Mercy Corps and the Middle East Refugee Crisis

William Farrell serves as Vice President for Corporate and Foundation Relations at Mercy Corps, a leading relief and development organization with ongoing operations in 43 countries, nearly 4,500 staff, and an annual operating budget of over $300 million. He helps develop partnerships to increase the reach and results of Mercy Corps' work. Prior to this position, Farrell was Mercy Corps’ Vice President for Program Development, managing the design and support of high impact programming globally.

A graduate of Tufts University and of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Farrell has worked with international donor agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the United States Government over the past two decades. His experience in transitional countries has given him significant background in confronting the challenges of instability through community-led and market-driven programming.

Seconded by the United States Department of State to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Farrell was substantially involved in the formal peace negotiations between Georgians and South Ossetians as well as between Tajiks, during the civil war in Tajikistan. His work with the United States Agency for International Development in Central Asia helped communities and governments develop stronger partnerships to enhance the lives and well-being of citizens.

Farrell has also worked in support of emergency response in Sudan, as well as assessing large parts of the Sahel for concrete ways in which development assistance can be used to counter extremist activity. He is proficient in Russian and German.

He lives with his wife and five children in Maine. He is Adjunct Faculty at the University of Maine Business School.

Mid-Maine Global Forum is pleased to offer this program. For more information, read these news articles:

• How Refugees Make Their Way to Maine
• Story of One Syrian Who Came to Maine
• Man Who Fled Syria Becomes a US Citizen

Please register by email or by telephone: Bonnie Sammons at 716-1022 for this Tuesday lunch program no later than Sunday, January 10. Lunch will be catered by Jorgensen’s for $10. Please pay at the door.

Upon registering, please indicate your lunch choice:

• Turkey and Swiss on wheat bread,
• Tarragon Chicken Salad Wrap, or
• Hummus/Cheese/Veggie Wrap

Lunch includes your choice of sandwich, soup, cookie, coffee or tea.

Please note: Registrants who request lunch are responsible for lunch fees. If your plans change and you are unable to attend, please notify us so that lunch orders can be adjusted.

Note: In case of a snow storm or unsafe driving, this program will be postponed to January 19.