A Brief Bio:

Le Anne Clausen, 29, earned her MA in Christian-Muslim relations (2006).  Prior to this time, she spent four years as a human rights worker in Israel/Palestine and Iraq, with organizations including Christian Peacemaker Teams, the Middle East Council of Churches, International Solidarity Movement, Women Against Violence, and a joint Israeli-Palestinian peace groups coalition. She has led  a half-dozen delegations learning about human rights issues in Palestine, Israel, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, among other locations. As a speaker, Clausen was featured at the 2003 ELCA Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (a part of the triennial Youth Gathering) in Atlanta; and has spoken about the Israeli Separation Wall construction in Hebron with members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington, DC. She has also led classes, preached, and given presentations at over 100 church congregations, schools, and colleges in the Midwest.  Clausen is currently a Master of Divinity student at Chicago Theological Seminary, and preparing for ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA). In Chicago, she continues her peace work among Christians and people of other faiths.   She is founder of SeminaryAction.org, a student organization dedicated to servant leadership, activism, and dialogue among students preparing for ministry across differing religious traditions.

Available for Speaking

I am available nationwide for speaking to your congregation, school, or other organization on issues related to interfaith dialogue, human rights, and life and culture in the Middle East. There is no set honorarium for speaking; however, all donations will be applied towards my seminary studies and activism. I do ask for groups to provide or compensate for transportation. PowerPoint and a variety of creative formats are possible, please ask!

Need a Travel Group Leader?

I am available during school vacations to lead delegations for your group to Palestine/Israel, Syria/Lebanon, or Afghanistan. I have experience with a variety of organizations in the region, with intermediate competency in Arabic and beginning Hebrew.  References available upon request.