Monday, February 8, to Thursday, February 11, noon to 2 pm
2nd Floor, Scott Library.
The world is responding to the Syrian refugee crisis in small and large ways. The movement of so many people from danger to safety is bewildering to imagine and our individual responses cannot be predictable, uniform or even immediate. Before stepping into action, we can learn more and discover how, as individuals and as groups, we can best respond. Art, logic, and material evidence give us the information and impetus to act.
York University Libraries and the Undergraduate Fellows of the MOSAIC Institute have organized 4 days of events that we hope will touch the hearts and minds of our community members. Please join us as we learn from our local experts and participate in fundraising for Lifeline Syria and the Department of Sociology and Friends Family Sponsorship Group.
Day 1: Monday Feb 8
The Launch of 4Days4Syria
Hajir Sharifi: Journalist, photographer and student
Human Rights & Equity Studies, York University
Joy Kirchner, University Librarian and Dalubuhle Ndlovu of the York Undergraduate Fellows of the MOSIAC Institute will launch the 4 days of events.
On this, the first day, Hajir Sharifi will speak about his experiences at a UNHCR camp for refugees. He will also touch on the background stories of the individuals and families he photographed while at the camps. His photographs will be on display during event hours.
The launch of the 4Days4Syria events and Hajir’s talk will take place noon to 1:30. The 4Days4Syria Committee will be collecting donations for Lifeline Syria.
From 1:30 to 2:00 there will be a sale of scarves and other donated accessories. The proceeds of this sale will go the Department of Sociology and Friends Sponsorship Group. The Group has been matched with a Syrian family of four. Proceeds from the sale will go towards the living expenses of the family.
Day 2: Tuesday Feb 9
Secil Erdogan Ertorer: "Seeking Refuge in a Hostile Zone"
Rana Sukarieh: "Building Hope: the experience of Sociologists at York and Friends Sponsorship Group"
Department of Sociology, York University
Professor Erdogan-Ertorer and PhD candidate Rana Sukarieh, both in the Department of Sociology will speak to two different elements of the Syrian refugee crisis. Professor Erdogan-Ertorer’s talk will be about the challenges of life as a refugee and Ms Sukarieh will speak about the very specific work the Sociologists at York and Friends Sponsorship Group has done to get ready for the Syrian family of four that they have matched with.
The talks will take place noon to 1:30.
The 4Days4Syria Committee will be collecting donations for Lifeline Syria.
From 1:30 to 2:00 there will be a sale of scarves and other donated accessories. The proceeds of this sale will go the Department of Sociology and Friends Sponsorship Group. The Group has been matched with a Syrian family of four. Proceeds from the sale will go towards the living expenses of the family.
Day 3: Wednesday Feb 10
Shadiya Aidid, Zeinab Aidid, Nasim Asgari and Kareem Bennett: Spoken Word Poets and students
York University
Shadiya Aidid, Zeinab Aidid, Nasim Asgari and Kareem Bennett have been asked by the 4Days4Syria Committee to write / speak about the Syrian refugee crisis. The poets are well-versed in issues of colonialism, racism, sexism and how these forms of oppression touch on the crisis. It should be a lively and LIVE experience of the power of words to touch people.
The poetry will take place noon to 1:30.
The 4Days4Syria Committee will be collecting donations for Lifeline Syria.
From 1:30 to 2:00 there will be a sale of scarves and other donated accessories. The proceeds of this sale will go the Department of Sociology and Friends Sponsorship Group. The Group has been matched with a Syrian family of four. Proceeds from the sale will go towards the living expenses of the family.
Day 4: Thursday Feb 11
Scarves, photos and more for Syria: a cheerful marketplace of items on sale for a good cause!
From noon to 2:00 there will be a sale of scarves and other donated accessories. The proceeds of this sale will go the Department of Sociology and Friends Sponsorship Group. The Group has been matched with a Syrian family of four. Proceeds from the sale will go towards the living expenses of the family.
There will also be a silent auction and / or sale of the beautiful and haunting photographs taken by Hajir Sharifi. Proceeds of the sale / auctioning of photographs will benefit Lifeline Syria.
Additional information, including a Syrian Refugee Research Guide will be available on the York University Libraries’ website. Photography and a slideshow will be on display throughout the 4 days.
Please join us! We welcome questions and will provide ample time for conversation about the crisis and local responses.
For more information, contact Kalina Grewal (kgrewal@yorku.ca).