RSD-Routes Panel Discussion on Sudan
FEBRUARY 26 2025 | WEDNESDAY | 13:30-15:00 GMT | ZOOM
A virtual panel discussion on the Sudan crisis
A Routes - Migration, Mobility, Displacement colloquium | |
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Date | 26 February 2025 |
Time | 13:30 to 15:00 |
Place | Zoom Meeting ID: 204 581 6730 Password: 132530 |
Provider | Routes - Migration, Mobility, Displacement |
Event details
We are delighted to announce that ROUTES will be hosting a virtual panel discussion on Wednesday 26th Fenruary (13:30-15:00 BST) on understanding the Sudan crisis.The idea of having a panel on Sudan came from the fact the the Refugee Support Devon (RSD) are seeing an increase in the numbers of Sudanese asylum seekers coming to Exeter and therefore we welcome this opportunity as an informative discussion on the general situation and on how the Plymouth based colleagues at Devon and Cornwall Refugee support (DCRS) are dealing with it. The discussion will be chaired by Professor Elena Isayev, and will feature contributions from the following speakers:
1. Chessie Baldwin
Chessie Baldwin is a postdoctoral historian of gender, war and displacement. Her research background is on women's lives in war in Tigray, Ethiopia, including oral history interviews with Tigrayan women displaced into Sudan between 1974-2022. Her PhD thesis explored the gendering of the refugee landscape & resilience and suffering in Um Rakuba refugee camp in Sudan.
On the panel, she will discuss sexual and gender-based violence has been widespread in Sudan's ongoing crisis. She will explore the historical and political dimensions of sexual violence in war and the spectrum of violence Sudanese and refugee women have had to navigate since 2023, and briefly detail Sudan's history as a site of sanctuary for refugees, and the often-overlooked dangers facing those in displacement camps during armed conflict.
2. Azza Gasim
Azza Gasim is a UK-based interdisciplinary artist, who is ready to take the creative world by storm with Azza's Gallery. Her strong passion for the arts will help to empower and inspire others and bring light and love to their lives. Her commitment to art extends beyond creation; she delves into art curation with a mission to craft exhibitions that speak volumes. One standout project is "Sudan: Past, Present, and Future." This immersive exhibit provided a comprehensive journey through Sudan's history, challenges, and dreams, featuring a mix of photos, videos, artworks, and a curated music playlist celebrating Sudanese culture. She has ensured visitors experienced Sudan authentically by including snacks and books from local sources.
She will talk about the effects of the war from the young people on social media- Sudanese communities and initiatives that have come out from this war. As well as speaking about the rolling exhibition she has done to raise awareness at Plymouth University, The Barbican Theatre and The Box all located here in Plymouth. Please check this link: https://azzagasim.myportfolio.com/sudan-past-present-and-future-exhibition-20234
3. Melike Abbot
Melike Batgiray Abbot is a PhD researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory and a PhD candidate at Humboldt University of Berlin in African Studies. Her research focuses on the intersection of Islamic law, colonial rule, and social order in British colonies during the 19th and 20th centuries, with a particular focus on Sudan. Her PhD dissertation, "Political Crime in Colonial Sudan During the Dual Rule of Britain and Egypt (1898-1956)", explores the history of colonial criminal law in Sudan, focusing on the concept of "political crime." This research sheds light on the complex legal landscape of Sudan during the colonial period, where various legal systems – including Islamic law, Ottoman law, Egyptian law, and British law – interacted and influenced one another.
Her topic of discussion is "Discrepancies Between Legislation and Application of Colonial Criminal Law in Sudan During the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium". While her research focuses on the historical context of legal systems in Sudan, it offers valuable insights into the complexities of Sudanese society and the lasting impact of colonial rule. Understanding this historical context is crucial for comprehending the current situation in Sudan and the root causes of the ongoing conflict. Her expertise in this area can contribute to a deeper understanding of the historical factors that have shaped the current crisis.
4. Rita Kahsay
Rita's background is in Chemical engineering, she is a co author of 'in plain sight' a book on CRSV in Tigray and the executive director of Irob anina. Over the past three years she has focused on gathering testimonies from victims of atrocity crimes and presenting their plight on many platforms. Rita lived in the refugee camps in Sudan that housed over 70,000 Tigrayans for a year and is now based in Tigray continuing the same work.
At the panel, she will speak about her research and firsthand experiences in Sudanese refugee camps, focusing on the realities of life for displaced communities, particularly women. She will explore the risks they face, including sexual and gender-based violence, and the broader challenges of living in displacement. She will also share insights from her travels in the region, especially after the conflict began, and how these experiences have shaped her understanding of the ongoing crisis.
5. Waleed Abdallah
Waleed Abdallah is a Sudanese-British professional with a background in International Relations (MA in Global Security and Development). He is an IAA Level 1 immigration advisor and currently serves as the Casework Manager at Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support. Waleed is the Founder and Chair of the Give Back Project, a charity in Plymouth aimed at changing perceptions of refugees and asylum seekers. With experience working with organisations such as the British Red Cross, Cornwall Council, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Greece, Waleed brings knowledge and commitment to supporting vulnerable communities.
6. Valentina Todino
Valentina Todino is Honorary Associate Research Fellow for the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures (MLC) and MA in Applied Translation, at University of Exeter (UoE), following her BA Hons in Modern Foreign Languages at the University of Rome, La Sapienza. Her interest has focused on migration and translation of identity for several years. Since 2017, she has been working on a project called Transcultural Devon (Transcultural Devon (exeter.ac.uk)) in the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, in the Department of Modern Languages at University of Exeter.
As a strong believer in praxis and inspired by her will to continue her research into migration issues, she decided to build first-hand experience of working with asylum seekers and refugees. Alongside her independent research role, she is now become Drop-in and Events coordinator for the charity Refugee Support Devon, based in Exeter.
Zoom link:
https://Universityofexeter.zoom.us/j/2045816730?pwd=ckdHSlZ1RnB0dWlSdDlneXZzWGdFQT09
Meeting ID: 204 581 6730
Password: 132530
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