Bellagio Bulletin / Bellagio Bulletin

Bellagio Bulletin: April 2024

Welcome to the April 2024 edition of the Bellagio Bulletin! This issue is packed with stories of human progress and ingenuity as Bellagio alumni dare to take on the biggest challenges in their fields.

In this edition, you will meet Akin Omotoso, a visionary Nigerian-South African filmmaker on a quest to unearth and tell the greatest stories. Read how he builds on his family’s storytelling legacy to craft narratives that delve into the complexities of human relationships, social issues, and cultural dynamics. 

You will discover insights from Kristina Skierka, a leader in the movement to center women in developing climate solutions and decision-making. “Women don’t need to be empowered; we need to be in power,” she says. 

You will read about Ron Law’s groundbreaking work to enable climate-friendly health facilities in the Philippines and discover his reflections on the country’s leadership in addressing climate change and health inequities as one cross-sector challenge.

Finally, you will meet Robert Barsky, a former resident uncovering Bellagio’s role in enabling the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, which still governs international refugee law today. Robert discusses the treaty’s significance in the modern context and explores a deep feeling of connection to the negotiators as part of the Bellagio community.

Bellagio Announcements

  • Next Week: April 22

    #RFBreakthrough Livestream:
    Health Care Takes On Climate Change

    Our next session of #RFBreakthrough will feature an unprecedented number of fellow Bellagio alumni. You’re invited to join Josh Karliner, Mary Nichols, Reema Nanavaty, and Shweta Narayan as they discuss the SSIR Spring Edition cover article Health Care Takes on Climate Change, authored by Josh.
  • Save the date: May 23

    TED Salon: The Rockefeller Foundation

    On May 23, The Rockefeller Foundation will host its first ever TED Salon, which will showcase the “big bets” of eight former Bellagio Center Residents, as well as feature performances from two alumni artists. The event will feature non-profit leaders, journalists, academics, architects, and musicians - on the big bets they are advancing in the world. Meet the speakers and learn more.
  • Save the date: May 1

    Convening Open Call for Applications

    The Bellagio Center Convening Program will be accepting applications starting on May 1st! If you would like to be notified when the application period launches, please add your email address to our notification list.
  • in the news

    Bellagio Network in the News

    Discover recent headlines featuring Bellagio alumni: Priyamvada Natarajan, Payal Arora, José Luis Chicoma, Maria S. Floro, Lesly Goh, Sam Gregory, Rachel Kadish, Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, Somini Sengupta, Lina Srivastava, Darius Brubeck, and Linda Mullenix.
  • Perspectives Blog

    Strengthening Ideas Through the Wisdom of a Brain Trust

    The world's challenges demand collaborative solutions. The Brain Trust fosters connections among participants to share experiences and ideas. This networking approach recognizes that no single leader or organization can solve global issues alone. By tapping into diverse networks, the Brain Trust aims to accelerate the impact of innovative ideas and promote collective action.

The People and Ideas of Bellagio

Bellagio Library

Welcome, New Network Members!

We’d like to welcome the newest members of the Bellagio alumni community: Tahir Amin, Sama Alshaibi, Javiera Barandiaran, Chandana Baksi, Gioconda Belli, Nicholas Bequelin, Melody Cooper, Kristen Crowell, Bridget Crawford, George Fatheree, Karen Florini, Asha Kanwar, Anuradha Kapoor, Bradley Hiller, Anne Hallward, Alice Hill, Roland Kupers, Kim Leary, Peggy Levitt, Maria Leonor (Leni) Robredo, Glorimar Marrero-Sánchez, An Michels, Erica Milsom, Joel Nana, C.J. Obasi, Tosin Oshinowo, Frederica Perera, Michele Pistone, Pamela Ronald, Karen Sack, Trebor Scholz, Patrick Sharkey, Bright Simons, Susan Zieger, and Clarence Wardell.

“Bellagio”
a Poem Written by Josh Karliner While in Residence

I slip out to play at dusk

A mirror surface

Reflects the world

Boundless sky

Magnificent hues

Gliding through reflection

Ephemeral forest and stone

A shimmering chimera conceals

The darkness below

A well of geologic time

Stretching back before the

Depths of memory begin

Laden with pocked ruins

Of human history

The follies and brilliance of

poets and philosophers

charlatans and countesses

presidents and prelates

The bell tolls

In the distance, thunder rumbles

A bolt of lightning pierces the sky

Portending an uncertain future.

Or is it?

In this most present moment

My paddle makes but a

Tiny, single ripple…

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