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Youth Diaspora Reception

2010 June 3
tags: ,
by sfcg

We hope you’ll be able to join us for the following event. It promises to be an excellent evening. Anyone interested in diaspora issues and youth in conflict should not miss out!

2010 Youth Diaspora Conference Reception

June 7, 2010 6:00-7:30PM 

Location:

U.S. Institute of Peace

2nd floor

1200 17th Street NW

Washington, DC 20036

Directions

RSVP NOW

America is the home of many cultures, with more and more people immigrating ever year.  The diaspora of these cultures keep strong connections with their countries of origin, and the experiences they have while living in the United States will impact their home countries.  Many of these diaspora come from countries with a history of violent conflict.  To ensure that they have a positive influence back home, organizations like the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) and Search for Common Ground have been convening diaspora groups for dialogue and policy development.  Until now, young people have been notably absent from these forums.

As a means of better understanding the experiences of young diaspora in the United States, integrating their voices into policy dialogues, and encouraging youth engagement in peacebuilding, the Untied States Institute of Peace, in partnership with Search for Common Ground and Nomadic Wax Productions , is co-sponsoring the 2010 Youth Diaspora Conference.  The Conference is an opportunity for young diaspora to share their experiences and to learn how they can creatively engage in peacebuilding. 

A reception following the conference will feature a presentation by:

Grace Akallo

Spokesperson, Children of War in northern Uganda

Grace Akallo was abducted by Ugandan rebels in the Lord’s Resistance Army at the age of 15 and is now serving as a spokesperson and activist for peace in northern Uganda, encouraging the international community to put global pressure on combatants to protect children and end the conflict. Ms. Akallo routinely travels to Washington and to the United Nations to speak on behalf of World Vision, a Christian relief and development organization that has counseled, rehabilitated and reconciled more than 15,000 formerly abducted child soldiers with their families and communities. In April 2009 Ms. Akallo gave a statement at the U.N Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict, and she has testified twice on Capitol Hill. Ms. Akallo’s story was featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, in the Washington Post and on CNN. In June of 2007, she co-authored a book with Faith J. H. McDonnell titled “Girl Soldier: A Story of Hope for Northern Uganda’s Children.”

Inquiries

Please contact Morgan Miller at 202-429-7168 or mmiller@usip.org with any general questions about this event.

Media

Journalists should contact Lauren Sucher at lsucher@usip.org or Allison Sturma at asturma@usip.org.

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