International Bulletin - December 2001
UCAM Helps Elders Adjust to American Life
 Panel discussion at the ICRIRR in Sweden. From Left: Joan Dehzad (ED and Founder of the Institute of New American), Darina Siv (UCAM's ED), Ximena Munoz (Director of Settlement and Labor, Province of Minetoba, Canada), Jeff Chanowith (CLINIC) |
It is difficult to adjust to new life when you move to another place considering the familiarity of the new place, the people, the climate, and sometimes food. But, for refugees, language barrier and new culture can make it far more difficult and often frustrating in assimilating themselves into the mainstream. It is even more frustrating for elder refugees. These are the topic in discussion at the Interrational Conference on the Reception and Integration of Resettled Refugees in Norrk6ping, Sweden last April.
Darina Siv, Executive Director of the United Cambodian Association of Minnesota (UCAM), was one of four representatives from the United States attending the conference. Ms. Siv brought with her a description of UCAM's Elders Program, which is one of the best in the country. The Conference brought together 18 countries, which have been involved in refugee resettlement. The discussion and presentation by participating delegates touched on such topics as the selection process of resettled refugees, the role of the governments involved, the role of Non-Governmental Organizations and volunteers, shelters, healthcare, etc. There are about 9,000 Cambodian refugees in Minnesota.
Last Modified: November 29, 2002