To his role as the Marketing / Outreach Lead for the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, Chip Graber brings over 40 Years of global business leadership, using unique strengths in relationship building and communications skills. Chip developed and grew these skills in working for Lockheed Martin 20 years, Northrop Grumman/Westinghouse 20 years and Time Warner 5 years. Chip has built, developed and managed teams that pursued, captured and executed programs in over twenty countries worldwide. Chip put together teams requiring clients/customers, teammates, suppliers, governments (domestic and foreign) as well as internal members working together to reach their goals. To coordinate teams of that breadth and depth required equal parts of strength, understanding, patience, persistence and focused drive.Technically, Chip had the opportunity to work in the fields of advanced hull form ship design and construction, surface ship integration, airborne lighter-than-air surveillance platforms and Offshore Energy platforms (OTEC, Windfarm and Oil and gas). In the naval defense world, Chip supported teams in ASW, MCM/AMCM, UUV and Surface Ship Torpedo Defense technologies. After retirement, Chip served as the Vice President of Baltimore Sister Cities. Following that, Chip was asked to lead the Morning Prayer Group for the Severna Park United Methodist Church.
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.
