April is Arab Heritage Month! Throughout this month, we recognize and celebrate the historical and cultural contributions of peoples of Arab descent in the United States. This year, the theme of Arab Heritage Month at U-M is Our Origins: أصولنا, and it aims to reflect how the community's devotion to upholding the legacies of their homelands and their connection to their origins, through language, culture, and tradition, is unwavering. Click here for more information about events taking place at U-M in celebration of this month. | |
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OGA International Coffee Hour (Click here to RSVP)
Date: Wednesday, April 5, 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET
Brief Description: The Office of Global Activities hosts a bi-weekly coffee hour for all international students and visitors in the School of Social Work. It is a time to relax and get to know each other. Please join us! In this coffee hour, we will be reflecting on the past semester and looking ahead to the Spring/Summer semester or vacation! We will also joined by Taewhan Choi, current MSW student, and Yujeong Chang, recent alumna, to talk about applying to PhD programs as an international student from the U-M School of Social Work. They will start by sharing their experiences and the advice they have and will then answer questions. Milk Tea will be served at this Coffee Hour. Please RSVP to confirm your attendance and select the flavor of your Milk Tea by Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 12:00 PM.
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La Manplesa: An Uprising Remembered - Public Screening and Q&A with Filmmaker Ellie Walton and Cast Member Sami Miranda (Click here to RSVP)
Date: Wednesday, April 5, 4:00 PM ET
Brief Description: On May 5th, 1991, people took to the streets of Washington D.C.’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood to protest the police shooting of Daniel Gomez, a young man from El Salvador. Through testimony, song, poetry, and street theatre, La Manplesa: An Uprising Remembered weaves together the collective memory of one of D.C.’s first barrios, and dives into the roots of the ‘91 rebellion. As people across the world take to the streets to demand an end to police brutality, the film honors the largely untold stories that have come before us, and explores how artists prompt us to remember what we still have to fight for. The screening and Q&A will be followed by a reception.
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SCOPE Event: Immigration Open Mic Night (Click here to RSVP)
Date: Wednesday, April 5, 7:00 - 9:00 PM ET
Brief Description: In line with the Student Community of Progressive Empowerment's (SCOPE) mission to support and serve Undocu/DACAmented students, they want to create an intimate and safe environment to be together in community and explore together themes such as immigration, borders, policy reform, immigrant rights, and the immigrant and refugee diaspora. SCOPE’s Winter 2023 Open Mic Night will be a casual and intimate community space filled with refreshments, music, and good vibes. They want this to be a platform of expression. All skill levels are welcome. This is not a talent show but rather a safe-space for expression. They ask anyone willing to perform to put their name down via this form! This is to make sure they have a rough idea of numbers and that they have any A/V or other accommodations ready for you. The deadline to submit this form is on Monday, April 3rd. This event is free and is not restricted to only immigrants nor students. However, they are hosting a fundraiser to support legal fees for DACA Beneficiaries, who are also participating in a study-abroad trip as part of a U-M course. Suggested donation is $3 (cash or Venmo at door), but no one will be turned away! All proceeds will go to this fundraising effort. Their GoFundMe can be found here.
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ID's: Exclusion By Design (Click here to RSVP)
Date: Thursday, April 6, 12:00 - 1:30 PM ET
Brief Description: Identification cards allow those who have them to gain access to resources and fully participate in our society. Unfortunately, 11% of all American citizens lack an ID, and those without ID's are disproportionately from marginalized communities. In 2008, the State of Michigan implemented restrictive policies governing eligibility to gain access to a state ID card and driver's license, explicitly excluding the undocumented community from the identification system, and reducing the list of available documents individuals can use to prove state residency. Restrictions were also adopted to prevent those without a government-issued ID from accessing an array of basic resources and services, including housing assistance, employment assistance, food pantries, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, prescription medication, participating as a parent in a child’s school, among others. In doing so, it has converted necessities into privileges. Join us for a special virtual discussion examining this issue and advocacy happening around it, featuring panelists: Keta Cowan, Attorney, Ann Arbor Human Rights Commissioner (HRC), and Chair of the Washtenaw County ID Task Force; Phimmasone Owens, Founder of the Refugee Garden and member of Strangers No Longer; Maria Ibarra-Frayre, Deputy Director of We the People Michigan, and partner of the Drive Michigan Forward Coalition, and special guest TBA.
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Untold Stories: AHM x AA&PI Collab Event (Click here to RSVP)
Date: Thursday, April 6, 7:30 - 9:00 PM ET
Brief Description: The Arab Heritage Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month planning committees invite you to their open mic and exhibit night. They have asked members of the Arab-American community to submit stories, photography, and different forms of expression that relate to their identity. Untold Stories is an event that will showcase stories of their origins and amplify their voices through different mediums, such as stories, poems, and pictures. Join them for dinner, poetry, storytelling and an exhibit of narrative arts written by the Arab-American community.
