Join us in-person or virtually for the panel series, "Refugees in Nebraska," where distinguished speakers from Omaha refugee communities will share their perspectives and stories.

Registration is required and can be found at the link below.

In the first episode, members of the Karen community in Omaha, Nebraska, will share their perspectives and stories. The panel will provide a comprehensive overview of the Karen community, shedding light on their unique traditions and contributions to the local fabric. Then, the panel will cover a personal refugee journey, offering a narrative that reflects the challenges and strength experienced by individuals seeking refuge in Omaha. This panel series aims to foster understanding, celebrate diversity, and create a space for meaningful conversations about refugees in Nebraska.Food will be provided. First come, first served.

Panelists include:

Manger Baw: Born and raised on the border of Thailand and Myanmar, Manger is an indigenous Karen (Knyaw), former refugee and an Education advocate. In 2020, Manger founded the Karen Educational Resources, a social media-based youth empowerment and educational advising program. In 2023, Manger launched the Kaybwa Leadership and Ambassador Program, designed to empower the youth to embrace the roles of storytellers and ambassadors by actively engaging in education and civic engagement. Manger holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from the University of Nebraska Omaha. Currently, she serves as a scholarship advisor for the Thompson Learning Community at UNO, where she takes joy in contributing to the community that holds a special place in her heart.”

Paw Bway Htoo: Paw Bway Htoo was born in Thailand in a refugee camp and was resettled in the USA when she was fourteen years old. She speaks two languages in addition to English: Karen and Burmese. She graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. She got her Master’s in Public Health from Concordia University in 2022. Paw Bway was recently chosen as one of the Extraordinary and Powerful Women of 2022 by the Karen Society of Nebraska. Paw Bway Htoo’s greatest accomplishments include being a first-generation college graduate and raising her two beautiful daughters, all while working full-time. 

Landscapes of Belonging: Refugee Experiences in Nebraska and Beyond, sponsored by the Goldstein Family Community Chair in Human Rights, aims to provide scholarly knowledge on refugees in Nebraska and global refugee trends through research, teaching, and community engagement.