SPRING/SUMMER 2023
JUNE 15th
Hear Boston College professor, Westy Egmont, talk about Border Protection and Humanitarian Acceptance. Links are provided (or scroll down).
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BALANCING ACT: Border Protection and Humanitarian Acceptance
Thursday, June 15, 2023
7-9pm
IN-PERSON – The Charlemont Federated Church 175 Main St, Charlemont, MA
and (it’s a hybrid event)
ONLINE -To attend this event as a webinar (click link)
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84340736188
Dr. Westy A. Egmont founded the Immigrant Integration Lab of the Boston College School of Social Work. His academic focus is on integration, comparative social policy and immigrant and refugee policy issues. The lab focuses on the intersection of social policy and human services and the dynamic process by which the foreign born become full participants in their new country.
ABOUT DR. WESTY A. EGMONT
A native of New York, Egmont has been the Dean of Students at Rift Valley Academy in Kenya, served various church organizations including being the President of the Association of Regional Religious Broadcasters during his 11 seasons producing and hosting a weekly television show on WBZ on current issues. A social activist, Egmont incorporated Covenant Housing, developed the Greater Boston Food Bank, and served for a decade as the President of the International Institute of New England, the largest immigrant and refugee service agency in the region. A frequent speaker, he has lectured at dozens of colleges and universities and in a variety of conferences across the US and Europe. Egmont is the curator of Dreams of Freedom, an exhibit on the history of immigration through Massachusetts located the Prudential Center’s Skywalk for over a decade and his been recipient of numerous awards. Dr. Egmont has co-chaired the Massachusetts Governor’s Advisory Council on Immigrants and Refugees and has been appointed by five governors to that advisory role. He served as the co-chair of the 2010 National Immigrant Integration Conference, has been appointed as a council member for the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement, serves on the CMS Catholic Immigrant Integration Network and is on the board of Metropolis International. He currently consults with national and international organizations on integration and inclusion of the foreign-born as President of the Association of New
Americans.
and….LATER THIS SUMMER:
JULY 20, 2023
On July 20, Columbia University professor and Deputy Director of the Center for International Earth Science Information Network, Alex de Sherbinin will address Climate Migration: Discourse vs Evidence Related to Climate Migration
IN-PERSON – The Charlemont Federated Church 175 Main St, Charlemont, MA
and
ONLINE -To attend this event as a webinar
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81541503304
This talk will address the growing reportage and public discourse on climate refugees, interrogating the degree to which this is based in evidence. Dr. de Sherbinin will describe results from research – including from his own research and modeling work – that seek to determine the sensitivity of migration decision making to climate shocks and trends and to anticipate future trajectories in low income regions. He will also present what is known about potential climate migration to New England, as a perceived haven from climate risks in the United States.
Alex de Sherbinin is the Deputy Director and a Senior Research Scientist at the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), a spatial data and analysis center within the Columbia Climate School specializing in the human aspects of global environmental change. Dr. de Sherbinin is a geographer whose research interests focus on the human aspects of global environmental change and geospatial data applications, integration, and dissemination. He is lead or co-author more than 60 peer reviewed articles and chapters, including lead authored articles appearing in Annual Reviews of Environment and Resources, Climatic Change, Environmental Research Letters, Global Environmental Change, Science, and Scientific American.
IN THE FALL
On October 12 photographer and author, Jessie Freidin, will discuss his work, Are You OK? which documents trans youth and their families living in states facing dangerous anti-trans legislation.
October 12, 2023 7pm
Join us in person at 7 pm at the Charlemont Federated Church or participate by viewing the live online feed – Details will be updated shortly.
Topic:
ARE YOU OK? – What Can Young Trans Voices Teach Us About Justice?
Photographer and author Jesse Freidin’s current series entitled ‘Are You OK?’ documents trans youth and their supportive families living in states facing dangerous anti-trans legislation. With portraits from more than half the states in America, this vast collection of personal accounts goes far beyond the simplicity of a traditional lecture on pronouns and identity. Through on screen images, audio interviews and moving personal narratives Jesse will spark a thoughtful and emotional dialogue about trans rights, who is most at risk, and how your community can become more welcoming and effective allies. This presentation uses storytelling to uncover themes of strength, joy and survival and encourages the audience to reflect on their own commitment to social justice. Included will be a brief overview of current anti-trans legislation and guidance on how to be an active ally, as well as time for Q + A.
Charlemont Forum Event Details
LINK TO THEIR MAIN WEBSITE
https://www.charlemontforum.org/
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