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60 Minutes Around the Globe: Dominican Republic (Click here to RSVP)
Date: Friday, April 7, 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
Brief Description: 60 Minutes Around the Globe is a program series hosted by the International House Ann Arbor and the International Center where members of the international community share a brief presentation about the culture and history of their home country. The presentation is followed by a time for discussion and enjoying light refreshments. Join them this week to learn about the culture and history of the Dominican Republic! Snacks and refreshments will be served. Registration is required so they can plan how much food to order.
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Social Media and Society in India Conference (Click here to RSVP)
Date: Friday, April 7 - Saturday, April 8
Brief Description: The School of Information is hosting a hybrid conference on Social Media and Society in India, featuring speakers to discuss various ways social media impacts contemporary life in India. Attending speakers include movie actors, activists, educators, lawyers, journalists, physicians, and entertainers, representing topics covering a range of contemporary concerns in healthcare, media, food, travel, misinformation, and activism. This is a free hybrid event; registration is now open for in-person and online attendance via zoom. Click here to learn more about the event and speakers.
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African Students Association Culture Show: Owambe (Click here to RSVP)
Date: Saturday, April 8, 7:00 - 9:00 PM ET
Brief Description: Experience a night of African cultural celebrations through song, dance, poetry, fashion, and more. This year's theme is drawn from the Yoruba word, Owambe, representative of a large lavish celebration of life and important events. Join the African Students Association as they celebrate diverse cultures across the continent!
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El Cacao: Documentary Viewing Party & Post Discussion w/ the Filmmaker, Michelle Aguilar (Click here to RSVP)
Date: Monday, April 10, 6:30 - 7:45 PM ET
Brief Description: Grab some popcorn and join us for a viewing party of the documentary, El Cacao. As a treat, you’ll have a chance to connect with the filmmaker, Michelle Aguilar, on the motivation and execution of this short 20-minute documentary. Assistant Professor Ashley Cureton will serve as the discussant. This event is being offered in a hybrid format. Information about how to join the Zoom meeting will be sent to registrants who indicate that they will be attending virtually closer to the event date. Description of the Film: El Cacao exposes the dark side of chocolate production in Latin America by examining the economics of Fair Trade from the point of view of the Indigenous farmers as they attempt to sustain their community through the growth, harvest, and trade of cacao beans in the global market. This 20-minute documentary film highlights the life of an indigenous Ngabe farmer in Panama and his unconditional devotion to this so-called "superfood." The film threads together the themes of neoliberal ideology, human rights, and the economics of the chocolate industry.
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Fulbright U.S. Student Program Informational Webinar (Click here to RSVP)
Date: Tuesday, April 11, 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET
Brief Description: The Institute of International Education, on behalf of the U.S. State Department, administers the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, which offers research, study, and teaching opportunities in over 140 countries to recent graduates and graduate students. This competition is administered on campus by the International Institute (II). Over the course of winter semester, the II Fellowships & Grants team has been providing a series of workshops to help prepare your application! This workshop will be about building your project network.
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Justice; Equality; Love | Poetry Night, Participatory Theater, and Colombian Snacks (Click here to RSVP)
Date: Thursday, April 27, 5:00 - 6:00 PM ET
Brief Description: This event will combine poetry and participatory theater to showcase the work of Colombian poet, artist, and teacher Ernesto Galindo. Galindo's work is informed by his experience as a teacher in Colombia whose students primarily come from low-income contexts. Through the use of literature and participatory children’s theater, Galindo transforms classrooms into a safe space where children can develop their resilience. His poetry touches on themes of justice, equality, and love. This event will consist of a poetry recital in Spanish with English translation followed by a participatory theater activity and time for Q&A. Colombian food and drinks will be served!
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Presentation Recording Available - Global Governance Frameworks are Out of Step with Climate Change and the Dynamics of Displacement
Amali Tower is the founder and executive director of Climate Refugees. She has extensive global experience in refugee protection, refugee resettlement and in forced migration and displacement contexts, having worked globally for numerous NGOs, the UN Refugee Agency and the US Refugee Admissions Program. She was the speaker at the U-M Center for the Education of Women+'s 2023 Weerasinghe Lecture, which was titled Global Governance Frameworks are Out of Step with Climate Change and the Dynamics of Displacement. You can find the recording of that presentation here.
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Resources about Ramadan (Wednesday, March 22 - Thursday, April 20)
March 22 marked the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Ramadan is observed as a month of fasting, gathering, reflection, and prayer for Muslims all around the world. During Ramadan, many Muslims abstain from food and drink (including water) from dawn until sunset. You can find a Ramadan fact sheet that gives an overview of this religious holiday here.
It is important to note that this religious holiday overlaps with the end of our semester. If students anticipate difficulty with finals and coursework while fasting, the school has asked that they speak to their instructor directly.
