We are proud to announce that the fourth annual LIRS Migrant and Refugee Leadership Academy will take place June 20-22, 2016. The Academy is an event where immigrants, refugees, and allies come together to build alliances, bond over shared experiences, and develop the skills necessary to advocate on issues that affect migrants and refugees.
Applications for the 2016 Academy are now live on our website! Please encourage any migrant or refugee leaders interested in strengthening their advocacy skills to apply. The application deadline is March 18, 2016.
In 2015, 70 former refugees, 15 migrants, and Lutheran pastors convened for the Migrant and Refugee Leadership Academy. Participants came from 33 states and represented 22 countries of origin. Look back on the top highlights of the 2015 Academy.
One Academy participant, Nyamal, shares this about her experience:
I’ve now learned how to tell my story and the story of the countless refugees who came here as children and are now contributing citizens in their newfound country.
There is an African proverb that comes to mind when I think about this question: “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” LIRS has helped many migrants and refugees in their advocacy work and in creating awareness about the countless issues facing both refugees and migrants (documented and undocumented).
Together we will go far, using all of our voices. Now it is not just the voices of the LIRS staff that are being heard by the elected officials, but the voices of migrant and refugee constituents as well, which is profound and inspiring for everyone involved.
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