SJS News

We were honored to welcome special guest speaker William R. Deere to campus on Tuesday evening to discuss the United Nations’ perspective on the current state of affairs in the Middle East. 

Mr. Deere serves as Director of the Washington, DC office of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). In his position, Mr. Deere is part of the UNRWA team clarifying to North American policymakers the agency’s mission, programs, and challenges. The UNRWA was established by the UN General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to over five million Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank (including East Jerusalem), and the Gaza Strip pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.  

This was a unique opportunity for our students to learn more about the development and implementation of international policies within the context of current events in the Middle East. Mr. Deere spoke to all fourth form students taking the Conflict and Change history class as well as upper form students taking an AP history class. 

“For many of our students, the subjects of political science, history, and international relations are of particular interest. We were all inspired by Mr. Deere’s presentation, and each of us walked away with a clearer understanding of the tragic and complex situation unfolding in Gaza,” Mrs. Kingry said. 

Prior to joining UNRWA in 2018, Mr. Deere served in both the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government, including as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Senate Affairs at the U.S. Department of State under Colin Powell. He is also a part-time instructor in Arizona State University’s master’s program in International Affairs and Leadership. 

We thank Mr. Deere for sharing his expertise with us.