The Thanksgiving Challenge

The Working Group on Displaced Populations (or better known as WGDP) is entering its second active year at George Mason University. We acknowledge that there are many definitions of a displaced person in all fields including academia, politics and practi­tioners; however, for our purposes, a displaced person is anyone who has fled their home for fear or want. The group was started as one of many steps to persuade GMU administration to allow a Center for Displaced Populations to open here at George Mason University. The ultimate goal of the student organization is to foster and consolidate support for the creation of the Center from students, faculty, prospec­tive students, community members, and outside groups. The student organization is also trying to raise awareness concerning the conditions that displaced persons endure and the process of resettlement. By increasing awareness we hope to create a more welcoming and tolerant university environment.

This year, WGDP hopes to increase our mem­bership and outreach to other organizations, faculty members, and community allies. Our first major event of the semester, the Thanksgiving Challenge, will take place in November during the full school week leading up to Thanksgiving Break as we challenge other student organiza­tions to compete in a fundraiser to celebrate the first time refugees were resettled in the United States. Funds raised will go to community-based organizations that help with resettlement in the Fairfax area. In April, we will host our second-annual Displacement Days in an attempt to raise awareness of the displacement crises happen­ing around the world and connect students with internship and career opportunities with organi­zations that help those who have been displaced. This will be a two-day event comprised of build­ing shelters out of recycled materials and hosting speakers. 

In addition to these two major events, we will host bi-monthly meetings on campus and a mul­titude of other functions. Many of our events include speakers who work or study aspects of this topic or who have been displaced. At each meeting we invite a speaker to come for about fifteen minutes to speak and take questions. The subjects of these talks are open to all possibili­ties that relate to displaced people in some way. Another event that is speaker heavy is called My Story. We tried this for the first time at the end of last academic year. We invite people who have been displaced to come and talk to a small group, and we will create rotations to keep the audience small and intimate.

Considering our goals of further membership recruitment and extended outreach, we welcome the involvement of students at all levels of higher education and we encourage further involvement of George Mason University’s faculty and staff. Whether one is interested in joining our general membership, partnering with us on future events, connecting us with community organizations that could use our help and advocacy, or speaking at a meeting or event about their personal experience with displacement, we welcome you! If you are interested in working with us in any of these capac­ities, contactact us at [email protected].