Workshop: Somali Community Development in American Cities, 02/01

Somali Community Development in American Cities
A Workshop at Ohio University
February 17, 2001

The African Studies Program at Ohio University invites social workers, community development specialists, and Somali community activists to a special one-day workshop on the issues that face this growing refugee/immigrant community in the United States. Since the collapse of the Somali regime a decade ago, the country has hemorrhaged its people all over the globe. Thousands have found homes in American cities, in many cases through the instrument of third-country asylum.

We seek to celebrate the ingenuity of the various Somali community development teams in US cities, comparing notes to see what works and what does not with a variety of population groups. Our program will consist of presentations by representatives of these organizations and other interested academics and practitioners. We particularly encourage participation from the social work and teaching communities as they grapple with Somali issues in their urban midst. This is an important opportunity to consider the impact of this significant African population on American institutions.

The program is a flexible one, but we would like to focus on children's issues in the first session, youth issues in the second and women's/adult issues in the final session of the day. Your suggestions for presentations are welcome and we will try to accommodate all in the program.

There is no cost for this program, a service of the African Studies Program at Ohio University. Coffee, tea, and light snacks will be available and a Somali dinner is planned to conclude the program. Information about hotel accommodations can be obtained from the sponsors.

For further information and registration please contact:

Ms. Catherine Cutcher
Assistant Director
African Studies
Ohio University
56 E. Union St.
Athens, OH 45701
(740) 597-1511
cutcher@ohio.edu