By: Emma Rasmussen
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV)- Scholars-At-Risk is hosting a discussion panel to speak on the topic of war.
The panel will feature Uchenna Awoke, a Nigerian writer who has been awarded several fellowships, and Professor Salman Abdo Al-Shami, a Yemeni entomologist. Moderating the panel will be Padma Viswanathan, a U of A creative writing professor.
The panel, set to take place Wednesday, November 15th at 4 p.m., will discuss the far-reaching impacts of war, including impacts on the environment and trauma, as well as how the literature and art to come out of war provides insights to the level of impact.
Luis Fernando Restrepo, co-chair of the Scholars-at-Risk committee, said this event is to act as a response to current world events that also incorporates the impact of war. Each panelist will bring their own viewpoints of war to the panel. Awoke will be focusing on the human cost of war, while Al-Shami will be talking about the environmental cost of war.
Scholars-At-Risk, an international network, looks to defend academic freedom worldwide.
“Having academic freedom is a privilege that not everyone enjoys, and we want to express our solidarity with other people,” said Luis Fernando Restrepo, co-chair of the Scholars-at-Risk committee.
There are several international students, from the Middle East who have expressed concern and difficulty in relation to the ongoing war. Restrepo himself, is from Colombia, and for most of his life the country has been in an armed conflict.
“Those things, you know, leave scars, stories that you hear, you know sometimes affect you directly in your family, your friends or so forth.”
Because of this personal connection, the topic of war is something Restrepo is passionate about.
“I know how much war can devistate, you know, whole communities, tear apart countries, people,” said Restrepo. Overall, he believes in creating a culture of collaboration and solving conflict.
The panel is free and open to everyone.