About the project
The Iowa City Foreign Relations Council (ICFRC) has been awarded a grant by Humanities Iowa and National Endowment for the Humanities to carry out a project focusing on Iowa refugees and immigrants from December 1, 2021, to August 30, 2022. This project will consist of six free public educational programs with expert speakers from across Iowa addressing specific relevant topics. Overall, the project’s goal is to raise the voices and share the stories of refugees and immigrants who come to Iowa. The programs will aim to give Iowans and their communities a deeper understanding of:
- The cultures and countries of the refugees and immigrants they meet and about whom they learn
- The lived experiences of immigrants and refugees in Iowa
- How organizations led by immigrants and refugees, that is, “ethnic community-based organizations”, function and how to work effectively with them
- How government agencies, non-profit organizations, employers and others are responding to the Afghan refugee crisis; and how the stories of refugees and immigrants can lead to more effective public policy
- How engaging with refugees and immigrants can not only increase our empathy and understanding but can benefit and help our communities to thrive as diverse people living together.
other information
Refugee Resource Directory: https://www.refugeeallianceofcentraliowa.org/resource-guide