Past Events

Pittsburgh Refugee Center Presents “Rain in a Dry Land”
Thursday, June 21, 2007
June 20, 2007 marks World Refugee Day. In recognition of this, PRC in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Filmmakers, is pleased to present the documentary film “Rain in a Dry Land,” by Anne Makepeace. The film depicts the lives of two Somali Bantu families that have been resettled in the United States. The documentary portrays the struggles, hopes and challenges that refugees encounter as they make America their new home.

A question and answer session will immediately follow the presentation featuring PRC’s Khadra Mohammed and members of Pittsburgh’s local Somali Bantu community.

Anne Makepeace is an award-winning independent writer, producer and director. Her films have been televised and screened at film festivals around the globe. Her work has been funded by the Pulitzer Foundation, HBO Films, the American Film Institute, the Sundance Documentary Fund, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and many more. Her most recent film, “Rain in a Dry Land,” has been internationally recognized at various film festivals including the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, the United Nations Film Festival, the Margaret Mead Film Festival, the Tri Continental Film Festival, Africa, and many more.
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“To Suffer in Silence”
June 2-4, 2007
A short play by Paulo Nzambi based on the story of Hashim Adam Mersal, one of the first Darfur refugees to seek sanctuary in the United States since the 2003vconflicts in Sudan. Presented by the Pittsburgh Playback Theatre, the Pittsburgh Refugee Center and the Three Rivers Arts Festival 4th River Project.  
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Baridi Night: One Cold Night for Refugees
Friday, April 13, 2007
FORGE, a student group at the University of Pittsburgh, will sponsor a variety of activities in order to raise funds to purchase blankets and support educational programs in refugee camps. Laura Petruzelli of the Pittsburgh Refugee Center will speak as part of a series of educational presentations.
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An Evening with Benjamin Ajak and Judy Bernstein
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Benjamin Ajak and Judy Bernstein, authors of They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys of Sudan, will speak at Shady Side Academy’s Senior School Campus, discussing their experiences, answering questions, and engaging the audience in a conversation about the current crisis in Darfur. PRC’s Laura Petruzelli will be on hand to share information about PRC and refugees in the Pittsburgh area.
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Global Health Perspectives
Thursday, February 8, 2007
PRC’s Executive Director, Khadra Mohammed, will be discussing refugee health issues at Carlow University.
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Women in Conflict Zones
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
The Office of Cross-Cultural and Civic Leadership and the Campus Women’s Organization of the University of Pittsburgh will host this program aimed at raising students’ awareness about refugees, women and human rights issues in conflict zones. Laura Petruzelli of PRC will be the featured speaker at the event.
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Global Health Interest Group Lecture Series
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
The Global Health Interest Group at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine presents a series of informal lectures for medical students about international health issues. As part of this series, PRC’s Khadra Mohammed will offer her perspective on health care challenges for refugees.
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Workshop on Conflict Resolution & Post-Conflict Reconstruction in Africa
Date & Time: March 24-25, 2006 @ 1:00 PM
Location: Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, University of Pittsburgh

resented by The African Studies Program, University Center for International Studies, University of Pittsburgh & The Kerr Institute of African History, Politics and Culture, La Roche College. 

The workshop will bring together faculty, students, practitioners and the general public to discuss issues of conflict resolution and post- conflict reconstruction in Africa.  Focus will be on countries such as Sudan, Rwanda, Congo (DRC), and Sierra Leone that have been devastated by civil wars. We hope, through constructive and informed dialogue, to raise awareness about critical issues contributing to conflicts and explore post-conflict reconstruction policy options.

For more Information: Contact Macrina Lelei: macrina@ucis.pitt.edu
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“Push to Protect” campaign for awareness of genocide in Darfur
Date: Tuesday, February 28, 2006 at 7pm
Location: Tree of Life Congregation at 5898 Wilkins Avenue 

This spring, the Pittsburgh Darfur Emergency Coalition (PDEC) will be working to raise awareness of the genocide in Darfur and calling on our leaders to take action. Through a series of special events and partnerships, PDEC aims to collect 10,000 post cards signed by Pittsburghers and addressed to President Bush in support of the national Million Voices for Darfur campaign.

To kickoff the “Push to Protect” campaign, Darfur advocates from Pittsburgh and Allegheny County will be gathering. This event will feature a slideshow on the history of genocide created by a student at University of Pittsburgh and President of Pitt’s Amnesty chapter, a performance by (University of Pittsburgh’s) African Drum Ensemble and a chance to participate in the postcard campaign.  This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, www.pittsburghdarfur.org
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Hotel Rwanda: A Lesson Yet to Be Learned
November 30, 2005 7 pm
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, Oakland
University of Pittsburgh student groups are cooperating to bring Paul Rusesabagina, the hero depicted in the film "Hotel Rwanda," to speak. The student groups leading the effort, Hillel JUC, African Student Organization, Amnesty International and the Black Action Society, are framing Rusesabagina's presentation in context of opportunities for global activism and involvement in Pittsburgh. On the day of the event a press meeting is scheduled from 5-5:30. Doors will open at 6. For more information, contact: adamdonnell@gmail.com
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40 under 40 Awards Ceremony
November 11, 2005 6 pm
PRC is proud to announce that our Executive Director, Khadra Mohammed, has been honored with the PUMP and Pittsburgh Magazine 2005 40 under 40 Award.   This award celebrates 40 people under the age of 40 whose creativity, vision and passion enrich the Pittsburgh region.  To purchase tickets for the Awards Ceremony, contact PUMP at: http://www.pump.org/. 
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Pittsburgh Darfur Fast Rally
October 6, 2005 12 noon – 2 pm
Concerned people in Pittsburgh and around the world will be giving up a meal or luxury good and donating the money they would have spent to organizations providing humanitarian relief to civilians in Darfur.  For more information:  www.pittsburghdarfur.org
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Amnesty International Film Festival
Sept 9 – 17, 2005
A variety of documentaries and films related to human rights issues around the world will be shown in Pittsburgh.   Khadra Mohammed of the PRC will speak as part of a panel presentation at Seoul Train on September 17, 2005.  For more information:  http://www.amnestyusa.org/filmfest/pittsburgh/2005/
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The Missing Pot Play
June 5, 7, 8, 2005
"The Missing Pot: A New Somali Folktale in America" A short play by Tammy Ryan based on the stories of the Somali refugee teens.   Presented by the Pittsburgh Playback Theater, The Pittsburgh Refugee Center and the Three Rivers Arts Festival.  Locations:   Liberty Lab
937 Liberty Ave, Downtown Pittsburgh; Unitarian Church Corner of Morewood and Ellsworth Ave, Shadyside; Frick Art and Historical Center 7227 Reynolds Street Point Breeze.