Guilford will transform its campus into a haven for conversations and understanding when the College hosts a Sept. 4 forum for refugees to tell their stories of being displaced by conflict in their home countries.

The Human Library: Fleeing Hope, Finding Home will offer attendees the opportunity to sit at the same table with four refugees who will share their stories of escape from conflict-ridden countries and their journeys to finding refuge in North Carolina and across the United States.

Noor Ghazi, the University Sponsorship Program Director for Guilford’s Every Campus A Refuge program, says it’s important to create a space where conversations can flourish. "We want to encourage dialogue between our guests and students and whoever attends," she says. "By hearing these stories firsthand, we hope to break down barriers and build bridges of understanding."

Attendees will hear from Tabata Chisse, whose family fled Mexico’s drug cartel violence; Blaise Pascal, who grew up in Burundi before arriving in Greensboro in 2019 as part of Every Campus A Refuge; Abdul Alkhasrachi, a refugee from Iraq who also came to Greensboro through ECAR; and Shabnam Jan, a former judge in Afghanistan, whose family spent 20 months in refugee camps before arriving in Greensboro.

Guilford's commitment to hosting "Fleeing Hope, Finding Home" is a follow up to the College’s Conceptualizing Peace forum held in April. The forum, which will be from 7-9 pm in the West Gallery in Founders Hall, is open to all. You can register here.

Guilford students, faculty and members of the local community are invited to attend and learn more about the refugee experience.