Colby College will be hosting a conference about the Iraqi refugee crisis on February 7th, 2009. Drawing together students, faculty, and members of the community at large, the event will focus on the ongoing refugee crisis in and around Iraq as well as on the concrete steps we can all take to bring more Iraqis to safety and welcome them once they arrive.

At least 1.5 million Iraqis have fled or been forced from their homes since the US invasion of 2003; perhaps 2 million more are displaced within Iraq's fragile borders. Many of them now live in cities throughout Jordan and Syria and seek permanent resettlement elsewhere. This year, Americans officials exceeded their goal of accepting 12,000 refugees into the US—better than the year before, but still only a tiny fraction of the at-risk population. The Iraqi Refugee Awareness Movement at Colby works to build awareness, money, and political support for these victims of war and to find practical, collaborative solutions at the campus, local, and national levels. To that end, our conference will feature presentations by former New York Times interpreter Nour Al-Khal and photojournalist Dahr Jamail, speeches by advocates and directors from Refugees International and the International Rescue Committee, and workshops designed to encourage grass-roots efforts to help refugees in our communities. The former translator, Alaa Rasheed, will address us during lunch, and the journalist and author, Laila Al-Arian will give the keynote address at dinner.

This is an open community event; all are welcome. If you are interested in attending or would like more information, please contact Jason Opal at jopal@colby.edu or Catherine Woodiwiss at chwoodiw@colby.edu.

Saturday, February 7th, 2009
- Panel I: The Flight from Iraq (10am-11:15)
o Nour al-Khal, former translator
o Kael Alford, photojournalist

- Panel II: The Challenge of Resettlement (11:30-12:45)
o Jake Kurtzer, Refugees International
o Elissa Mittman, International Rescue Committee

Lunch (1:00-2:00) and address by Alaa Rasheed, former translator

- Workshop: Acting Locally (2:30-4:00)
o Cheryl Hamilton, Coalition for the Prevention of Hate Violence and Arian Giantris, Catholic Charities of Maine

Dinner and keynote address, Laila al-Arian (5:30-7:30)


Please join us for any and all of this full day event!