Monday, May 2, 2011

11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Concurrent Session

New Refugee Groups from Africa: Spotlight on Darfuri Refugees

Presenters offered information and updates on the backgrounds, living conditions, and resettlement needs of U.S. bound refugees from Africa. Special attention was paid to the Darfuri refugees in Chad and Somali refugees throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

Power Point: Sanja Bebic

2:15-3:45 p.m. Admission to the US: Updates by Federal Partners

Leaders from key agencies provided updates on the identification and processing of refugees admitted through the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program.

Anne-Marie McGrnaghan , Resettlement Officer, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Larry Yungk, Senior Resettlement Officer, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Larry Bartlett, Acting Director, Office of Admissions, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration,
                        Department of State
Elizabeth Runge, Branch Chief for the Training and Quality Assurance Unit of the Refugee Affairs
                            Division of US Citizenship and Immigration Services

Power Points : Larry Yungk
                          Larry Bartlett
                          Elizabeth Runge

4:00-5:30 p.m. Refugees in Africa: Historical Precedents, Current Perspectives

Academics reflected on historical developments that have influenced refugee migrations in Africa, while offering current insights. Embassy representatives discussed how their countries are adapting, and responding to, refugee influxes.

Dr. Heran Sereke-Brhan, Research and Development Associate, Ethiopian Community Development Council,
                                          Moderator
Dr. Sulaymann Nyang, Department of African Studies, Howard University,
Dr. Abdul Bangura, Department of Political Science, Howard University
Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, Embassy of the Republic of South Africa
Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Federal Democratic
                                              Republic of Ethiopia

Power Point : Abdul Bangura

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

10:30 a.m.- 12: 00 p.m. Working Together to Help Refugee Resettle and Integrate

Representatives from refugee-serving agencies offered perspectives and best practices for working collaboratively to help promote successful refugee integration.

Gus Avenido, Manager, Refugee Resettlement Office, Minnesota Department of Human Services, Moderator
Dan Kosten, Vice President of U.S. Programs, World Relief
Gatluak Ter Thach, Executive Director, Nashville International Center for Empowerment

Power Point : Dan Kosten
                        Gus Avenido

12:15-1:30 p.m. Concurrent Session

A. Voices & Views: Newcomers Speak

Former refugees and asylees shared personal stories and resettlement experiences.

Paulette Mpouma, African Entrepreneur, creator of African Memory Game
Johnson Kamulegeya, Refugee Entrepreneur
Suad Jama, Program Specialist, Administration for Developmental Disabilities, Office of Program Support

Power Point: Paulette Mpouma

12:15-1:30 p.m.Concurrent Sessions

C. Language Education for African Refugees ( U.S.)

This panel presented on two related aspects of integration – social adjustment and language learning. It shared findings on a research case study on a Burundian family resettled in Virginia, and on the challenges of teaching non-literate adults a second language.

Ann Githinji, Department of Anthropology, University of Virginia
Alexandra Worth, Department of Anthropology, University of Virginia
Kevin Meadowcroft, Refugee Program Manager, Baltimore City Community College
Diana Holden, Instructor, Refugee Assistance Program, Baltimore City Community College