A Teach-In on Global Migrations and Refguees: the US and the Middle East

The Center for Contemporary Arab Studies is excited to partner with George Mason University's Middle East and Islamic Studies Program and the Arab Studies Institute to host a teach-in on global migrations and refugees.

The current global policy environment surrounding migration and immigration reflects urgent humanitarian needs. At the same time, global responses are being shaped by resurgent exclusionist tendencies that also defined earlier migration policies in the twentieth century. Our teach-in will explore these facts of migration in the context of the Middle East and North Africa, from both a contemporary and historical perspective.

The public event will follow a morning session for educators and other interested members of the public. The full agenda is posted below:

MORNING SEGMENT For Educators and Interested Members of the Public

9:00 - 9:15 am Welcome & Introductions

9:15 - 10:15 “History of Migration to the United States: Issues and Flows,” Elizabeth Chacko, Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University

10:15 - 10:25 Q & A/discussion

10:25 - 10:35 BREAK

10:35 - 11:20 am “History of Migration in and out of the Middle East and North Africa in the 20th century, Rochelle Davis, Director, Center for Contemporary Arab Studies

11:25 - 11:35 Q & A/discussion

11:35 - 12:15 Film Screening: Flight of the Refugees, Directed by Elias Matar

12:15 - 1:00 pm LUNCH (for educators attending morning & afternoon segments)

AFTERNOON SEGMENT – Open to the Public

1:00 - 2:30 pm Panel on 21st Century Migration Issues

• “Where the Wild Things Are: Youth Using Religion and Women to Protect Christian and National Identity in Central Europe,” Elzbieta Gozdziak, Institute for the Study of International Migration, Georgetown University
• “Current Dilemmas in Protection and Humanitarian Action,” Elizabeth Ferris, Institute for the Study of International Migration, Georgetown University
• “Policies of Immigration Exclusion,” Kristin Sekerci and Azza Al-Tiraifi, Georgetown University

2:30 - 3:30 pm Panel on Experiences of Migration

• Aysenour Kara, George Mason University

• Musaab Balchi, George Mason University
• Nana Brantuo, University of Maryland, formerly Black Alliance for Just Immigration

3:30 - 4:00 pm Wrap-up

This event is made possible by a Title VI grant from the US Department of Education, which is funding a National Resource Center of the Middle East and North Africa at Georgetown University, with additional funding from the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies for education outreach and public events.

Sponsored by the Middle East and Islamic Studies Program (GMU), Center for Contemporary Arab Studies (Georgetown U.), Institute for the Study of International Migration (GU), and Arab Studies Institute.

Co-sponsored by Center for Global Islamic Studies, Global Affairs, Global Programs, History Department, Schar School of Policy and Government, Film and Media Studies, Film and Video Studies