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CARMEL, CA (February 28, 2020) — The American Red Cross is partnering with a number of Monterey Bay area educational organizations to host a three-day symposium in April that will describe the growing global challenge related to the tens of millions of people who flee their homes each year because of conflicts, persecution, or disasters.
The symposium speakers will also offer their thoughts on solutions.
The symposium, titled "Forced Migration – Solutions and Challenges," is free and open to the public. It will take place on the following days, locations, and times:
· Tuesday, April 7
Location: University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064; Merrill College Cultural Center
Time: 5–7 p.m. (a reception will take place beforehand, beginning at 4 p.m.)
· Wednesday, April 8
Location: Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS), Irvine Auditorium, 460 Pierce Street, Monterey, CA 93940
Time: 6–8 p.m. (a reception will take place beforehand, beginning at 5 p.m.)
· Thursday, April 9
Location: California State University – Monterey Bay, Alumni and Visitor's Center, 5108 4th Avenue, Seaside, CA 93955
Time: 6–8 p.m.
"Nearly 70 million people around the world, half of them children, were forced to migrate or were internally displaced in just 2017 alone," says Go Funai, director of International Services (IS) for the Northern California Coastal Region of the American Red Cross. "And those numbers are rising every year. It is our hope that the people attending one of the sessions will learn more about a global crisis that is growing each year, consider the perspectives our speakers have on solutions to this crisis, and reflect on steps they can personally take to help."
In addition to the local region's International Services program, the symposium is hosted by the Central Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross. Key sponsors are California State University, Monterey Bay; UC Santa Cruz's Merrill College; Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS); the MIIS Immigrant Rights Alliance (MIRA); and the United Nations Association, Monterey Bay Chapter.
Koby Langley, Senior Vice President, Service to the Armed Forces and International Services, for the American Red Cross will serve as a moderator during the symposium. Each session will also include the following distinguished speakers:
· William Arrocha, Professor, Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS)
· Neil Boothby, Professor and founding Director of the Fostering Resilience Initiative, Notre Dame University
· Donna Duvin, Executive Director,
International Rescue Committee in San Diego
· Randall Bagwell, Senior Director, International Services U.S. Programs, American Red Cross
· A speaker to be determined from the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Updated information, including more background on the symposium speakers, is being added to a web site for this three-day event: redcross.org/migrationsymposium
RSVPs are encouraged. To reserve space, please email Go Funai at go.funai@redcross.org.
For more information, please contact Jill Hofmann at jill.hofmann@redcross.org or 831-566-8841.