From Monday, Apr. 10 to Friday, Apr. 14, NYU Shanghai hosted Refugee Awareness Week. The week was organized by NYU Shanghai’s chapter of No Lost Generation, a global initiative committed to action in support of children and youth affected by the refugee crisis in Syria and Iraq. The week consisted of several events that discussed or were centered around the growing refugee crisis. Some highlights from the week include the screening of White Helmets, an oscar-winning documentary following a group of rescue workers in the Syrian Civil Defense. Yaman Maarrawi, the head of the NYU Shanghai chapter of No Lost Generation, said he was quite moved by not only the documentary but also the questions and considerations it prompted in our student body. “People were pushed to think about how we can help and what we can do,” Maarrawi said. The session on Refugees: Facts and Figures, held by NYU Shanghai’s Quiz Bowl club, made the crisis a reality; the debate hosted by Collective Voices allowed students to align themselves with those that remain unheard. As a whole, the week was full of students stepping up and engaging in the issue.When asked what the larger aim of Refugee Awareness Week was, Yaman stressed that it was to get people involved and get people thinking. “Our campus is very supportive and warm, the next step is to take action,” he said. Thus, the most important event was the workshop on getting involved. There are many ways one can get involved, but according to No Lost Generation, education may have the most significant long-term effect. For example, organizations like Small Projects Istanbul provide supplemental education to those affected by the refugee crisis and are prevented from continuing their studies. Volunteers are welcome to apply. There are several other projects worth getting involved in as well.For any member of the community interested in learning more, please do not hesitate to contact Maarrawi or another member of No Lost Generation. This article was written by Sarah Tahir. Please send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Yaman Maarrawi