Mr. Berkeley is a Chairman of Princeton Capital Management which he founded in 1988. He graduated from Episcopal High School earning his BA from the University of Virginia and his MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He was a Captain in the 438th Military Airlift Wing of the United States Air Force from 1968 to 1972 and served in the USAF Reserve from 1978 to 1980, as a Major. Mr. Berkeley was a General Partner and a managing director of the investment bank – Alex Brown & Sons. He was appointed vice-chair of the NASDAQ Stock Market Inc. in July 2000, serving through July 2003, and served as President of NASDAQ from 1996 until 2000.
Over the course of years Mr. Berkley served as Board of Directors for the Policy Management Systems Corporation, WebEx, XBRL US and International, Asterisk, World Economic Forum, Security First Corp, Real Page, Inc., Outward Bound of Maryland, and ACI Worldwide. He was the Chairman of Pipeline Trading Systems, Vice Chairman of National Medal of Technology Evaluation Committee and National Infrastructure Advisory Council. Mr. Berkley was also a Board Member at several for-profit and non-profit organizations including EDGAR Online, Johns Hopkins University, and Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs.
He is married to Muriel VanDusen Berkeley, and they are the parents of three daughters.
Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!
At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.
The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.
Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.
It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.
