Irene Perurena, M.A. ’91, of Panama was honored on April 15 with the Kroc Institute’s 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award. A former Fulbright scholar, Irene graduated from Notre Dame with master’s degrees in peace studies and government.
She delivered her lecture, “Connecting Partners for Peace,” in Notre Dame’s Hesburgh Center Auditorium.
As Director of International Organizations and Cooperation for Ciudad del Saber (City of Knowledge), Perurena recruits, connects, and supports nongovernmental organizations that focus on humanitarian aid, human rights, peace, conflict resolution, and human development. The Ciudad occupies a complex that until 1999 was a military base for U.S. soldiers assigned to protect the Panama Canal.
Irene has been a longtime human rights advocate and educator. She has served as a consultant for the Presidency of the Republic of Panama and has held many other positions related to peace and justice. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Santa Maria la Antigua University in Panama.
Contact: Joan Fallon, (574) 631-8819, jfallon2@nd.edu