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Samantha Schildroth (Environmental Science and Biology, ’17) and Hannah Buckley (Environmental Science, ’18), were awarded scholarships to attend the 2017 Camden Conference. Held February 17-19 in Camden, Maine, the topic of this year’s program was “Refugees and Global Migration: Humanity’s Crisis.”

The conference featured speakers from around the globe who explored the varied causes of the current international crisis. They discussed the unique challenges that come with accepting immigrants from particular countries, regions, and demographic groups, as well as the factors that may drive migration in the future.

Reflecting on the weekend, Buckley said, “We live in a global society where it’s crucial that we recognize the humanitarian needs of others experiencing hardship in their home countries.” She continued, “This conference showed me that we can make a positive impact both globally and locally through joint efforts, as we work to recognize the root causes and understand this worldwide issue through different points of view.”

Schildroth echoed these thoughts, stating that she gained a deeper understanding of the refugee crisis than is shown on the news. “The various speakers discussed how each country has its own perspective on what’s happening and how to cope,” she said. “Above all, they emphasized the need for a multi-lateral, multi-national, and cooperative solution. This will only become more important in the coming years as conflicts arise over access to natural resources, all of which will be exacerbated with climate change and increasing environmental degradation.”

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