Spirituality, Environmental Justice & Human Rights (Bruce Knotts)

Bruce Knotts was born and raised in California. He got his Bachelor's Degree in History from Pepperdine University and his Master's Degree in International Education from the Monterey Institute of International Studies; both in Cali-fornia. Bruce was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia. He worked for Raytheon in Saudi Arabia (1976-80) and on a World Bank contract in Somalia (1982-4), before he joined the Department of State as a U.S. diplomat in 1984. Bruce had diplomatic assignments in Greece, Zambia, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Sudan, Cote d'Ivoire and The Gambia, where he was Deputy Chief of Mission. While in Cote d'Ivoire, Bruce served as the Regional Ref-ugee Coordinator for West Africa covering 16 African nations from Mauritania to Nigeria, but focusing on the refugees from the conflicts in Sierra Leone, Liberia and later in Cote d'Ivoire itself. This was the assignment where Bruce had his most sustained contact with the UN system. He evaluated programs and recommended funding for UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF, UNDP, WHO and many NGOs (non-governmental organizations) working with refugees in West Africa. Bruce worked closely with several UN Special Representatives and observed UN peacekeeping operations in Sierra Leone from 2000-2003. In 2004, Bruce was elected to the Board of GLIFAA (Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies). Bruce retired from the Foreign Service in 2007 and joined the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office as its Executive Director at the beginning of 2008. Bruce has been a member of the UN NGO/DPI Executive Committee since October 2008. Bruce has been chair of the UN NGO Committee on Human Rights since June 2010 and of the Faith and Ethics Network for the International Criminal Court since April 2010. Bruce married Isaac Humphrie in Vancouver, Canada in August 2006. Isaac is from Dallas, Texas and he works for LDJ Productions which produces major fashion shows in New York and across the country.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• BIC
• human rights
• environmental justice
• spirituality