Events
By the end of 2017, one person every two seconds became forcibly displaced; that’s 44,500 people every day. Perilous journeys, political attacks, forced returns, ethnic and religious violence, a resurgent slave trade, torture, and murder are some of the realities facing the tens of millions of forcibly displaced people around the world.
Shattering Refuge, an award-winning short documentary film by Penn junior Sonari Chidi, explores the role of the media as instigator or observer in the crisis. Filmed on three continents, Shattering Refuge goes beyond statistics and puts a human face on the lives of refugees and asylum seekers by allowing audiences to hear their voices directly. In addition, members of the media, politicians, and NGO workers get to state their views. The film powerfully compels all to envision a way forward in a world where the idea of refuge has been shattered and complacency is no longer an option.
Camille Z. Charles, Director of Penn’s Center for Africana Studies, will introduce the film, alongside filmmaker Sonari Chidi. Following the 23-minute film screening, a panel of distinguished guests with unparalleled experience in forced displacement, human rights, law, and journalism will discuss the film’s major themes and ramifications for the refugee protection and support regime. There will then be a question and answer period with the audience, and a public reception to follow.
Panelists
- Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Perry World House Distinguished Global Leader in-Residence
- Michel Gabaudan, former President of Refugees International and Perry World House Visiting Fellow
- Sozi Tulante, former Philadelphia City Solicitor, Perry World House Visiting Fellow, and Penn Law Lecturer
- Emma Restrepo, Immigration Reporter and Radio Host, DosPuntos
- Fatemeh Shams, Penn Assistant Professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations
