A powerful and inspiring speaker
In-person or virtual.
Intimate seminar or town hall.
Dialogue or stadium speech.
General Dallaire inspires audiences large and small, in French and in English. General Dallaire's courage during his UN mission for Rwanda during the horrific genocide--as well as his courage in speaking up about military OSIs like PTSD, and in fighting for victims of mass atrocity, moral injury, and the recruitment of children in armed conflict--have earned him the Order of Canada, the Meritorious Service Cross, the United States Legion of Merit, the Aegis Award, and the affection and admiration of people around the globe.
Themes and Topics
The Peace: Past, Present, and Future
General Romeo Dallaire led the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide when 800,000 people were slaughtered over 100 days. Having lived through that biblical horror, and the 30 years since trying to fathom it, General Dallaire understands the hell of war, and that peace is more than just the purgatory of temporary truces we are living today. His latest book: The Peace, lays out the guideposts that got us here, and the lodestars that will take us beyond. With a profound mixture of empathy and experience—informed by his careers as military commander, Canadian senator, and global humanitarian—General Dallaire shares his revolutionary insights on conflict prevention, our shared humanity, and solutions for lasting peace.
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Leadership in Crisis
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Throughout his military career, Romeo Dallaire was lauded for his role in providing exemplary leadership during missions fraught with obstacles. He spearheaded critical reforms and professional development in the Canadian Forces, before going on to serve as a Senator. With the aim of encouraging pro-active leaders, Dallaire shares advice on regaining the initiative in the chaos and crisis of the present while simultaneously anticipating the needs of the future; leading rather than reacting. His inspirational presentations encourage leaders to embrace new forms of communication with their team, giving them the confidence to go beyond the perception of their own abilities. Professional longevity, a competitive edge, and personal fulfillment are awaiting those who put the quality of life for themselves and their team at the forefront.
Mental Health & Invisible Wounds
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Bearing witness to the horrors of genocide, and an international community’s disregard for humanity, General Dallaire was grievously injured with post-traumatic stress disorder, resulting in his medical release from the military in 2000. Since then, he has tirelessly worked to raise awareness about mental health issues and PTSD. Dallaire’s courage in going public about his own experience gives him undeniable credibility on the issue. This presentation will inspire audiences to break the stigma around mental health. Speaking with compassion and insight, Dallaire makes clear how the challenges around mental illness affect us all. As mental health wounds are not always visible, Dallaire speaks passionately about how much more needs to be done so that those suffering in silence can not just survive, but thrive.
Generation Without Borders: Encouraging Youth Activism
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In this rousing presentation, Dallaire urges young people today — the Generation Sans Frontiers: without borders and without limits, with their grasp of technology and encompassing world view — to get involved, to know their global peers, and to get their boots dirty! “It’s your turn,” he tells young audiences. “Your role is well beyond the borders of this country. I don’t think there’s a more significant time to service humanity than now. Allons-y!” This presentation will inspire youth to be engaged with the world around them by showing how their interconnectedness transcends political borders, allowing for an exchange of ideas & mobilized actions towards a more peaceful world.
General Dallaire's Story of Courage and Conviction
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General Romeo Dallaire led the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide during which 800,000 lives were brutally taken in less than 100 days. His courage and leadership during that mission earned him international respect and commendation which continue to this day. For more than two decades since that time, General Dallaire has been an outspoken advocate for human rights, bringing attention to situations too-often ignored, whether the atrocities of genocide, the struggle of veterans with PTSD, or the recruitment and use of child soldiers. General Dallaire shares powerful first-person stories which shed light on the human condition, the lessons to be learned and how we can be agents of change. Audiences will leave this presentation inspired by practical solutions and limitless hope.
