One of many photographs of human rights leaders now on display in Low Rotunda through April 3 as part of the "Speak the Truth to Power" exhibition.

Original photographic portraits of human rights leaders by a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist will be displayed in Low Rotunda March 2 - April 3 for the "Speak Truth to Power," exhibition.

The photos illustrate the book "Speak Truth to Power," by Kerry Kennedy Cuomo, a longtime human rights activist. Kennedy Cuomo will open the exhibit with a reception, hosted by the Center for the Study of Human Rights, on Wed., March 7, at 6 p.m. in Low Library.

Also being honored at the reception will be this year’s participants in the Center’s Human Rights Advocates Training Program, 15 leaders in human rights activism from around the world who are spending this semester at Columbia.

The exhibition will feature a selection of photographs showing 51 human rights leaders from nearly 40 countries and five different continents. They are part of a collection taken by Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Eddie Adams to illustrate Cuomo’s book "Speak Truth to Power."

"These photographs, both haunting and inspirational, attest to the impact that individuals can have on protecting people’s most basic rights," said J. Paul Martin, executive director of the Center for the Study of Human Rights. "We are pleased to be joining with Kerry in raising awareness of the extraordinary people working for human rights."

Four of the activists portrayed in the book are former members of the Human Rights Advocates Training Program, the centerpiece of the Center for the Study of Human Rights. The 12-year-old Advocates Program, the only one of its kind in the world, brings together human rights activists from the most diverse—and dangerous—parts of the world for four months of intensive study and dialogue with international human rights organizations.

This year’s participants include a lawyer from Belarus who works with the Belarusian Association of Women Lawyers to promote gender-focused legislative advocacy efforts; a journalist from the Democratic Republic of Congo who continues to report on human rights violations even as the government closes down his radio station, and an environmental and human rights advocate from India.

The "Speak Truth to Power" exhibit was previously at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Boston Public Library. The project was launched last fall with the publication of the book and the launch of the human rights activism Web site www.speaktruthtopower.org. The project also includes a play and a PBS documentary and educational material distributed in conjunction with Amnesty International.

"These heroes are dramatically changing the course of events in their communities and countries, and their stories will inspire exhibit audiences to do the same," said Kennedy Cuomo.