Friday evening’s session featured personal stories from five refugees who have come to the United States because of violence and conflict in their original homes. These individuals come from Iraq, South Sudan, Guatemala, Bosnia and Myanmar.
On Saturday, attendees will examine some of the issues raised by Friday evening’s testimonials. Participants will choose between breakout sessions that focus on the economic or environmental causes of conflict, the impact of conflict on economic resources, health or education, and how mass media or the arts shape understanding of conflict.
After these sessions, participants will have the opportunity to consider the complexity of these situations, and how the United States can or should respond, both collectively and as individual citizens.
A continental breakfast and mid-morning snack will be provided during Saturday’s session. The conference will end with lunch and entertainment
by performance groups including Indian Dancers, Striving
for Eternal Life Choir and Gateway Dance Troupe.
For interested participants, there will also be an opportunity to connect with Des Moines-area organizations that work on issues related to the topics of the conference.
Drake’s Engaged Citizen Experience is part of the university’s curriculum to prepare students to participate effectively in democratic processes. Through engaged citizen courses and programming, students learn to evaluate the mix of diverse values and interests that influence democratic decision-making, leading them to be active stewards working for the common good of local, national and global communities.
All programs are free and open to the public. For more information, visit: https://wwww.drake.edu/academics/units-programs/engagedcitizen.php.
Engaged Citizen Experience Conference
The conference features five refugees who will share their personal experiences with violence and conflict in their home countries, as well as breakout sessions that focus on this year’s Engaged Citizen Experience theme of: “The World and War: Conflict and Its Consequences.”
When: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., Friday, March 5, and 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, March 6
Where: Parents Hall, Olmsted Center, 2875 University Ave.
Cost: Free and open to the public
For more information: Visit the website at https://wwww.drake.edu/academics/units-programs/engagedcitizen.php