El Cacao: Documentary Viewing Party & Post Discussion w/ the Filmmaker, Michelle Aguilar (Click here to RSVP)

Date: Monday, April 10, 6:30 - 7:45 PM ET

Brief Description: Grab some popcorn and join us for a viewing party of the documentary, El Cacao. As a treat, you’ll have a chance to connect with the filmmaker, Michelle Aguilar, on the motivation and execution of this short 20-minute documentary. Assistant Professor Ashley Cureton will serve as the discussant. This event is being offered in a hybrid format. Information about how to join the Zoom meeting will be sent to registrants who indicate that they will be attending virtually closer to the event date. Description of the Film: El Cacao exposes the dark side of chocolate production in Latin America by examining the economics of Fair Trade from the point of view of the Indigenous farmers as they attempt to sustain their community through the growth, harvest, and trade of cacao beans in the global market. This 20-minute documentary film highlights the life of an indigenous Ngabe farmer in Panama and his unconditional devotion to this so-called "superfood." The film threads together the themes of neoliberal ideology, human rights, and the economics of the chocolate industry. 

Fulbright U.S. Student Program Informational Webinar (Click here to RSVP)

Date: Tuesday, April 11, 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET

Brief Description: The Institute of International Education, on behalf of the U.S. State Department, administers the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, which offers research, study, and teaching opportunities in over 140 countries to recent graduates and graduate students. This competition is administered on campus by the International Institute (II). Over the course of winter semester, the II Fellowships & Grants team has been providing a series of workshops to help prepare your application! This workshop will be about building your project network.

Exploring Culture & Respectful Community Engagement (Click here to RSVP)

Date: Tuesday, April 11, 5:30 - 6:30 PM ET

Brief Description: During your international experience this summer, you will likely be exploring a new culture and engaging with a new community. This workshop will cover a range of topics, including: understanding and dealing with culture shock in your host country and reverse culture shock after returning back home, navigating your social identities abroad, entering and exiting your community respectfully, and ethical photography and social media considerations. This session is part of the International Center’s Global Wolverines: Preparing You to Have a Successful International Experience event series. It is open to all students.

Celebrating SWANA Culture: Embracing Diversity in Social Work (Click here to RSVP)

Date: Tuesday, April 11, 7:00 - 9:00 PM ET

Brief Description: Join the Southwest Asia and North Africa Social Work Association (SWANA) student organization for an event that will begin with a discussion of the the differences between the labels MENA and SWANA followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with Amanda Adhami, LCSW, and Sara Alazemi! Dinner will also be served so participants can engage in an Iftar together with the students who are fasting for Ramadan!

Peace Corps Lunch Chat Series: Preparing to Leave for Service (Click here to RSVP)

Date: Thursday, April 13, 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET

Brief Description: Gearing up to leave for the Peace Corps can be pretty daunting. From the medical and legal clearance process, to packing lists, and mentally preparing to leave home it can be a lot to process. Come talk with Returned Volunteers about their experience, what helped, what didn't, and how you can feel confident in leaving for an exciting journey! This informal discussion with Returned Peace Corps Volunteers is designed to give you an opportunity to ask questions and hear unique perspectives on an interesting 27 months in Peace Corps.

Earth Day 2023: Justice in Focus (Click here to RSVP)

Date: Thursday, April 13, 6:30 - 8:00 PM ET

Brief Description: After three years of COVID, we are emerging from multiple crises: global pandemic, economic downturn and mass inflation, and a crisis of racial inequality. Earth Day 2023: Justice in Focus seeks to put justice and Earth in the same conversation, removing the silos of environment, human social systems, and political ecology. The University of Michigan, led by the Tishman Center for Social Justice and the Environment at the School for Environment and Sustainability, will bring forth a critical dialogue with emerging and powerful leaders on the frontlines. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from local and national leaders on the inner workings of organizations, solutions, and leadership that emerged through the pandemic.

April International Coffee Hour - Finals Study Break (Click here to RSVP)

Date: Thursday, April 20, 2:30 - 4:00 PM ET

Brief Description: The International Center's International Coffee Hour is a great opportunity to meet new people from around the world! The event is open to all members of the U-M community, including international and U.S. students, scholars, faculty, staff and their partners. Their April Coffee Hour will be a finals study break and will include optional arts and crafts!

Physicians for Human Rights National Student Conference 2023 (Click here to RSVP)

Date: Friday, April 21 - Saturday, April 22

Brief Description: The University of Michigan Medical School and the student-run University of Michigan Asylum Collaborative are proud to host the 2023 Physicians for Human Rights National Student Conference. With a theme of "Equipping Leaders in Human Rights Advocacy," the event will provide students and trainees the practical knowledge and tools to be effective advocates for marginalized populations in the communities they serve.

