Jan Egeland, a native of Norway, was a Fulbright scholar and law student while residing at International House, Berkeley in 1983.  In the years since, he has distinguished himself as an active leader in humanitarian, human rights and peace work through the United Nations, the Norwegian Government, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and other non-governmental and academic institutions.  Appointed as the United Nations Undersecretary for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Response in 2003, Mr. Egeland helped oversee the UN response to the Asian Tsunami of 2004, and has published a number of reports, studies and articles on conflict resolution, humanitarian affairs and human rights.  International House is especially honored to confer the title of Alumnus of the Year to Mr. Egeland in 2005, which marks the start of the House's 2005-2006 75th Anniversary Celebration.

Jan Egeland, 2005 I-House Alumnus of the Year

Some of the luncheon attendees included:

• Dr. Abdelkader Abbadi (IH 1963-67), former UN Deputy Director of Political and Security Council Affairs
• Julianne Cartwright Traylor (IH 1968-69), former chair, board of directors for Amnesty International (first African-American woman to hold this position )
• Rita Maran, Professor of Human Rights, University of California, Berkeley
• Peter Robertson, chair, International House 75th Anniversary Campaign Leadership Committee

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