Panel discussion with scholars and community leaders regarding the impact of migration on families. There will be short presentations and then time for question and answers. Guest speakers include Elizabeth "Nophie" Dewi, a 2003 graduate of UML's Regional Economic and Social Development masters program and the current head of the International Relations Department at Parahyangan Catholic University in Indonesia. She will share her work and research on the experiences of Indonesian mothers who must leave their children behind in Indonesia while they take advantage of the greater labor market opportunities in other countries.
Our other guest is Lowell resident, community leader, and state representative Vanna Howard. Representative Howard came to Massachusetts as a refugee and is now the first Cambodian woman elected to the Massachusetts statehouse. She will share her experiences as a newcomer to the United States, but also her work as an elected official working to welcome new migrants to our city during this difficult political climate.