Originally Broadcast on October 18 through 22, 2004
The U.S. Committee for Refugees estimates that there are 35.5 million refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons in the world today. While many people are aware of temporary refugee camps, fewer know what happens to refugee populations after the initial conflict. In this special series, we examine the different realities faced by refugees throughout the world as they search for a place to call home. The series is coproduced by Nissa Thompson.
The Challenges of Refugee Warehousing October 18, 2004
Diane Goodman—Refugee Policy Director, Human Rights Watch
We begin the series with a discussion on warehousing, in which refugees are kept in camps for years—sometimes decades—and denied rights guaranteed in the UN Refugee Convention.
Working with Refugee Communities October 18, 2004
Mangala Sharma—Founder, Bhutanese Refugees Aiding the Victims of Violence; Coordinator, Leadership and Health Program, Refugee Women Network
When she lived in a refugee camp in Nepal, Mangala Sharma founded a group providing legal aid, skills training, and other services to refugees. She's since gained political asylum in the U.S., but she continues her work as a refugee advocate.
The Problem of Forced Repatriation October 19, 2004
Veronika Martin—Policy Analyst, U.S. Committee for Refugees
What are the implications of forcing refugees, against their will, back to the countries they fled? We continue our series by talking with Veronika Martin from the U.S. Committee for Refugees.
Oral Histories of Chicago Immigrants October 19, 2004
Jeff Libman—Adult Educator
Chicagoan Jeff Libman teaches English as a second language at Truman College. And with the help of 20 of his students, he's compiled the book, An Immigrant Class: Oral Histories of Chicago's Newest Immigrants (Flying Kite, 2004).
Libman discusses the book on Wednesday, October 20, 2004, at 5:30 pm at Truman College's O'Rourke Theater—1145 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago. The event is part of the City of Chicago's Immigrant and Refugee Week.
U.S. House Bill on Refugees October 20, 2004
Doug Cassel—Human Rights Commentator
As part of our series examining issues faced by refugees throughout the world, human rights commentator Doug Cassel reflects on a bill in Congress that would make U.S. policy toward asylum seekers even more stringent.
Local Integration as a Solution October 20, 2004
Karen Jacobsen—Director, Refugees and Forced Migration Program; Feinstein International Famine Center, Tufts University
When people living in refugee camps are granted citizenship by the countries to which they've fled, there are often benefits to both the refugees and the host nations. Yet the idea of local integration is rarely considered viable.
The Invisible Community October 20, 2004
Christopher Day—Project Coordinator, Doctors without Borders; Lira, Uganda
Internally displaced persons, or IDPs, aren't refugees by definition, but face many of the same challenges. We talk with Christopher Day, a Doctors without Borders coordinator for Uganda, where there are an estimated 1.6 million IDPs.
Angola—Refugees Going Home October 21, 2004
Victoria Akyeampong—Head, Desk for Southern Africa, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
After 27 years of civil war, Angolans who have been refugees for decades are heading home. Victoria Akyeampong with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has helped spearhead the efforts, and she joins us to discuss voluntary repatriation.
Coming Home: Refugee Group Resettles in Minnesota October 22, 2004
Randy Kelly—Mayor, St. Paul, Minnesota
The U.S. has provided permanent resettlment to the Hmong ethnic group. 5,000 Hmong refugees will settle in Minnesota. To better understand the refugees needs, the mayor of St. Paul took an assessment team to the refugee camp outside of Bangkok.
Still My Home October 22, 2004
Khalil Qasimi—Afghan Refugee
While the challenges refugees face are substantial, their life stories are often inspiring. We hear the story of Khalil Qasimi, an Afghan refugee whose family fled Afghanistan when he was a toddler and eventually came to the U.S..
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