Boston University Schools of Social Work & Education to Host Two-day Institute on Refugees & Immigrants
Social workers, activists, and educators will converge at the Boston University Charles River Campus for a two-day Institute on Immigrants and Refugees: Addressing Dislocation, Racism, Trauma and Resilience, on October 23 and 24. Recognizing the crucial connection social workers and other clinicians have with refugees and immigrants, the two-day Institute is co-sponsored by Boston University Schools of Social Work (SSW) and Education (SED), and is designed to raise awareness about these unique, yet frequently marginalized, populations, through interdisciplinary collaboration.
The Institute’s first program, “Working with Refugees and Immigrants in Our Schools,” features a kick-off wine reception on Thursday, October 23 from 4:30 pm- 5:45 pm at the School of Education, Two Silber Way. Dean Gail Steketee (SSW) and Dean Hardin Coleman (SED) open a panel discussion featuring Dr. Glenn Saxe, associate chief of psychiatry for research and development at Children’s Hospital Boston, Heidi Ellis, PhD, department of psychiatry, Children’s Hospital Boston, and MSW student Saida Abdi, a Somali refugee and intern at Caring Across Communities. The panel discussion begins at 6 pm at the Kenmore Classroom Building, 565 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 101, and panelists will address the educational issues and potential alternatives that immigrant children and their parents have in our school systems.
The Institute’s second-day program “Working with Refugees and Immigrants in Community and Agency Settings,” focuses on the macro-level and clinical social work needs of this population, and begins at 8 am at the George Sherman Union’s Howard Thurman Center, 775 Commonwealth Avenue. This event features two panels from international experts including Dean/Director Elizabeth Miranda (Inter American University of Puerto Rico), Dr. Aaron Ramos (University of Puerto Rico), Alejandro Cotté (Enlace Project, Caño Martin Peña), as well as BUSSW professors Deanne Bonnar, Melvin Delgado, Luz Lopez, Lorna McKenzie-Pollock, Ruth Paris, Humberto Reynoso, Mojdeh Rohani and Lee Staples.
Co-event organizer and SSW Professor Luz López said, “The strength and resiliency of immigrant families will be examined as they face stigma, racism, and the trauma of dislocation. Participants will benefit from the knowledge and expertise of selected speakers, and this two day Institute will stimulate discussions and critical thinking about the immigration debate, as well as cross-cultural, multidisciplinary collaborations.”
Both events are free to the public, but space is limited. RSVP to Suzanne Hogan at shogan@bu.edu or by calling 617-353-3811. Social work continuing education credits (CECs) will also be available for both days.
About BUSSW:
Distinguished by its urban mission and clinical and macro practice focus, the Boston University School of Social Work is committed to educating masters’ and doctoral level students who will become leaders in a multicultural environment. The School offers the MSW and PhD degrees, as well as continuing professional education, and its nationally recognized faculty has been ranked 8th among schools of social work with doctoral programs. Located in a diverse and academically rich community, the School offers almost unlimited opportunities for urban social work practice and research. Visit bu.edu/ssw for more information.
About Boston University:
Founded in 1839, Boston University is an internationally recognized institution of higher education and research. With more than 30,000 students, it is the fourth largest independent university in the United States. BU consists of 17 colleges and schools along with a number of multi-disciplinary centers and institutes which are central to the school’s research and teaching mission.