The newly formed Asian American Pacific Islander Student Association is hosting Sher Jan Ahmadzai, director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, for a virtual presentation at noon on Sept. 28.
Ahmadzai will speak on "The Developments in Afghanistan and the Impact on Afghan Americans in the United States."
"The ongoing events in Afghanistan are a heartbreaking tragedy for Afghans in both Afghanistan and America, and we want to do our best to disseminate information about what the community is going through and how we can best support them in this difficult and frightening time," said Cassie Liu, president of the AAPI Student Association.
"Afghan refugees are presently arriving in Omaha for resettlement," she said. "Adjusting to a new location, culture, and lifestyle can be extremely difficult, especially in the face of losing what they may have had prior to the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan in August. As an institution committed to providing excellence in health care and promoting inclusivity and cultural diversity, UNMC as a whole will benefit from becoming more informed about what is affecting the lives of present and incoming Afghan Americans."
Part of the goal of the AAPI Student Association, said advocacy coordinator Tony Le, is to advocate and give strength to communities and individuals.
"Mr. Ahmadzai has passionately supported the Afghan American community through advocacy and education," he said.
The AAPI Student Association was formed in August as an interprofessional network whose mission is to facilitate meaningful connection and cultural exchange between students who identify as AAPI or are interested in learning about the AAPI community.
"As an organization, we aim to hold and promote events in four broad program categories related to AAPI interests: social programs, professional development programs, service-/community-oriented programs, and advocacy programs," said Liu.