Volume 115 | March 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.
SSW Statement in Support of Ukraine
As we continue to witness the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the School of Social Work condemns Russia’s brutal attack and the significant humanitarian crisis that the invasion has created. The events unfolding in Ukraine bring us deep sadness as we think about both those directly affected in Europe as well as those in our campus community with close ties to family and friends in the region. Our mission at the School of Social Work is to create a better society through social change locally, nationally, and globally. Please take time to check in on those you know who may be especially impacted by these events and please take care of yourselves.

Please see the "Events" section below for events related to the crisis in Ukraine and visit the SSW forum for the full statement.
Spotlight: Crowdfunding for SSW student with family in Ukraine
Crowdfunding for SSW student with family in Ukraine
School of Social Work PhD student, Yuliya Shyrokonis, is actively trying to get six of her family members out of Ukraine, including her 80-year old grandparents. Yuliya also plans to travel to Europe soon to aid her family members in evacuating and obtaining asylum in neighboring countries.

From Yuliya's GoFundMe: "Contributions from this fundraiser will be directly used for the immediate needs of Ukrainian refugees, evacuees, and those sheltering through the invasion in real-time."

She has set up ways to donate to help fund her family's evacuation from Ukraine. Please find her Venmo and Cash App information below, as well as links to donate via GoFundMe and PayPal.

Venmo: @Yuliya-Shyrokonis
Cash App: $YuliyaShyrokonis
Events
Date: Monday, March 14 from 5:00 - 6:30 PM EDT
Brief Description: The Program in International and Comparative Studies (PICS) will host its sixth annual International Studies Virtual Alumni Career Panel. This alumni panel will showcase and celebrate the university’s rich history of contributions made by International Studies alumni, while providing valuable insight for current students as they start to develop their own career paths. The panel will include a student Q&A portion. Learn where an International Studies major can take you! Read the full bios of the alumni on the PICS website!
Education and Equity in a Global Society - Reflecting on the Crisis in Ukraine
Date: Tuesday, March 15 from 12:00 - 12:50 PM EDT
Brief Description: As of today, more than 2 million people have been forced to flee Ukraine as a result of a military offensive that has had a horrific impact on civilian lives. The current situation has forced millions of children and young people to endure immediate disruptions to their schooling. As we know from research on displacement, these young people’s longer-term educational and developmental trajectories will also be shaped in profound ways by this war. Join EEGS for a reflection on recent events and a chance to examine their intersections with educational institutions. They will be joined by Jailene Acevedo, who will offer background on the role of education as a tool of colonial domination in Ukraine. The session will take place in SEB Room 2327.
Date: Tuesday, March 15 from 12:30 - 2:00 PM EDT
Brief Description: Over two million people have fled Ukraine as a result of the Russian invasion, which caused destruction of civilian infrastructure, led to civilian casualties and has forced people to leave their homes seeking safety, protection and humanitarian assistance. Yet this is not the first ‘refugee crisis’ that Europe has seen in the last decade. The aim of this panel discussion is to put the current events unfolding in Ukraine in the context of other mass population displacements from an Eastern European perspective. What are the similarities and what are the differences in the way Eastern European countries are responding to this humanitarian crisis? How prepared are we? How are the countries that do not share immediate border with Ukraine likely to react to this displacement? How matters of gender and age shape the broader discursive responses to this refugee crisis in Europe?
Date: Tuesday, March 15 from 4:00 - 5:30 PM EDT
Brief Description: This roundtable will bring together experts in international politics, Central Asia, US-China relations, and Europe to discuss how the Russian invasion of Ukraine has upended the global economy and political order far beyond the boundaries of the conflict itself. We will discuss the invasion’s impact on US-China relations, global energy markets and security, European politics, and much more.
Date: Monday, March 21 from 6:00 - 7:45 PM EDT
Brief Description: World Social Work Day is a celebration that aims to highlight the achievements of social work, raise the visibility of social services for the future of societies, and to defend social justice and human rights. In honor of World Social Work Day, please join the SSW Global Social Work Pathway and the Office of Global Activities to highlight the contributions of social workers across global contexts. During the panel discussion, practitioners and academics will share information about their specific roles and engagement in global social work. Time will be included for Q&A with the panelists.
Date: Tuesday, March 22 from 3:30 - 5:00 PM EDT
Brief Description: Discussion and insight:
  • Making Arab Americans visible in health disparities research, Dr. Kristine Ajrouch
  • The role the census plays in health inequities among Arab and Chaldean Americans, Dr. Florence Dallo
  • Equity concerns and health behaviors in Arab Americans, Dr. Mouhanad Hammami
  • Q&A/Discussion: Promoting MENA/Arab American health, Tasneem Abushaban
Date: Tuesday, March 22 from 1:00 - 2:30 PM EDT
Brief Description: As the war in Ukraine expands, the importance of Transatlantic relations has never been clearer. The United States and its European partners must work together to address a range of daunting challenges including Russian military aggression, economic stress, and a new refugee crisis. They must also work to address tensions within Western and Central Europe, such as the longer-term implications of Brexit and democratic backsliding in Central Europe. In that context, U.S. relations with Ireland play an increasingly important role. Please join us for a conversation with Irish Ambassador to the U.S. Daniel Mulhall about Irish-U.S. relations, Brexit and Northern Ireland, and the broader policy challenges and opportunities facing the two states and their European partners.
Date: Thursday, March 24 from 8:00 - 10:00 AM EDT
Brief Description: This virtual panel will have Spanish-English interpretation. Click here to see the panel flyer and panelists. The panel is linked to three other panels that may also be of interest. Please click here to see the related panels.
Date: Tuesday, March 29 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM EDT
Brief Description: The Trotter Interfaith Program is hosting an Interfaith Alumnae Panel. This virtual event is being presented as part of Women's History Month. The panelists and moderator are all graduates of the University of Michigan. Each brings a wealth of experience and perspective on how religious, spiritual and secular (RSS) worldview intersects with all facets of our identity and with our careers. Andrea Buckley, SSW alum, Social Worker, Licensed Therapist, Mental Health Consultant and owner of Drea Inspires LLC is a featured panelist.
Professional Opportunities
Application Deadline: Friday, April 1
Brief Description: The Southeast Asian Studies Summer Institute (SEASSI) will be held at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from June 20-August 12, 2022, and plans to return to an in-person format this year. Students can study Burmese, Filipino, Hmong, Indonesian, Javanese, Khmer, Lao, Thai, and Vietnamese at elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels. Tuition scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Brief Description: The team also seeks to hire two U-M student summer interns interested in education abroad. Applicants will collaborate with the staff working on a variety of global education projects. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and qualified candidates will start as early as May 2, 2022.
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.
Grant Opportunities
Deadline: Tuesday, March 15
Brief Description: The Mary Sue & Kenneth Coleman Global Experience Scholarship application opens on March 1 for students going on Spring/Summer travel. This scholarship is open to undergraduate students in UM-sponsored study abroad programs or programs encompassing other global experiences, and students enrolled in any graduate or professional program for international experiences directly related to their degree. Applicants may be assessed on demonstrated financial need.
Deadline: Friday, April 1
Brief Description: The Mark and Myra Sorensen International Travel Scholarship is designed to support students who will participate in study, internship, volunteer, or research programs abroad. The scholarship's goal is to fund a diverse array of students, regardless of field of study. Awards will be made in the amount of at least $750 to cover expenses such as program fees, 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.
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
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.