VPL Talk: "We fled by Land, Sea and Air" in collaboration with UNHCR, S.O.S. and I.S.S. November 18, 2008

Tuesday November 18th, 7pm
Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch: Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level - 350 West Georgia

A STORY TO TELL AND A PLACE FOR THE TELLING SERIES, 2008

"We fled by Land, Sea and Air"

in collaboration with UNHCR, SETTLEMENT ORIENTATION SERVICES (S.O.S.) AND IMMIGRANT SERVICES SOCIETY OF BC (I.S.S.)

Displaced by World War – refugees coming from Europe
The UN Convention to protect Refugees of 1951 was created in response to the massive numbers of refugees leaving war-torn Europe following World War Two.

Speakers: Lillian Boraks-Nemetz and Lesley Stalker

Lillian Boraks-Nemetz was born in Warsaw, Poland, where she survived the Holocaust as a child, escaped the Warsaw Ghetto and lived in Polish villages under a false identity. Having lost their home and family, Lillian, her parents and baby sister fled to Canada where they found peace and freedom.

Lillian has a Master's Degree in Comparative Literature and teaches Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia's Writing Centre. She is the author of numerous books, including Ghost Children and the Old Brown Suitcase.

Lesley Stalker, Assistant Legal Officer with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), will document the early days of refugee protection and Canada's response to those in need.

Lesley was recently appointed Assistant Legal Officer with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Vancouver after practicing as a refugee lawyer for many years. During her time at the Bar she chaired the Refugee Lawyers Group of the BC Immigration Section of the Canadian Bar Association.


Everyone welcome to attend this opportunity to dialogue.

More information? Please call Canadian Red Cross at 604-709-6662

Official Website: http://www.redcross.ca/lowermainland