The Center for Democracy and International Affairs – FXUA is hosting a Forum and Discussion on the Syrian Refugee Crisis and the Global Humanitarian Response. The event will take place on October 15, Thursday, from 2:30pm till 5:30pm and will feature: political analysts discussing the causes of the conflict and the current configuration of international players, including the newest role to be played by Russia; a representative from the UN Refugee Agency; and representatives of both Catholic Charities and Lutheran Social Services involved in the process of resettlement. The forum will provide for an open discussion, networking, and working group formations. It is free and open to the public: https://www.fxua.edu/cdia/blog.html?image=true&feedid=0
Please RSPV to CDIA@FXUA.edu
Place: Fairfax University of America, Conference Room, 4401 Village Drive (Rt. 29, across Wegman’s)
Since 2011, almost 12 million people, equivalent to half of the Syrian population, have been displaced by the conflict, including 7.6 million displaced inside Syria. The Conference will discuss the causes of the conflict in Syria and the larger Middle East, the evolution of the refugee Crisis, and the response of key international and US humanitarian organizations. | ![]() |
PART I: SPEAKERS
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Dr. Birol Baskan Assistant Professor, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Qatar Making Sense of Turkey and Qatar’s Involvement in Syria |
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Radwan Ziadeh Visiting Scholar, Lehigh University and Fellow, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) The Arab Spring: a failed transition. Why and what do we do about it? |
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Tessa Mayerick External Relations Officer, United Nations Refugee Agency The Work of the UNHCR in the Refugee Crisis |
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Aerlande Wontamo Senior Resettlement Manager, Lutheran Refugee Services Lutheran Refugee Services Resettlement Work |
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Dr. Patricia Maloof Program Director, Migration & Refugee Services, Catholic Charities The Work of Catholic Charities in the Refugee Crisis Refugee Resettlement in the US |
PART II: DISCUSSION & WORKING GROUP