Iraqi Refugee Project Highlights Last Weeks ChangeTheStory Panel

On Thursday, Feb. 4, Intersections held its second panel discussion ChangingTheStory: Amplifying the Voices of Iraqi Refugees in the three-part lecture series on Intercultural Dialogue to ChangeTheStory. This panel featured four speakers who discussed different vehicles they are using to highlight the voices of Iraqi Refugees. Presenters included Michael Jordan, Kim Schultz, Charity Tooze, and C. Eduardo Vargas.  Jordan and Schultz were members of Intersections Iraqi Voices Amplification Project (IVAP) team, which Intersections Project Manager C. Eduardo Vargas co-led. IVAP is an Intersections project that led eight artists on a mission to Jordan, Lebanon and for the purpose of meeting and interacting with Iraqi refugees. Intersections is now in the process of debuting IVAP artists’ work.

The evening started with the first public showing of an original 15 minute video produced by the IVAP team. After the video, the panelists were each asked a specific question to learn more about their work. A few of the points made were that Iraqi refugees often blend into their host countries because they share a similar language and background. They also stressed the need for increasing resettlement numbers, and greater economic and humanitarian assistance. The point which most resonated with me was that if we don’t help refugees, someone else will. That “someone else” may not share our values or ideals.

The evening ended with audience questions and participation. When asked about policy recommendations, presenters were hopeful that the upcoming March elections will allow more Iraqis to return home. They also stressed the need for the U.S. to increase its resettlement quota of Iraqi refugees.

For more information about IVAP please contact C. Eduardo Vargas at cevargas@intersectionsinternational.org. For more information on the ChangeTheStory panel please contact Sara Reef at sreef@intersectionsinternational.org.

Watch the IVAP trailer: