ECDC's 16th Nannual Conference and Banquet
African Refugees and Immigrants:
Challenges, Changes, Champions

May 3-5, 2010
Holiday Inn Ballston
Arlington, VA

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Click here to go to the conference Web page!

About the Conference:

This year’s conference theme is The Future of African Refugees and Immigrants: A Time for New Thinking. The theme represents a past year of progress and concern about African newcomers to the U.S. and overseas. Only 8,935 African refugees were resettled in FY 2008 due primarily to DNA testing. Today, family reunion for thousands of African refugees is in jeopardy. With the U.S. economy in recession, employment for newcomers to the country will take on new challenges to help them become and remain self-sufficient. Ongoing and new conflicts will continue to pose threats to African refugees on the continent…from the DRC to Somalia, South Africa to Zimbabwe. Refugees in Africa as well as newcomers here remain vulnerable, and new ways of thinking about their future and how best to assist them are needed.

Our May 2009 conference will look at new strategies for working with the African refugee and immigrant community. Sessions will include discussions on the crises in Africa; policy updates from government officials; workshops on health and human services; and new ways of approaching community partnerships.

The conference typically attracts over 250 people from African community-based organizations; federal, state, and local government agencies; refugee service providers; think tanks; academia; and African newcomers. Participants will engage in panels, workshops, and discussions in addressing ways to improve important services provided to newcomers from Africa. There will also be time to network and share experiences.

About the Banquet

This year's annual banquet will feature a look at ECDC's 26 years of service to the community while celebrating the accomplishments and contributions that African newcomers bring to their new homeland. The event will be held Tuesday, May 5th from 6:30-10:30pm at the Holiday Inn Ballston.  

Contact:
Selam Mulugeta
smulugeta@ecdcinternational.org
703-685-0510 x219