'CIVIC AMBASSADORS' AT R-N
University host to delegation of Syrian students
CAROL McLAUGHLIN, OBSERVER STAFF WRITER
Issue date: 12/16/08 Section: News
"One of our missions is to increase and sponsor a forum for cross-cultural dialogue," said associate director of the Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights, Nela Navarro.
The center recently hosted a delegation of Syrian college students on the R-N campus.
The delegation was a joint project between the center and the American Mideast Leadership Network.
The students were chosen based on their interest, not just in traveling, but in acting as "civic ambassadors." They were also in good academic standing.
They will be reporting on their visit to the U.S. to the first lady of Syria, Asma Akhras al-Assad.
The delegation was in the United States for ten days, from Nov. 17 to Nov. 28. Eleven students and two chaperones lived in Talbott and attended classes on campus.
Navarro said they enjoyed living in the dorm, as it was "a uniquely American experience."
Navarro saw the delegation visit as a success.
"[The students] asked tough questions." It "invited students to form great friendships and partnerships," she said.
During their stay, they met with leaders in the Syrian community. Bashar Ja'afari, the Syrian ambassador to the United Nations, hosted them for dinner.
They also visited the UN, where they met the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.
Thanks to contributions from private donors, the delegation was able to spend one day in Washington D.C.
In addition to sightseeing, they met with the Syrian ambassador to the US, Imad Moustapha, who hosted them for tea.
Navarro said that "R-N is unique and open to this kind of event."
Interest in the center has increased since the delegation.
"It has raised a lot of interest," Navarro added. "We hope to bring students to Syria."
For more information, those interested can visit http://www.amln.org/.
The center recently hosted a delegation of Syrian college students on the R-N campus.
The delegation was a joint project between the center and the American Mideast Leadership Network.
The students were chosen based on their interest, not just in traveling, but in acting as "civic ambassadors." They were also in good academic standing.
They will be reporting on their visit to the U.S. to the first lady of Syria, Asma Akhras al-Assad.
The delegation was in the United States for ten days, from Nov. 17 to Nov. 28. Eleven students and two chaperones lived in Talbott and attended classes on campus.
Navarro said they enjoyed living in the dorm, as it was "a uniquely American experience."
Navarro saw the delegation visit as a success.
"[The students] asked tough questions." It "invited students to form great friendships and partnerships," she said.
During their stay, they met with leaders in the Syrian community. Bashar Ja'afari, the Syrian ambassador to the United Nations, hosted them for dinner.
They also visited the UN, where they met the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.
Thanks to contributions from private donors, the delegation was able to spend one day in Washington D.C.
In addition to sightseeing, they met with the Syrian ambassador to the US, Imad Moustapha, who hosted them for tea.
Navarro said that "R-N is unique and open to this kind of event."
Interest in the center has increased since the delegation.
"It has raised a lot of interest," Navarro added. "We hope to bring students to Syria."
For more information, those interested can visit http://www.amln.org/.
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