A series of lectures, discussions and documentary presentations at Lee University this month will take a look at the journey refugees take from their home country to the United States.
"Unsheltered: A Christian Response to the Refugee Crisis" was envisioned by Lee alumna Erin Williamson, who spent time in Egypt with refugees.
"In a way, we hope to take students on a journey from conflict to host countries to resettlement without ever needing to leave campus," says Williamson. "Each speaker has been selected to introduce a different and significant aspect of the modern global refugee crisis, while also showing the impact of refugees in our local Tennessee communities."
Lee professors Dr. Carolyn Dirksen and Dr. Murl Dirksen head up the series.
"We started planning this series last semester, and it has become increasingly timely," says Carolyn Dirksen. "Our goal is to provide information for our students and the Cleveland community about the plight of the growing number of refugees in the world and the processes they go through for resettlement."
Chelsea Markham Lyle, a representative for Catholic Charities, kicked off the series earlier this week with a program on resettlement. Religion professor Dr. Michael Fuller added a biblical framework for a Christian's response to refugees.
More events are scheduled over the next two weeks. All programs take place at 7 p.m. in the Paul & Carmelita Walker Lecture Hall in the Science and Math Complex, 1200 N. Ocoee St. NE on the Cleveland, Tenn., campus.
The community is invited to take part in this free, reflective experience and join the discussion.
For more information, email cdirksen@leeuniversity.edu.
Remaining schedule
* Today, Feb. 9: Screening of the documentary "Exodus," which includes first-person stories of refugees and migrants as they flee war and persecution. The film will be followed with a discussion panel of Lee professors including Dr. Ana Alves, Dr. Rolando Cuellar and Dr. Murl Dirksen.
The Student Leadership Council's Social Justice Committee will provide food and drinks after the screening. SLC and the Cultural Diversity Committee are helping sponsor the series.
* Thursday, Feb. 16: Lee students and alumni Emily Martin, Myka Retro Smith and Matthew and Kristin Turvin will discuss their work in refugee camps in Germany and Austria. Augustine Bocco, Lee alum and current French professor at Tennessee Wesleyan, will share his experience as a refugee.
* Tuesday, Feb. 21: Bassam Issa, president of the Islamic Center of Greater Chattanooga, will discuss the experiences of being Muslim in Tennessee and the relationship between Islam and Christianity in Tennessee communities. Student Alwatheq Zboun will offer personal insights into his experience as a refugee.
* Thursday, Feb. 23: Bridge Refugee Services of Chattanooga will present a session including refugee clients who have made East Tennessee their homes and now run independent organizations designed to help refugees adjust culturally to the Chattanooga area.