Program highlights immigration issues
Christina Thompson
Issue date: 3/17/09 Section: Arts & Life
Students will get the opportunity to discuss and learn about immigrants and immigration issues on March 24.
The International Affairs Committee is sponsoring the program "American Collage: Many Faces, Many Cultures," which focuses on the issue of immigration. Under the umbrella topic of immigration, four separate sub-topics will be discussed, including health care, legal affairs, education and human rights.
Speakers for the program include some of Augusta State University's own faculty. Emam Hoosain, associate professor of teacher education, will present on education, while Charlotte Price, professor of nursing and chair of the Department of Nursing, will speak on health care. Both L.D. Newman, director of international and postdoctoral services at MCG, and Luis Navarro will present on legal issues. Also, Jairo Alberto a graduate student from the University of Georgia, will speak on human rights.
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the immigrant population accounted for 3.5 percent of the total population in Augusta/Richmond County. In the state of Georgia, the immigrant population made up 7.1 percent of the population.
"(Augusta) might seem to be a small place or a small town in the United States, when in reality we are surrounded by lots of people from all different walks of life," said Heather Abdelnur, assistant professor of history.
Pedro Hoyos-Salcedo, associate professor of Spanish, addressed the importance of the event and said he believes immigration issues affect everyone.
"We are all immigrants," he explained. "It's a part of our blood, and it's a part of our culture. If you look back in history, this country was built from immigrants."
The program will be a benefit students and will open their eyes to a new understanding about immigrants and immigration, according to Abdelnur.
"Maybe somebody in (a student's) family either was an immigrant or is an immigrant, and they might get a realization like, 'Hey, I'm not alone,'" Abdelnur said. "Other students who might have had a very negative view about immigration, (like) taking jobs for instance or affecting our social services for U.S. citizens, maybe they'll come away with knowing that things are a little more complex than they originally imagined.
The International Affairs Committee is sponsoring the program "American Collage: Many Faces, Many Cultures," which focuses on the issue of immigration. Under the umbrella topic of immigration, four separate sub-topics will be discussed, including health care, legal affairs, education and human rights.
Speakers for the program include some of Augusta State University's own faculty. Emam Hoosain, associate professor of teacher education, will present on education, while Charlotte Price, professor of nursing and chair of the Department of Nursing, will speak on health care. Both L.D. Newman, director of international and postdoctoral services at MCG, and Luis Navarro will present on legal issues. Also, Jairo Alberto a graduate student from the University of Georgia, will speak on human rights.
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the immigrant population accounted for 3.5 percent of the total population in Augusta/Richmond County. In the state of Georgia, the immigrant population made up 7.1 percent of the population.
"(Augusta) might seem to be a small place or a small town in the United States, when in reality we are surrounded by lots of people from all different walks of life," said Heather Abdelnur, assistant professor of history.
Pedro Hoyos-Salcedo, associate professor of Spanish, addressed the importance of the event and said he believes immigration issues affect everyone.
"We are all immigrants," he explained. "It's a part of our blood, and it's a part of our culture. If you look back in history, this country was built from immigrants."
The program will be a benefit students and will open their eyes to a new understanding about immigrants and immigration, according to Abdelnur.
"Maybe somebody in (a student's) family either was an immigrant or is an immigrant, and they might get a realization like, 'Hey, I'm not alone,'" Abdelnur said. "Other students who might have had a very negative view about immigration, (like) taking jobs for instance or affecting our social services for U.S. citizens, maybe they'll come away with knowing that things are a little more complex than they originally imagined.
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