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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20261008T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20261008T193000
DTSTAMP:20260729T103604
CREATED:20260727T183629Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260727T183839Z
UID:10000093-1791484200-1791487800@worldmichigan.org
SUMMARY:New Neighbors\, Shared Stories: An Evening with Beth Nguyen
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate stories of immigration and belonging with the author of Stealing Buddha’s Dinner\, a memoir set in Grand Rapids. Beth (Bich Minh) Nguyen will share her experience growing up as a Vietnamese refugee in West Michigan and invite us to reflect on identity\, family and finding home. \n  \nMore on Beth Nguyen\, author of Stealing Buddha’s Dinner and Owner of a Lonely Heart. \n  \nThis program is the first in a series titled:  From New Americans to Neighbors\n \n  \nWest Michigan has long taken pride in being a welcoming place for immigrants and new Americans. What does immigration in that welcoming West Michigan look like today? Join the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan for their annual community speaker series for a discussion designed to foster learning and dialogue around immigration and refugee experiences and to help us educate our community on the importance and value of immigration in the larger world as well as in West Michigan. \n  \nWith thanks to our sponsoring partner at Kent District Library \n  \nRSVPs and Tickets \nThis program is free and open to the public. If you wish to view a recording of the program\, the program will be archived and available on our YouTube channel. \n  \nParking \nFree parking is available at the library.
URL:https://worldmichigan.org/event/nguyen_kdl/
LOCATION:Kentwood Branch (Richard L. Root)\, Kent District Library\, 4950 Breton Rd SE\,\, Kentwood\, MI\, 49508\, United States
CATEGORIES:KDL
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://worldmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IMG_0733.jpeg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20261015T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20261015T193000
DTSTAMP:20260729T103604
CREATED:20260727T184326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260727T184326Z
UID:10000094-1792089000-1792092600@worldmichigan.org
SUMMARY:From Global Displacement to Local Welcome: Making Sense of Migration Today
DESCRIPTION:What does global migration have to do with our community? Drawing on decades of experience responding to humanitarian crises around the world\, Jeremy Konyndyk\, President of Refugees International\, will explore how global forces such as conflict and climate change shape migration and how those realities connect to communities like ours. \n  \nMore on Jeremy Konyndyk\, President of Refugees International. \n  \nThis program is the second in a series titled:  From New Americans to Neighbors\n \n  \nWest Michigan has long taken pride in being a welcoming place for immigrants and new Americans. What does immigration in that welcoming West Michigan look like today? Join the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan for their annual community speaker series for a discussion designed to foster learning and dialogue around immigration and refugee experiences and to help us educate our community on the importance and value of immigration in the larger world as well as in West Michigan. \n  \nWith thanks to our sponsoring partner at Kent District Library \n  \nRSVPs and Tickets \nThis program is free and open to the public. If you wish to view a recording of the program\, the program will be archived and available on our YouTube channel. \n  \nParking \nFree parking is available at the library.
URL:https://worldmichigan.org/event/konyndyk_kdl/
LOCATION:Kentwood Branch (Richard L. Root)\, Kent District Library\, 4950 Breton Rd SE\,\, Kentwood\, MI\, 49508\, United States
CATEGORIES:KDL
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://worldmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Jeremy-Konyndyk.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20261022T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20261022T193000
DTSTAMP:20260729T103604
CREATED:20260727T185021Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260727T185021Z
UID:10000095-1792693800-1792697400@worldmichigan.org
SUMMARY:Welcoming Together: Local Organizations\, Global Impact
DESCRIPTION:Global stories don’t stay far away — they become part of life right here in West Michigan. Members of the Office of Global Michigan\, the Refugee Education Center and local leaders will share their own immigration journeys that led them to West Michigan. Learn how global challenges translate into local action and how communities come together to create a culture of welcome. \nProgram begins at 6:30 PM. Join us for a reception beginning at 5:30 PM\, in which we will have booths and tables with local area organizations sharing information on how they are supporting our immigrant and refugee neighbors. \n  \nMore on the Office of Global Michigan and the Refugee Education Center. \n  \nThis program is the last in a series titled:  From New Americans to Neighbors\n \n  \nWest Michigan has long taken pride in being a welcoming place for immigrants and new Americans. What does immigration in that welcoming West Michigan look like today? Join the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan for their annual community speaker series for a discussion designed to foster learning and dialogue around immigration and refugee experiences and to help us educate our community on the importance and value of immigration in the larger world as well as in West Michigan. \n  \nWith thanks to our sponsoring partner at Kent District Library \n  \nRSVPs and Tickets \nThis program is free and open to the public. If you wish to view a recording of the program\, the program will be archived and available on our YouTube channel. \n  \nParking \nFree parking is available at the library.
URL:https://worldmichigan.org/event/panel_kdl/
LOCATION:Kentwood Branch (Richard L. Root)\, Kent District Library\, 4950 Breton Rd SE\,\, Kentwood\, MI\, 49508\, United States
CATEGORIES:KDL
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://worldmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Meg-Wheeler-Derrer-Headshot.jpeg
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