School of Public Affairs Presents Policy-Based Panel on Migrant and Refugee Issues
In light of recent events at the San Diego/Tijuana border, Dr. Anna Kim and Dr. Sherry Ryan of the SDSU School of Public Affairs are partnering with Otay Allies and other members of the San Diego State University community to host a panel discussion and fundraiser this Wednesday, Dec. 5th in PSFA 100 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. The discussion and guest speakers will focus on education on current issues, as well as allow offers of non-militarized responses to refugees and migrants coming to San Diego.
“We identified a need for a public and policy-based response from SDSU to the greater community about refugee issues, both old and new” said Dr. Kim. “The San Diego community, including our student population, is so connected to these communities and the current federal climate because of our proximity to the border. An event such as this is necessary in order to educate the public and allow for discussions on how to make San Diego a more welcoming place for all.”
Guest speakers include Dr. Kim, Dr. Joanna Brooks, and Jennifer Gonzalez from Torchlight Legal, interns from Otay Allies, Dr. Kate Swanson from the Department of Geography, and Dr. Victoria Gonzalez-Rivera from the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies. Other core faculty and sponsoring departments in PSFA’s newly launched Refugee-American Initiative include: Dr. Esperanza Camargo (Public Affairs), Dr. Yeawen Chen and Dr. Luke Wilson (Communications), Dr. Nathian Rodriguez (Journalism and Media Studies), and Dr. Brian Hu and Professor Jesca Prudencio (Theatre, Television & Film).
All fundraising donations will go to direct aid at the border and to the Refugee-American Initiative, a project created by Dr. Kim and Dr. Ryan to support long-term integration of immigrant and refugee families in San Diego. Monetary donations can be made on campaign.sdsu.edu/dlc under PSFA Fund for Excellence. The public may also donate items such as tents, blankets, sleeping bags, towels, bottled water, winter clothing, underwear, socks, diaper, and personal hygiene products.
“San Diego receives more refugees than any other California county,” said Dr. Kim. “This is part of our job and institutional responsibility to take a public stance on the federal government targeting migrant and refugee communities. We hope to build more university resources on campus for affected students, as well as support non-governmental agency partners serving those communities.”
This event works in collaboration with the Refugee-American Initiative, the 2018-2019 program that will highlight experiences of refugees and migrants in the United States. Through performances, art, media studies, and policy discussions, the initiative brings together students, non-profit partners, and faculty of the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts to serve San Diego’s communities of refugees and migrants.
The content within this article has been edited by Lizbeth Persons.
