March 25, 2019

UW-Superior students host interactive refugee exhibit

UW-Superior Academic Service-Learning (AS-L) students from professor Khalil (Haji) Dokhanchi’s Political Science 101: Introduction to Comparative Politics class will present their work through an engaging exhibition entitled “Refugee for 50 Minutes: From Syria to Sweden” on Tuesday, April 9, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Yellowjacket Union Great Room.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – University of Wisconsin-Superior Academic Service-Learning (AS-L) students from professor Khalil (Haji) Dokhanchi’s Political Science 101: Introduction to Comparative Politics class will present their work through an engaging exhibition entitled “Refugee for 50 Minutes: From Syria to Sweden” on Tuesday, April 9, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Yellowjacket Union Great Room.

This exhibition, which is held in collaboration with the American Red Cross Northland Chapter, examines how one becomes a refugee and their experience. AS-L students will teach the community and university members about the technical aspects of this topic such as the legal definition of who is a refugee and their rights under international humanitarian law and some non-technical issues such as living conditions, food, and safety in the refugee camps.

“AS-L provides my students with opportunities to see that what learn in the classroom is relevant to our community and how it can help our community,” said Dokhanchi. “It also encourages them to invest more in learning about the course subject matter as they become teachers of our community members. It is really important for people to know who a refugee is and why we need to let them come to our country.”

By examining the current crisis in Syria and how it created a refugee crisis in Europe, this exhibition hopes to teach the community and university members of the factors that cause people to become a refugee and also have a better understanding of their hopes and fears they embark on their journey. By using an interactive model, participants will learn about choices that are made at each stage of the journey.

“Helping share the message of the importance of having an understanding of international humanitarian law is an important mission of the American Red Cross,” said Dan Williams, Executive Director of the American Red Cross. “Of particular importance, is being able to expose our high school and college students to these issues. This is in order to help them be able to more effectively consume news with an understanding of the underpinnings of legal protections for refugees and those in areas of conflict.”