The director of Harvard’s François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Mary Bassett, will step down in January after seven impactful years. Andrea Baccarelli, dean of the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, made the announcement amid ongoing criticism regarding the center’s Palestine Program for Health and Human Rights.
Bassett’s last day will be January 9, 2026. Post-resignation, she will continue as a professor in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department. Meanwhile, Kari Nadeau, a professor focused on climate and population studies, will take over as interim director.
The center plans to shift its efforts toward children’s health. Baccarelli emphasized that by concentrating on a single area, they hope to create greater impact. This new direction comes after a period of scrutiny around the center’s Palestine program, particularly following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Critics, including former Harvard president Larry Summers, raised concerns about the program’s portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Historically, the center’s program collaborated with Birzeit University in the West Bank, but Harvard chose not to renew this partnership earlier this year. A report released by Harvard addressed complaints from students who felt the program’s webinars painted a one-sided view of Israel. One student’s comment captured this sentiment, stating that the programming gave the impression that “Israel exists solely to oppress Palestinians.”
This shift in focus raises questions about how advocacy and health initiatives balance complex global issues while aiming for constructive dialogue. As we navigate these topics, understanding varying perspectives enhances our collective awareness and fosters richer discussions.
For those interested in health and human rights, this transition at the FXB Center could provide new opportunities and raise important questions within both academic and public forums. For more insights on the evolving landscape of health and human rights education, check out the recent findings from the Harvard Global Health Institute.
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