Smithsonian and the Museo y Centro de Estudios Humanísticos Present a Symposium To Broaden Discussion on Migration
Smithsonian Affiliations and the Smithsonian Latino Center have partnered with the Museo y Centro de Estudios Humanísticos (MCEH) at the Universidad del Turabo, a Smithsonian Affiliate in Gurabo, Puerto Rico, to present “Dialogues across the Puerto Rican and Caribbean Diaspora: Second Academic Encounter Symposium” Nov. 15–16, 8:30 a.m. EST. The symposium will be webcast free of charge.
In addition to the discussion taking place in Puerto Rico, two Smithsonian Affiliates in Massachusetts and Texas will participate in the event through live streaming. The webcast aims to broaden the discussion on migration and to embrace other diasporic Caribbean communities. Smithsonian Affiliations and MCEH will bring audiences together to engage in discussions about migration, arts and humanities, and diasporic experiences.
“Historically, our university has promoted initiatives that expose our students to new ideas and concepts that are guided by our socio-humanistic focus,” said David Méndez, vice chancellor of international affairs at the Universidad del Turabo. “We are delighted to collaborate with the Smithsonian Latino Center, Smithsonian Affiliations and the Museo y Centro de Estudios Humanísticos. The scholarly presentations and dialogues will enlighten our audience and provide them with valuable information on the many themes and issues that migration brings to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean island nations.”
The two participating Affiliates—Framingham State University in Framingham, Massachusetts, and the University of Texas San Antonio, Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio, Texas—will host public viewing events along with panel discussions in conjunction with the live webcast from Puerto Rico.
The Puerto Rican and Caribbean migratory scenario has presented many challenges for both the migrants and their new destinations. The aim of this symposium is to continue the dialogue to help mitigate many of those challenges. The Universidad del Turabo and MCEH are expecting a live audience of approximately 200 students, faculty, administrators and members of the local community at this event. More information regarding the schedule, topics and participants can be found at https://diasporasecondencounter.blogspot.com/.
The webcast is free and open to any organization or individual. It will be archived on the Smithsonian Affiliations website—www.affiliations.si.edu—for those unable to view the live stream. The symposium received federal support from the Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center.
About Smithsonian Affiliations
Smithsonian Affiliations is a national outreach program that develops long-term collaborative partnerships with museums, educational and cultural organizations to enrich communities with Smithsonian resources. More information and a complete list of Affiliates are available at www.affiliations.si.edu.
About the Smithsonian Latino Center
The Smithsonian Latino Center is the division of the Smithsonian Institution that ensures that Latino contributions to art, science and the humanities are highlighted, understood and advanced through the development and support of public programs, scholarly research, museum collections and educational opportunities at the Smithsonian Institution and its affiliated organizations across the U.S. and internationally. More information is available at www.latino.si.edu.
About the Museo y Centro de Estudios Humanísticos
The mission of the Museum and Center for Humanistic Studies Dr. Josefina Camacho de la Nuez (MCEH) is to collect, preserve, study and disseminate artistic and humanistic expressions of regional, national, Puerto Rican and international cultural heritage for purposes of knowledge and socio-humanist development, and the enjoyment of students, the university community and the community in general. More information on the MCEH is available at http://museo.ut.pr/.
SI-586-2018
