Welcome to episode eight of season one of Resilient Conversations, a podcast by PartnersGlobal that explores different facets of civic space resiliency. In this podcast, PartnersGlobal co-executive director, Roselie Vasquez-Yetter talks with Tom Block - playwright, author, and visual artist who has spent three decades using art to explore the intersection of mysticism and society.

Tom is the Founding Producer of New York City’s International Human Rights Art Festival (2017-present), producer of the first Amnesty International Human Rights Art Festival (2010, Washington DC), creator of the Human Rights Painting Project (2002-2015) and the Shalom/Salaam Project (2004-2012). Block is also the author of six books, a playwright, and a 25+ year exhibiting visual artist. He was a Research Fellow at DePaul University (2010), LABA Fellow (NY, 2013-14), Hamiltonian Fellow (DC, 2008-09) and has spoken throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Turkey, and the Middle East.

PartnersGlobal is a nonprofit based in Washington, DC that advances resilient civic space throughout the world by focusing on authentic partnership, locally-led solutions, inclusive processes, and conflict sensitivity to bring about more peaceful, secure, just, and accountable societies. Partners envisions a world where civil society thrives, change is managed peacefully, rights are protected, and democracy can flourish. Visit our website at www.partnersglobal.org and follow us on social media. Music for this episode is created by Tuesday Night from Pixabay.