News Release: School of Public Health
Nov. 9, 2009
Sudanese Refugee Valentino Achak Deng Hosted at Emory Nov. 12
Valentino Achak DengEmory University will host Sudanese refugee Valentino Achak Deng for a public forum on Nov. 12.
The event, open to the public and members of the refugee community, will feature a keynote address by Deng, volunteer opportunities with the refugee community and an organizational fair with refugee agencies in the Atlanta area.
It will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Woodruff Health Sciences Administration Building, located at 1440 Clifton Rd., Atlanta.
Dave Eggers famously chronicled Deng’s transition from a "Lost Boy of Sudan" to a refugee resettled in Atlanta in his best-selling book, What is the What? The book traces Deng’s flight from ethnic violence in Sudan to a harsh life in refugee camps in Ethiopia to his challenges being resettled in Atlanta. This time Deng is returning to Atlanta to raise awareness on the needs of local refugees and seek support for this latest endeavor—a new secondary school in his home village of Marial Bai, Sudan.
“We are excited to welcome Valentino back to Atlanta,” says Paul Fleming, a graduate student in Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health and event organizer. “I am confident that this event will strengthen ties with Atlanta’s refugee community in a lasting and meaningful way.”
The event is organized by Emory Refugee Connection and Scholars in Action—student organizations at the Rollins School of Public Health—and in collaboration with Refugee Women’s Network, Refugee Family Services, International Rescue Committee, Emory University’s Office of University–Community Partnerships, Emory Global Health Institute, RSPH Student Government Association, Masters International Program, Clarkston Community Center, Project SHINE, Oakhurst Community Clinic, Volunteer Emory, Emory Global Health Organization, and others.
For more information or to RSVP, call 404-712-0672.
Originally posted on Nov. 2, 2009.
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