from an impacted country to take on this leadership role. She is also a founding member of the Global Leadership Council and the Southeast Asia Exhibit of the IMID. As a leading expert in mine action, she has been featured in USA Today, The Washington Post, NBC, Responsible Statecraft, Beyond Bombs and more.
Growing up in Laos, Koulabdara witnessed her father, Dr. Sith Koulabdara, operating on countless victims of cluster munitions accidents, including a little girl who attended the same school with her and shaped her passion for her roles today.
To learn more about Legacies of War and the important work they do, go to:https://www.legaciesofwar.org/
Dr. Larry Schwab/WVCBL hosted Sera for a welcome dinner. WVCBL thanks Sera and Legacies of War for their amazing dedication to a more just and peaceful world. Many thanks to Dr. Melanie Fischer and WVU Health Science Center for their dedication to Global Health issues.