York University Libraries has joined with the MOSAIC Institute to host a four-day event on campus to raise awareness of and funds for Syrian refugees.
The event, 4Days4Syria, will feature a variety of speakers and artwork that explores the current refugee crisis and runs Feb. 8 to 11. Each day will showcase something different, and all events take place on the second floor of Scott Library.
One of the goals of the event is to raise funds to support a sponsored Syrian family, and to benefit the organization RU Lifeline Syria Challenge. Funds will be generated through the sale of scarves, a silent auction and general monetary donations over the course of the event.
Day 1: Monday, Feb. 8 – Launch and photography exhibit
Feature: Hajir Sharifi – journalist, photographer and student, Human Rights & Equity Studies, York University
University Librarian Joy Kirchner and Dalubuhle Ndlovu of the York Undergraduate Fellows of the MOSIAC Institute will launch the event, which begins at noon and runs until 2pm.
On this first day, Sharifi will speak about his experiences at a UNHCR camp for refugees. UNHCR is a UN refugee agency that offers a lifeline to those displaced by violence and conflict.
Sharifi will also touch on the background stories of the individuals and families he photographed while at the camps. His photographs will be on display during event hours.
The official launch of 4Days4Syria and Sharifi’s talk will take place from noon to 1:30. The 4Days4Syria Committee will be on hand to collect donations for RU Lifeline Syria Challenge.
From 1:30 to 2pm there will be a sale of scarves and other donated accessories. The proceeds of this sale will go the Department of Sociology and Friends Sponsorship Group, which has been matched with a Syrian family of four. Proceeds from the sale will go towards the living expenses of the family.
Day 2: Tuesday, Feb. 9 – Guest speakers
Feature: Professor Secil Erdogan-Ertorer: “Seeking Refuge in a Hostile Zone” and PhD candidate Rana Sukarieh: “Building Hope: the experience of Sociologists at York and Friends Sponsorship Group”, Department of Sociology, York University
Erdogan-Ertorer and Sukarieh will speak to two different elements of the Syrian refugee crisis: Erdogan-Ertorer’s talk will be about the challenges of life as a refugee and Sukarieh will speak about the very specific work the sociologists at York and Friends Sponsorship Group has done to get ready for the Syrian family of four that they have matched with.
The talks will take place from noon to 1:30pm. The 4Days4Syria Committee will be on hand to collect donations for RU Lifeline Syria Challenge.
From 1:30 to 2pm there will be a sale of scarves and other donated accessories. The proceeds of this sale will go the Department of Sociology and Friends Sponsorship Group, which has been matched with a Syrian family of four. Proceeds from the sale will go towards the living expenses of the family.
Day 3: Wednesday, Feb. 10 – Spoken word poets
Feature: Shadiya Aidid, Zeinab Aidid, Nasim Asgari and Kareem Bennett – spoken word poets and students, York University
Aidid, Aidid, Asgari and Bennett have been invited by the 4Days4Syria Committee to write and speak about the Syrian refugee crisis. The poets are well-versed in issues of colonialism, racism, sexism and how these forms of oppression touch on the crisis. It is anticipated to be a lively and “live” experience of the power of words that touch people.
The poetry will take place noon to 1:30pm. The 4Days4Syria Committee will be on hand to collect donations for RU Lifeline Syria Challenge.
From 1:30 to 2pm there will be a sale of scarves and other donated accessories. The proceeds of this sale will go the Department of Sociology and Friends Sponsorship Group, which has been matched with a Syrian family of four. Proceeds from the sale will go towards the living expenses of the family.
Day 4: Thursday, Feb. 11 – Marketplace and silent auction
Feature: Scarves, photos and more for Syria: a cheerful marketplace of items on sale for a good cause
From noon to 2pm, there will be a sale of scarves and other donated accessories. The proceeds of this sale will go the Department of Sociology and Friends Sponsorship Group, which has been matched with a Syrian family of four. Proceeds from the sale will go towards the living expenses of the family.
There will also be a silent auction and/or sale of the beautiful and haunting photographs taken by Hajir Sharifi. Proceeds of the sale/auctioning of photographs will benefit RU Lifeline Syria Challenge.