The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is excited to announce a free hybrid seminar series focused on global migration and refugees. Participants will be introduced to the foundational elements of global migration, and international refugee policy. Through case studies and discussions with experts – including from refugee communities – participants will learn how each refugee experience is unique, shaped by particular social, political, and economic conditions. The virtual portion of the seminar series, open to all U.S. college students, faculty and administrators, will be hosted by Indiana University’s Center for Study of Global Change and will run from June 1 through June 29, 2023.
Current Gilman scholars and alumni who will participate in the five virtual seminars on refugees and migration (or confirm viewing of the recordings) can apply to attend one of two in-person follow-on events taking place in Thessaloniki, Greece and Amman, Jordan in July 2023. These overseas seminars will provide 50 Gilman scholars and alumni with the opportunity to dive more deeply into the topics discussed during the virtual series – offering concrete examples of refugee policies in locations heavily impacted by global migration.
Please direct any questions regarding either event to GilmanEvents@iie.org.
Virtual Seminar Series
Series Occured from June 1-29, 2023. Recordings Below
Current Gilman scholars, Gilman alumni and U.S. college students, faculty and administrators participated in a series of five ninety-minute live virtual seminars, presented by Indiana University’s Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, Center for the Study of Global Change from June 1 through June 29. 2023.
The goal of this interdisciplinary, interactive series was to enhance participants’ understanding of global migration and refugees through a foreign policy lens, including the social, political, and economic impacts of these issues.
For additional resources and slides for each seminar, be sure to check out the digital toolkit
- Introduction to Foreign Policy in Focus: Refugees and Migration (June 1, 2023)
- The Global Policies and Politics of Refugee Protection: The Current System and the Path Forward (June 8, 2023)
- Exploring Experiences of Refugees and Migrants through Case Studies (June 15, 2023)
- Refugees and Asylum Seekers in the United States (June 22, 2023)
- Taking Action and Making Change to Support Refugees and Global Migration (June 29, 2023)
Overseas Seminars
Held in july 2023 – Open to Gilman scholars and alumni only
Application Closed for 2023
Current Gilman scholars and alumni who participate in the five virtual seminars on refugees and migration (or confirm viewing of the recordings) can apply to attend one of two in-person follow-on events taking place in Thessaloniki, Greece and Amman, Jordan. These overseas seminars will provide 50 Gilman scholars and alumni with the opportunity to dive more deeply into the topics discussed during the virtual series – offering concrete examples of refugee policies in locations heavily impacted by global migration.
Location: Thessaloniki, Greece
Host: U.S. Mission to Greece
Dates: July 2-8, 2023
Greece is at the heart of the global migration crisis. As the country receives a large number of refugees and migrants and is a primary entry-point for immigrants to Europe, the Greek case offers lessons applicable to the entire world. Since the height of the refugee crisis in 2014, Greek stakeholders have been active in supporting refugee populations, which continues today with support for Afghan and Ukrainian displaced people.
This summer, the Gilman Program, in partnership with the U.S. Mission to Greece and the Fulbright Foundation in Greece, will host a week-long, interactive seminar highlighting the pros and cons of Greece’s response to the refugee crisis for Gilman alumni working in fields related to refugees and migration. Seminar participants will have the opportunity to connect with Greek leaders in refugee and migration work from across society and see first-hand the practices and policies that Greece is using to address migration and refugees, a global challenge of our times. The seminar will adopt an interdisciplinary perspective, and will include national and local government, civil society, private sector, academia, media voices and leaders within refugee and migrant communities. It will also include relevant site visits and cultural activities.
Location: Amman, Jordan
Hosts: Fulbright Commission in Jordan
Dates: July 15-21, 2023
Despite its size, Jordan hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world. It’s estimated that 33% of its population is comprised of international migrants and refugees. It offers an interesting case on supporting displaced people from across the region.
This summer, the Gilman Program, in partnership with the Fulbright Commission in Jordan and the Jordan Language Academy, will host a week-long seminar for Gilman alumni to explore how refugees are (and are not) being integrated into Jordan’s national fabric. Participants will hear from local experts, policy makers and civil society engaged on refugee and migration issues. They will interact with different refugee populations to learn more about their current challenges. Currently, UNHCR recognizes more than 66,000 Iraqi refugees, 13,000 Yemenis, 5,000 Sudanese, and others from over 50 nationalities, for a total of more than 760,000 registered people of concern in Jordan. Separately, Jordan hosts 2.2 million Palestinian refugees, most of whom have Jordanian nationality. Gilman alumni will also meet with representatives from the UN High Commission for Refugees and partake in relevant site visits and cultural activities. Seminar participants will return home with a deeper understanding of and connection with refugees, as well as the political, economic and social environment in the Middle East and Jordan in particular.
These events and the Gilman Program are programs of the Department of State’s USA Study Abroad in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
Application: The online application for the overseas event has closed! There is no fee to apply or to attend this event; however, space is limited and will be filled on a competitive basis. The deadline to apply was Thursday, April 20 at 11:59PM Pacific Time. Applicants will be notified of their status via email on May 5.
Financial Support: The Gilman Program will work with selected attendees to book their round-trip airfare. A travel stipend will also be provided to support transportation costs to and from the airport in their home location and the host location, as well as meals during travel to and from the seminar.
The host organization will arrange and pay for hotel accommodations, meals and transportation costs during the seminar. Any additional personal travel or activities outside of the seminar will be at your own expense.
The travel stipend will be distributed directly to attendees’ U.S. bank account via Zelle/IIePay. Accepted students are expected to make their own travel arrangements from the airport to the seminar location using public transportation or taxis.
Contact Information:
Please direct any questions regarding either event to GilmanEvents@iie.org.