Jody Williams | Speaker

Championing Peace, Justice, and Equality on the Global Stage

Jody Williams’ unwavering dedication to securing a global ban on landmines and creating a programme to support mine victims is nothing short of inspiring. As a keynote speaker, her passion for promoting peace, fairness, and women’s rights shines through in everything she does, making her one of the best keynote speakers on these critical issues. This Vermont girl’s winding path to becoming a Nobel Peace Prize laureate exemplifies her determination and resilience.

Jody Williams generally travels the world to advocate for justice and equality, leaving an enduring impact wherever she goes. Her ability to connect with virtually any audience underscores her versatility, while her commitment to secure a brighter future makes her an invaluable voice in the fight for global change.

International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL)

Jody played a key role in launching and leading the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), holding the position of founding coordinator until February 1998. Starting in early 1992, she began working independently alongside two NGOs and helped the campaign grow into a new civil society movement, bringing together over 1,300 organisations across 95 countries, all united in the mission to eliminate antipersonnel landmines. Through groundbreaking collaboration with governments, UN agencies, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, Jody acted as both the campaign’s chief strategist and primary spokesperson.

Her efforts as an unwavering peace activist inspired a global civil society movement, which reached an incredible milestone in September 1997, when an international treaty banning landmines was officially adopted during a diplomatic conference in Oslo. Jody’s dedication to promoting peace and protecting the lives of human beings helped transform this cause into a powerful force for change.

Nobel Peace Prize Recognition

Three weeks later, Jody Williams and the ICBL were honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize, a prestigious recognition that underscored her global impact. This achievement made her the tenth woman overall—and just the third American woman in nearly a century—to receive this honour alongside other fellow Nobel laureates.

Starting in February 1998, she took on the role of campaign ambassador for the ICBL, representing the organisation and delivering powerful messages worldwide. In her inaugural role as ambassador, she showcased her dedication to advocacy and peacebuilding. Between 1999 and 2004, she stepped up as the senior editor for the massive 1,000-page annual Landmine Monitor Report.

This project was a major effort by civil society to track how well the Nobel Peace Prize ingredients—like cooperation and advocacy—were being upheld in the context of the Mine Ban Treaty around the globe. Highlights of her work also emphasised the importance of security through disarmament.

Nobel Women’s Initiative

Jody Williams, alongside fellow Laureate Dr Shirin Ebadi from Iran, played a key role in creating the “Nobel Women’s Initiative”. They were joined by other speakers, including Laureates Wangari Maathai from Kenya, Rigoberta Menchu Tum from Guatemala, and Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan Maguire from Northern Ireland.

This initiative, launched in January 2006, focuses on using the influence and platform of the Nobel Prize to amplify the work of women’s rights advocates, researchers, and organisations dedicated to achieving peace, justice, and equality for women. By addressing issues like gender violence and championing women’s causes, the initiative contributes to sustainable global peace and improving life for everyone.

Jody Williams’ speaking topics often centre around global peace, social justice, and women’s rights, reflecting her impactful leadership. For those interested in learning more about her appearances, speaker fees are available upon request as part of booking enquiries.

United Nations Involvement

Back in February and March 2007, Professor Williams headed a high-level mission on Darfur for the United Nations Human Rights Council. She later delivered the mission’s powerful and impactful report directly to the council, addressing issues such as armed conflict and its implications on national security.

Williams discusses these challenges in the context of peace negotiations, human rights, and the importance of secure speakers in facilitating meaningful dialogue. Her insights emphasise the role of world secure speakers in navigating complex global conflicts and fostering resolutions.

Academic Roles

In 2003, Jody Williams took on the role of Distinguished Visiting Professor of Global Justice at the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work. Over the years, she has also delivered impactful keynote speeches at prominent events and participated in various speaking engagements focused on social justice.

As a speaker represented by the AAE Speakers Bureau, a few years later, in 2007, she was honoured with the title of “Sam and Cele Keeper Endowed Professor in Peace and Social Justice”, solidifying her role as an influential figure in both academia and corporate entertainment.

Early Career and Humanitarian Work

Before launching the ICBL, Williams spent over a decade working to raise public awareness about U.S. policies in Central America. Between 1986 and 1992, she served as deputy director of Medical Aid for El Salvador, a Los Angeles-based organisation, where she designed and managed humanitarian relief efforts.

Prior to that, from 1984 to 1986, she co-coordinated the Nicaragua-Honduras Education Project, taking on the responsibility of organising fact-finding missions to the region. Her earlier career included teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in Mexico, the UK, and Washington, D.C.

Professor Williams has earned widespread recognition for her dedication to environmental justice, human rights, and global security. Over her career, she’s been honoured with fifteen honorary degrees and numerous other awards.

In addition to her efforts, she has participated in speaking engagements and contributed to the talent booking process speakers often look to for insight. In 2004, Forbes Magazine included her in its inaugural list of the 100 most powerful women in the world, highlighting her influence among similar motivational celebrity speakers.

Publications and Writing

She’s an incredibly prolific writer with more work to her name than could possibly be listed here. Her articles have been featured in major publications across the globe, including The Wall Street Journal, The International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, The Toronto Globe & Mail, The Irish Times, and The LA Times—just to name a few.

Over the years, she’s contributed chapters to numerous books and even co-authored one of the first books addressing the global landmine crisis. Jody Williams discusses these issues in her latest release, Banning Landmines: Disarmament, Citizen Diplomacy, and Human Security, co-edited with Steve Goose and Mary Wareham, which came out in March 2008.

The book takes a deep dive into the Mine Ban Treaty and explores its broader impact on human security. Williams believes in using her platform to tackle emerging threats, including campaigns like Stop Killer Robots, which align with her dedication to advancing social justice. At the moment, she’s focusing on a memoir that will share her journey and commitment to global change.

Philosophy on Peace and Justice

Williams thinks working toward peace isn’t something for the timid. It demands relentless determination and a strong focus on creating sustainable peace. This kind of peace is rooted in sustainable development, fairness in environmental matters, and ensuring that the basic needs of most people around the world are met.

For organisations interested in scheduling Jody Williams as an event speaker, travel arrangements and her most current speaking fee can be provided upon request.