Volume 119 | April 2022
OGA Newsletter
The Office of Global Activities (OGA) is dedicated to connecting MSW students to international social work opportunities through fundingspecial programs, academic resources, internationalized curriculum, and arranging faculty and student exchanges at partner institutions.
Spotlight: Addressing the Global Orphan & Vulnerable Children Crisis: What Allies Need to Know
Addressing the Global Orphan & Vulnerable Children Crisis: What Allies Need to Know
Wednesday, April 13 from 5:00 - 6:30 PM EDT
Join the Child Welfare Student Association and the Office of Global Activities for an informational presentation and dialogue regarding global issues within child and family welfare systems and wellbeing on a global and micro scale.

The event will discuss the varying dynamics of the orphan/vulnerable child crisis in regions around the world, and how communities and governments are responding. The primary focus will be on the protection of vulnerable children, particularly those who are not cared for in family/home-like environments.

This hybrid event is open to all U-M students, staff, and faculty. Individual boxed dinners will be provided for the first 20 registrants attending in-person. Registration to attend in person will close at 12:00 PM today, Monday, April 11.

Registration to attend via Zoom will remain open up to the time of the event.
Events
Date: Monday, April 11 from 2:00 - 3:30 PM EDT
Brief Description: Join the Global Social Work Practice Pathway and the Office of Global Activities in this panel discussion to highlight the contributions of community organizers and leaders across local and global contexts who are utilizing decolonizing and social justice-oriented perspectives to promote climate justice and refugee rights and to address health disparities among Indigenous populations.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Dr. Ashley Cureton. Panelists include:
  • Melanie Minuche (she/her), Climate Justice Organizer at Alianza Americas
  • Allan Mukuki (he/him), Director of International Partnerships; PhD Candidate with a focus on refugee protection in the East African community at Strathmore University Law School
  • Nicole Reed, MPH, CHES (she/her), Senior Professional Research Assistant at the University of Colorado Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health
Date: Tuesday, April 12 from 7:00 - 8:00 PM EDT
Brief Description: Todd Miller writes a weekly post for The Border Chronicle. He has researched and written about border issues for more than 15 years, the last eight as an independent journalist and writer. He resides in Tucson, Arizona, but also has spent many years living and working in Oaxaca, Mexico. His work has appeared in the New York Times, TomDispatch, The Nation, San Francisco Chronicle, In These Times, Guernica, and Al Jazeera English, among other places.
Date: Thursday, April 14 from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
Brief Description: The community conversation will take place during the holy month of Ramadan. The focus will be Ramadan itself – the blessings/experiences of Ramadan in the healthcare setting. In addition, Dr. Amro Stino, Kamau Ayubbi, Staff Chaplain at Michigan Medicine, and a panel of diverse voices/perspectives from the UMHS community – for example, a UM medical student as well as others (be they nursing, admin staff, environmental services staff, etc.) will share their experiences. Lastly, Dr. Stino will discuss the creation of and promote MeERG.
Date: Thursday, April 14 at 7:00 PM EDT
Brief Description: La Casa is proud to present the 21st annual Latin@ Culture Show at the University of Michigan. This event is a student-led program that provides the opportunity for U-M students, faculty, and staff to learn and share in a variety of experiences brought to life on stage by community participants. Join us for a night of fun! The show will be held in Mendelssohn Theatre at the Michigan League. Doors open at 6:30 PM.
Date: Monday, April 18 from 4:00 - 5:30 PM EDT
Brief Description: An Afghan journalist's perspective on the war, democracy, the United States withdrawal and return of the Taliban to power. Jawad Sukhanyar will discuss issues like human rights, absence of press freedom and democratic institutions. How are the Taliban ruling the country? Trying to introduce their variant of Islam called Taliban-ism, resorting to religious nationalism and more.
Date: Thursday, April 21 from 3:00 - 3:30 PM EDT
Brief Description: When we think of studying abroad, what comes to mind? Cultural exchange? Global citizen? Abolishing stereotypes? Those are all positive attributes, but the Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) is here to teach you about the dark side of studying abroad. Learn about the colonial and imperialist roots of study abroad and how those themes persist in 2022. After viewing this brief, attendees may consider how to decolonize their own travel experiences.
Date: Wednesday, April 27 from 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM EDT
Brief Description: Dr. Lukoye Atwoli, dean of the Medical College-East Africa, professor of Psychiatry, and associate director of the Brain and Mind Institute at Aga Khan University in Nairobi is a significant influencer of mental health policy in Kenya and on the continent of Africa. He serves as vice president of the Kenya Medical Association and in leadership roles with the World Psychiatric Association. During the Grand Rounds, he will discuss the recent history of mental health in Kenya and existing opportunities for innovation and collaboration.
Date: Thursday, April 28 from 10:00 - 11:00 AM EDT
Brief Description: Dr. Lukoye Atwoli will share his reflections on collaborations between African and US partners that have advanced health in recent decades. Dr. Atwoli will share lessons he and others learned from their engagement with a range of projects, including the AMPATH research network. This in-person discussion with a global health leader is a unique opportunity, especially for anyone interested in health sciences research and other collaborations in Africa. Light refreshments will be served.
Announcements
Have you wondered what a global classroom looks like? Are you interested in learning how to dialogue across international groups? Are you looking to improve your facilitation skills? Join faculty and students from Madras Christian College (MCC) in India and the U-M SSW for a unique learning experience this spring! Class sessions with MCC will occur in a blended in-person and virtual format. The course will be co-taught by Dr. Cristina Bares and SSW Visiting Scholar Dr. Prince Solomon.
Throughout the month of April, the International Institute at U-M will be providing detailed workshops to help students determine a program and prepare your application. The campus deadline for U-M affiliated applicants is in late August, while the national deadline is October 11, 2022, at 5:00 PM EDT. Read more about the U.S. Fulbright program and apply here.
Professional Opportunities
Application Deadline: Tuesday, April 12 or until 1,000 applications are received
Brief Description: The U.S. Department of State announced a new paid student internship program intended to expand opportunities for students of all backgrounds to gain experience and insight into the variety of careers available in U.S. foreign policy programs and administration of the U.S. Department of State and its diplomatic missions worldwide. Up to 200 student applicants will be chosen for the Fall 2022 internship season.

