Cleveland State University’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs is partnering with the Refugee Services Collaborative of Greater Cleveland to host an enlightening conversation on the topic of refugees and resettlement on Thursday, Feb. 21. The “Refugees as Your Neighbor” event will feature testimonials from Cleveland refugees, the presentation of two documentaries, the chance to participate in a “Refugee 101” session and a panel discussion. 

The event, which is free and open to the public, begins at 4 p.m. in the Roberta Steinbacher Atrium of the Levin College. Registration is requested. 

The event will begin with Cleveland refugees Lydia Baguma and Khoon Thomas Kate sharing their compelling personal stories followed by the airing of Alidaand The Interpreterfrom the documentary series, “Refugees as Your Neighbor.” Attendees will then be invited to participate in “Refugee 101,” a session that examines the path to resettlement, the resettlement process and the refugee experience. Finally, panelists Jason Cheek, Christine Foote, Hilary Lucas and Khoon Thomas Kate will answer questions on present-day challenges in the context of the current political climate.

Baguma was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and fled to Uganda in 2003 due to war and violence in the nation. While in Uganda, she was able to study for her bachelor’s degree in human rights, peace and humanitarian interventions and work towards a law degree. Kate is currently a program coordinator of scholarship and adult tutoring at Refugee Response. He was a resettled refugee from Burma and lived in a refugee camp in Thailand for about 12 years.

Cheek is Neighborhood Family Practice’s refugee health program nurse coordinator, Foote is a coordinator of teaching and learning for the Lakewood City Schools and Lucas is the program administrator at Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services.

Click here to register for the event.