International Student Graduation Reception (Click here to RSVP)

Date: Thursday, April 27, 3:30 - 5:30 PM ET

Brief Description: The International Center is excited to celebrate the academic achievement of our international graduates this year! To celebrate, they hope that graduating international students will join them for a reception in the South Lounge of the Michigan Union to enjoy a few treats and pick up a graduation cord! The International Student Graduation Cord is an initiative to showcase the broad impact of international students at U-M. These blue and green cords are only available to international students and symbolize their significant global contributions to our campus, both in and out of the classroom. There is no charge for the graduation cord. Graduation Cords will be presented to graduates at the International Center Graduation Reception and are available to all students graduating Winter and Summer 2023. If you cannot attend the reception, you should register with the "Pick Up At International Center" option to let them know you would like a cord. 

Justice; Equality; Love | Poetry Night, Participatory Theater, and Colombian Snacks (Click here to RSVP)

Date: Thursday, April 27, 5:00 - 6:00 PM ET

Brief Description: This event will combine poetry and participatory theater to showcase the work of Colombian poet, artist, and teacher Ernesto Galindo. Galindo's work is informed by his experience as a teacher in Colombia whose students primarily come from low-income contexts. Through the use of literature and participatory children’s theater, Galindo transforms classrooms into a safe space where children can develop their resilience. His poetry touches on themes of justice, equality, and love. This event will consist of a poetry recital in Spanish with English translation followed by a participatory theater activity and time for Q&A. Colombian food and drinks will be served!

Presentation Recording Available - Global Governance Frameworks are Out of Step with Climate Change and the Dynamics of Displacement

Amali Tower is the founder and executive director of Climate Refugees. She has extensive global experience in refugee protection, refugee resettlement and in forced migration and displacement contexts, having worked globally for numerous NGOs, the UN Refugee Agency and the US Refugee Admissions Program. She was the speaker at the U-M Center for the Education of Women+'s 2023 Weerasinghe Lecture, which was titled Global Governance Frameworks are Out of Step with Climate Change and the Dynamics of Displacement. You can find the recording of that presentation here.

Resources about Ramadan (Wednesday, March 22 - Thursday, April 20)

March 22 marked the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Ramadan is observed as a month of fasting, gathering, reflection, and prayer for Muslims all around the world. During Ramadan, many Muslims abstain from food and drink (including water) from dawn until sunset. You can find a Ramadan fact sheet that gives an overview of this religious holiday here.

It is important to note that this religious holiday overlaps with the end of our semester. If students anticipate difficulty with finals and coursework while fasting, the school has asked that they speak to their instructor directly.

University Resources for Ramadan - The University’s Muslim chaplaincy, the Muslim Students’ Association (MSA), and Islamic Society of Ahl-ul-Bayt offer programming and community throughout Ramadan. Any questions? Email: ramadanUM@umich.edu.

Ramadan 2020+ is an initiative spearheaded by the Islamophobia Working Group in partnership with the Muslim Students' Association to host community iftars (large community dinners) during the academic year that are open to all - Muslim and non-Muslim students, staff, faculty, and community members - keeping with the tradition of community building in Ramadan. Click here to learn more and access the iftar and night prayer schedule.

Fundraiser: Help support DACA Travelers in a U-M Class! 

The Undocumented Student Program at the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives is currently fundraising to support DACA beneficiaries in a course trip! This trip to Canada is one component of a course taught by Professor Ashley Lucas and is being organized in collaboration with undocumented and DACAmented students. International Perspectives on Theatre for Social Change brings together enrolled students and folks from communities beyond our campus to think about the ways that performance can play a part in social justice struggles. This course entails a study abroad component: a visit to the University of Toronto to see various theater performances. 

DACA beneficiaries are participating in this course, and this fundraiser will cover all legal fees and other travel costs related to ensure their safe travel to and from Canada. In order to make sure this trip is a success, they would like to request your help in the following ways: 

• They would gratefully welcome individual donations from anyone who would like to contribute. You can contribute any amount (anything is appreciated!) directly via their Gofundme.
• They ask if you can please share this Gofundme with all of your networks! Friends, professors, other student groups, or organizations you are involved with. Any share truly helps and goes a long way! 

Registration Open - Woodenfish Humanistic Buddhist Monastic Life Program

A recent alumna from the Global Social Work Practice Pathway has shared this opportunity that she had previously participated in. The Woodenfish Humanistic Buddhist Monastic Life Program has reopened for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program spans one month in the summer, and this year, it will take place in Taipei, Taiwan in a Buddhist monastery. The purpose of this program is to help students learn about history, philosophy, and meditation, with traditional cultural excursions. Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Click here to learn more.