For more information about the internship, including internship assignments, eligibility requirements, and compensation/benefits, visit here. It is suggested that you submit your application as early as possible to ensure you have uploaded all documents properly.
Application Deadline: N/A
Brief Description: Missy! Orr, a School of Social Work and Global Activities Scholars Program alum and current employee at International Rescue Committee (IRC), has shared a position that is her larger team. IRC’s Resource Acquisition and Management team within the Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration (RAI) department supports a network of 25 offices across the United States on business development and fundraising initiatives. The Post Award Program Officer will be a primary focal point for post-award grant administration duties for RAI HQ and select field offices in the United States. This includes reviewing program progress reports, budget versus actual reports, providing technical support on donor compliance, coordinating with the HQ Finance department, assisting with subaward preparation and management, and delivering trainings.
Application Deadline: N/A
Brief Description: Missy! Orr, a School of Social Work and Global Activities Scholars Program alum and current employee at International Rescue Committee (IRC), has shared a position that is on her larger team. IRC’s Resource Acquisition and Management team within the Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration (RAI) department supports a network of 25 offices across the United States on business development and fundraising initiatives.  As the Development Operations Manager, you will be a trusted resource for development staff across the country, providing technical support on fundraising systems, analytics and reporting, support offices with executing timely donor stewardship, and oversee use of fundraising tools.
Application Deadline: N/A
Brief Description: We The People MI (WTPMI) works to build a multi-racial, working class constituency across the state that is engaged in community organizing, the development of leaders, and the building of a unified, proactive agenda rooted in economic, racial, and social justice for all Michiganders. They are looking for Field Organizers and Field Organizer Supervisors to help them with their 2022 election work. All jobs are temporary (year long) but full time positions start at $42,000/year plus benefits. 
Application Deadline: N/A
Brief Description: Samuel Hall is a social enterprise that conducts research, evaluates programs, and designs policies in contexts of migration and displacement. They recently announced two new openings for a Migration & Displacement (Pillar 1) Research Manager (RM) and Migration & Displacement (Pillar 1) Project Lead (PL). To see all of their current openings, click here.
Application Deadline: N/A
Brief Description: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is launching a one-year Afghan Support & Investment Project (ASIP) across Northern California, including the greater Sacramento region, Bay Area, and Central Valley. The project will center on disbursing housing funds in support of newly arrived Afghans. IRC will be hiring around 24 new staff members to support this project. Most positions are either remote or hybrid.

Multiple Positions Available: Switchboard/International Rescue Committee
Application Deadline: N/A
Brief Description: Switchboard, International Rescue Committee's funded training and technical assistance provider, is growing its team to accommodate increased needs among providers serving Afghan newcomers. Switchboard is a one-stop resource hub for refugee service providers in the United States.
Volunteer Position Available: UHS Children's Center Virtual Readers Program
Application Deadline: N/A
Brief Description: The University Health Systems (UHS) Children's Center is looking for volunteers to record themselves reading infant, toddler, and preschool-appropriate children's books aloud for virtual story time. The teachers see story time as a way to help kids become adaptive to different people and ways of being in the world and encourage people of other cultures and nationalities to participate in the program and share storybooks based on their own identities and experiences. They also seek volunteers who are multilingual and are willing to read aloud in different languages to connect with children who are non-native speakers of English. If you are interested, please contact Kenneth Simpson at 734-998-6195 or kengen@umich.edu.
Grant Opportunities
Deadline: Friday, April 15
Brief Description: WCED seeks applications from University of Michigan graduate students in all centers and departments for grants toward research projects related to authoritarianism and democracy, broadly understood. Funds cannot be used for conference expenses. Awards range from $500 to $5,000, depending on the number of successful proposals.
Deadline: Friday, April 15
Brief Description: The Swieca Family Israel Travel Fund is designed to financially support students who will be participating in educational travel to Israel. Educational travel is defined as study, internship, volunteer, or research opportunities, as well as conference attendance. Funding will be distributed to cover expenses such as program fees, conference registration, transportation, room and board, and/or local excursions made in connection with the project. For eligibility criteria, the application process, and more information, visit here. Questions? Contact the International Center at ic-abroad@umich.edu.
Deadline: Rolling; final submission date Friday, April 29
Brief Description: The Global Islamic Studies Center (GISC) welcomes proposals from U-M graduate students for research, language learning, and conference engagements. Funds may be used to pursue individual research projects domestically and internationally, or to attend/present research for a conference, workshop, or course that explores topics in Islam and Muslim communities (this includes language learning courses). Awards of up to $2000 are granted, depending on the number and character of successful proposals.
Deadline: Rolling
Brief Description: The International Center offers a grant opportunity to help student organizations and University departments recognize the diversity of the U-M international student population through special events and programming. Organizations and departments should apply at least 14 days in advance of their event (the earlier, the better). Grants amounts will vary based on the submitted budget and the availability of funds.
Resources
To find previous OGA Newsletter volumes, click the OGA Newsletter Archive.
Email ssw.oga@umich.edu if you have any questions.