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Panelists spoke to a packed house of approximately 80 people at the "Redefining 'Refugee': Stories from a Global Crisis" discussion held Nov. 17. 

Speakers included: Eka Anthony, a former refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo; Anuj Gurung, a Ph.D. candidate in the Political Science Department at �鶹ӰԺ; Brooke Davis, United States Middle Eastern Regional Vice President for International Justice Mission’s (IJM) National Student Leadership Team (NSLT) and communication studies major; Ka Thi Sa (Kathy), a former refugee from Thailand; Neema Tamang, a Nepali interpreter who grew up in a refugee camp in Eastern Nepal for 17 years. College of Communication and Information (CCI) senior Daniel Henderson, creator and co-host of CCI Global’s podcast “World Class,” moderated the discussion.

"This event was very insightful and we all learned so much from Eka, Neema, and Kathy's stories of their experiences as refugees in their country of origin and as a resettled refugee here in America. What seemed evident from the discussion is that there are serious continual problems in both instances. The crisis is not ending and college students hold far more power than they believe they do with regard to helping this issue. Whether that's through donating, volunteering, reaching out to political leaders, or as Anuj said, supporting refugee owned businesses, students have the ability to effect positive change," Reyes said.

Great thanks go out to moderator Daniel Henderson, Professor Stephanie Smith and Susan Berg-Herman from IIA for their continuous support and integral roles to bring the event to life.

Communication Studies majors Eunice Reyes, junior, and Juleanna Smith, senior, planned the event as part of a class project. Read more about this program at "Communication Studies Students to Host Refugee Crisis Panel Discussion."