Amplifying the Voice of Iraqi Refugees
With two programs that are designed to show the human side of the Iraqi conflict, Intersections is shedding light on one of this century's most overlooked humanitarian crises: Iraqi refugees. Read on to learn more about the Iraqi Voices Amplification Project (IVAP) and access our discussions on the Cost of War, at Home and Abroad.
Iraqi Voices Amplification Project (IVAP)
Last year, staff members C. Eduardo Vargas and Megan Hoelle visited Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria to meet with Iraqi refugees and hear first-hand their experiences and needs in preparation for developing IVAP. There trip laid the foundation for our ongoing efforts to raise public awareness about Iraqi refugees and maintain this issue at the forefront of the policy arena.
In October 2009, Intersections will travel to Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria with a small group of prominent artists-photographers, filmmakers, musicians, and new media specialists- for the purpose of meeting and interacting with displaced Iraqis and hearing their stories. Upon return, Intersections will début the artist's work that results from the visit as part of a national campaign to draw attention to this most pressing issue.
The Cost of War, At Home and Abroad
The Cost of War conversation series is designed to explore the unforeseen cost the current Global War on Terror has had on different, and often negated, sectors of our society, with a strong focus on the Iraqi population. Intersections has held multiple panels addressing this topic, among them:
- The Iraqi Refugee Crisis, which provided an overview of the current crisis.
- Muslims in the Media, which examined the media's portrayal of Muslims post-9/11
- Ethical Exits Strategies from Iraq, which explored how we can withdraw from Iraq while fulfilling our political, military, and humanitarian obligations.
- Iraqi Voices, which featured recently resettled Iraqis speaking out on their experiences since 2003. Watch excepts of Ehab's story here.
Intersections has also developed a number of local activities to support this mission.
On January 19th, 2009, Intersections, along with The List Project and CAMBA, hosted a job training workshop for Iraqis resettled in the New York City area with the goal of assisting them in their transition to the US job market.
In January 2009, Project Manager, C. Eduardo Vargas was interviewed on the weekly podcast series, Conversations on Diplomacy and Power Politics and spoke regarding the looming Iraqi refugee crisis. He also spoke in November 2008 at a panel discussion entitled, "Iraq's Displaced: The Challenge For The Next U.S. Administration" at The Humanitarian Affairs Program at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University and the New York Consortium for Security and Humanitarian Action.
Intersections’ is also proud to work with the Iraqi Student Project (ISP) to promote partnerships among institutions of higher education as well as expand continued education opportunities to as many Iraqi students possible. The ISP is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping Iraqi refugee undergraduate students, mostly living in Jordan or Syria, complete their undergraduate degrees at American universities.
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