GCU's Critical Concerns Week focuses on immigration
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
From staff reports
Georgian Court University, Lakewood, will mark its 12th annual Critical Concerns Week Nov. 5-8 with a slate of events focusing on the many facets of immigration: the dignity of every person, the need to work for just and humane policies, the root causes of forced emigration and the global impact of mass migration.
“From family separation policies at the U.S. border, to the many refugee crises in Europe, Africa and Asia, the plight of immigrants is one of the most pressing concerns facing humanity today,” said Dr. Paul DaPonte, GCU executive director of Mission Integration.
Erin O’Boyle, student worker for Mission Integration, assisted in planning and coordinating the week’s events.
“Each year we pick a concern … and with immigration being a huge topic in the news, we felt it was only right to focus on this theme to educate the students here,” she said.
O’Boyle emphasized the need for young adult involvement in global concerns because young voices matter.
“In the next few years, we will be the educated ones, and it will be up to us to resolve these issues,” she said. “Some [events] involve young adults, and to hear the opinion of another young adult might really make a difference.”
The weeklong series begins with the 3:30 p.m. movie screening Nov. 5 of the dance performance “Supper, People on the Move,” choreographed by Silvana Cardell, GCU associate professor of dance. “Supper,” which has earned grants from the Pew Charitable Trust and the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, evokes the struggles of refugees, exiles and those navigating beyond the borders of their homelands.
Dr. Diya Abdo, associate professor of English at Guilford College and founder and director of Every Campus a Refuge (ECAR), will offer a 6 p.m. presentation Nov. 5 on the initiative advocating the provision of temporary housing for refugee families directly on college campus grounds and offers assistance in the complicated process of resettlement.
Fatima Rahmati, coalition coordinator at “Women for Afghan Women” (WAW), will lead a 2 p.m. discussion Nov. 7 on the organization, a grassroots, human rights organization dedicated to securing and protecting the rights of disenfranchised Afghan women and girls in both Afghanistan and New York.
Following Rahmati’s presentation, “Capturing the Human Face of Immigration Policy” will take place at 4:30 p.m. Jean Stokan, coordinator for immigration and nonviolence with the Justice Team of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Institute near Washington, will address U.S. immigration issues, including the legal status for DACA recipients/Dreamers, the termination of protections for foreign nations under the Temporary Protected Status program, the aggressive increase in rates of detention and deportation and the militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border.
At 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7, GCU will present a screening of the movie “A Better Life” (PG-13).
A critical concerns Mass Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. will be celebrated in the campus chapel, and the week draws to a close with an Irish high tea at 4:30 p.m., commemorating the final moments and last request of Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, hosted by the Mercy Collegiate Society.
GCU is suspending activities on Nov. 6, Election Day, to encourage students, faculty and staff to vote. “The urgency of the immigration issue underscores the duty we have as Americans to participate in the political process,” DaPonte said.
All events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit georgian.edu. Georgian Court University is located at 900 Lakewood Ave., Lakewood.
Speaking about the young adult immigrants already in the United States and striving to remain, O’Boyle said, “It’s our duty to make sure they are treated with the respect they deserve. Some of us might know immigrants and have a deeper connection to the issue and see what happens to families.”
Recently O’Boyle was able to go to Capitol Hill and advocate on immigration.
“We might not think your voices matter, but they do,” she said. “Our senators and representatives do listen to every call and read every email. We can also set up activities on campus to bring awareness.”
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From staff reports
Georgian Court University, Lakewood, will mark its 12th annual Critical Concerns Week Nov. 5-8 with a slate of events focusing on the many facets of immigration: the dignity of every person, the need to work for just and humane policies, the root causes of forced emigration and the global impact of mass migration.
“From family separation policies at the U.S. border, to the many refugee crises in Europe, Africa and Asia, the plight of immigrants is one of the most pressing concerns facing humanity today,” said Dr. Paul DaPonte, GCU executive director of Mission Integration.
Erin O’Boyle, student worker for Mission Integration, assisted in planning and coordinating the week’s events.
“Each year we pick a concern … and with immigration being a huge topic in the news, we felt it was only right to focus on this theme to educate the students here,” she said.
O’Boyle emphasized the need for young adult involvement in global concerns because young voices matter.
“In the next few years, we will be the educated ones, and it will be up to us to resolve these issues,” she said. “Some [events] involve young adults, and to hear the opinion of another young adult might really make a difference.”
The weeklong series begins with the 3:30 p.m. movie screening Nov. 5 of the dance performance “Supper, People on the Move,” choreographed by Silvana Cardell, GCU associate professor of dance. “Supper,” which has earned grants from the Pew Charitable Trust and the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, evokes the struggles of refugees, exiles and those navigating beyond the borders of their homelands.
Dr. Diya Abdo, associate professor of English at Guilford College and founder and director of Every Campus a Refuge (ECAR), will offer a 6 p.m. presentation Nov. 5 on the initiative advocating the provision of temporary housing for refugee families directly on college campus grounds and offers assistance in the complicated process of resettlement.
Fatima Rahmati, coalition coordinator at “Women for Afghan Women” (WAW), will lead a 2 p.m. discussion Nov. 7 on the organization, a grassroots, human rights organization dedicated to securing and protecting the rights of disenfranchised Afghan women and girls in both Afghanistan and New York.
Following Rahmati’s presentation, “Capturing the Human Face of Immigration Policy” will take place at 4:30 p.m. Jean Stokan, coordinator for immigration and nonviolence with the Justice Team of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Institute near Washington, will address U.S. immigration issues, including the legal status for DACA recipients/Dreamers, the termination of protections for foreign nations under the Temporary Protected Status program, the aggressive increase in rates of detention and deportation and the militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border.
At 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7, GCU will present a screening of the movie “A Better Life” (PG-13).
A critical concerns Mass Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. will be celebrated in the campus chapel, and the week draws to a close with an Irish high tea at 4:30 p.m., commemorating the final moments and last request of Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, hosted by the Mercy Collegiate Society.
GCU is suspending activities on Nov. 6, Election Day, to encourage students, faculty and staff to vote. “The urgency of the immigration issue underscores the duty we have as Americans to participate in the political process,” DaPonte said.
All events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit georgian.edu. Georgian Court University is located at 900 Lakewood Ave., Lakewood.
Speaking about the young adult immigrants already in the United States and striving to remain, O’Boyle said, “It’s our duty to make sure they are treated with the respect they deserve. Some of us might know immigrants and have a deeper connection to the issue and see what happens to families.”
Recently O’Boyle was able to go to Capitol Hill and advocate on immigration.
“We might not think your voices matter, but they do,” she said. “Our senators and representatives do listen to every call and read every email. We can also set up activities on campus to bring awareness.”
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