Rory Stewart

He’s immersed himself in cultures of war-torn nations. Walked 6,000 miles across Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal—a journey described in his New York Times bestseller The Places in Between. Served as a member of the British diplomatic service. Governed a Provence of 30 million in Iraq, protecting his people while under siege. Now he is Director of the Carr Center for Human Rights at Harvard. All by age 35.

Oxford educated Rory Stewart is a rare combination of foreign affairs expert, fearless youth, wizened diplomat, and explorer, who is a seasoned speaker on such topics as human rights and global issues. Called a “modern day Lawrence of Arabia,” he is a spirit who harkens back to another era, yet with his ideals firmly planted in the realities of today’s global landscape.

With a unique understanding of the world’s human rights issues, Stewart steps into his role at the Carr Center to work toward devising a credible, and impactful, human rights policy—closing the gap between rhetoric and action. As founder of the Turquoise Mountain Foundation, he is actively involved in efforts rebuilding infrastructure in Kabul while creating jobs and educating Afghanis.

Stewart tells the fascinating story of his life and moves the dialogue forward about how we can best engage other cultures, particularly those shaped by ancient traditions and values, with dignity and humanity while still developing effective foreign policy.