University Resources for Ramadan - The University’s Muslim chaplaincy, the Muslim Students’ Association (MSA), and Islamic Society of Ahl-ul-Bayt offer programming and community throughout Ramadan. Any questions? Email: ramadanUM@umich.edu.
Ramadan 2020+ is an initiative spearheaded by the Islamophobia Working Group in partnership with the Muslim Students' Association to host community iftars (large community dinners) during the academic year that are open to all - Muslim and non-Muslim students, staff, faculty, and community members - keeping with the tradition of community building in Ramadan. Click here to learn more and access the iftar and night prayer schedule.
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Wangari Maathai Essay Competition
Have you written, or are you planning to write, an essay on any topic in Afroamerican, Caribbean, and/or African studies that you are proud of? Consider submitting it for the Wangari Maathai Essay Competition! The Wangari Maathai Essay Competition, sponsored by the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies (DAAS), is named in honor of Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan scholar and activist who, in 2004, became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. In the spirit of Dr. Maathai, the essay contest is intended to encourage excellence in graduate and undergraduate scholarship on the experience of Africa and its Diaspora. A prize of $300 will be awarded for the best original essay on any topic in Afroamerican, Caribbean, and/or African studies. Winners of the essay competition will be recognized at the 2023 DAAS Graduation Ceremony on Friday, April 28, 2023. Click here to learn more about the application requirements.
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Fundraiser: Help support DACA Travelers in a U-M Class!
The Undocumented Student Program at the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives is currently fundraising to support DACA beneficiaries in a course trip! This trip to Canada is one component of a course taught by Professor Ashley Lucas and is being organized in collaboration with undocumented and DACAmented students. International Perspectives on Theatre for Social Change brings together enrolled students and folks from communities beyond our campus to think about the ways that performance can play a part in social justice struggles. This course entails a study abroad component: a visit to the University of Toronto to see various theater performances.
DACA beneficiaries are participating in this course, and this fundraiser will cover all legal fees and other travel costs related to ensure their safe travel to and from Canada. In order to make sure this trip is a success, they would like to request your help in the following ways:
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Registration Open - Woodenfish Humanistic Buddhist Monastic Life Program
A recent alumna from the Global Social Work Practice Pathway has shared this opportunity that she had previously participated in. The Woodenfish Humanistic Buddhist Monastic Life Program has reopened for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program spans one month in the summer, and this year, it will take place in Taipei, Taiwan in a Buddhist monastery. The purpose of this program is to help students learn about history, philosophy, and meditation, with traditional cultural excursions. Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Click here to learn more.
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Professional Opportunities | |
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UNITAR Human Rights Council Training Program - June Edition
Application Deadline: N/A
Brief Description: UNITAR is delighted to offer the Fifth edition of the Human Rights Council Training Program. This course will run in parallel to the real UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and aims at providing participants with in-depth knowledge on human rights and the functioning of the UN’s key body to promote them. In line with UNITAR's mandate, this program aspires to enhance participants' knowledge and skills in the areas of human rights and international affairs. This will empower them to take on leadership roles in their respective environments and thereby continue to promote the respect for human rights in the world. UNITAR further intends to strengthen the participants’ conviction of the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, especially human rights. It lastly aspires to give its participants the opportunity to gain valuable insights into possible employment opportunities in the United Nations system. Click here to learn more and apply.
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Summer Public History Internship at the California Migration Museum
Application Deadline: Rolling until position is filled; suitable for 20-month students
Brief Description: The California Migration Museum (CMM) seeks a creative and driven individual with an interest in history and strong social media and communication skills for a ten-week internship in the San Francisco Bay Area. CMM was founded in 2021 to create immersive, digital storytelling projects exploring how 250 years of exclusion and inclusion have shaped today’s California. This position would be particularly suited to someone interested in migration and storytelling, looking to gain more experience in public history, museum curation, non-profit marketing and development, or the narrative arts. Strong applicants will also have strong social media skills, the ability to produce engaging written content, enthusiasm for a creative, hands-on approach to marketing and brand-building, and a passion for community-engaged projects. The internship is hybrid remote/in-person, and can be part-time or full-time for a ten-week period beginning in June and ending in August. Based on the availability of outside funding from the applicant's university or elsewhere, a stipend to cover living costs could be worked out. Click here to learn more and apply.
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Multiple Positions Available: Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Application Deadline: N/A
Brief Description: Since 1939, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service has offered welcome and hope to refugees in the United States. They have several job openings available. These include:
For a full list of the available positions, click here to access their job postings page.
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Multiple Positions Available: International Rescue Committee
Application Deadline: N/A
Brief Description: The International Rescue Committee responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises to help to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. They have several job openings available. These include:
For a full list of the available positions, click here to access their job postings page.
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Email ssw.oga@umich.edu if you have any questions.
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