Religion Newswriters Association Pre-Conference: Immigration
RNA Pre-Conference Schedule
Register here: https://emorylaw.wufoo.com/forms/religion-newswriters-association-preconference/
8:30am – 10:30am: Transport from Decatur Marriott
8:30am – 9:30am: Breakfast
9:15am – 9:30am: Welcome
9:30am – 11:00am: PANEL 1 – Midterm 2014: Religion, Immigration & Politics
Despite, or perhaps, as a result of the gridlock in Washington over comprehensive
immigration, the political salience of immigration continues to grow. How will
immigration affect the mid-term election, and how are religious communities and
religious beliefs impacting the electorate?
Panelists
Panel 1: Religion, Immigration & Politics – Midterms 2014
John Blake, CNN (Moderator)
Robbie Jones, Public Religion Research Institute
Merle Black, Emory University
Suzii Paynter, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Teresa Fry Brown, Emory University
Jerry Gonzalez, Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO)
11:00am-11:30am: Coffee & Networking Break
11:30am-1:00pm: PANEL 2 – Religion and Immigrant Support Networks
Religion and religious communities are often the place where immigrants turn for support
and assistance. This has been true throughout American history and continues to be true
today. How are religious communities adapting to changes in immigration patterns? How
are religious communities finding spaces of solidarity as well as hospitality for
immigrants? What remains to be done?
Panel 2: Religion & Immigrant Support Networks
Jeremy Redmon, Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Moderator)
Marie Marquardt, Emory University
Manuel Vasquez, University of Florida
Don Kerwin, Center for Migration Studies
Aparna Bhattacharyya, Raksha
1:00pm-2:30pm: Lunch (Sponsored by Pew Research)
2:30pm-4:00pm: PANEL 3 – Religion and Immigrant Integration
Immigration brings constant change to the face of religion in the United States. New
immigrants must navigate a foreign religious environment and immigrant-receiving
communities must adapt to the presence of new congregants, worshippers, and houses of
worship. How do immigrants adapt and change their new home? How do established
religious communities adapt and welcome new immigrants and their new religious
practices or ways of practicing?
Panel 3: Religion & Immigrant Integration
Silas Allard, Emory University (Moderator)
Abdullahi An-Na’im, Emory University
Jehu Hanciles, Emory University
Don Seeman, Emory University
Karen Lyons, Clarkston United Methodist Church
4:00pm-4:30pm: Coffee & Networking Break
4:30pm-6:00pm: PANEL 4 – Traffic Report
Atlanta happens to be a hotbed for sex trafficking. But religious leaders worldwide have
seized on the effort to end human trafficking and slavery. How are local religious leaders
addressing the problem and what dangers and obstacles are they encountering along the
way?
Panel 4: Traffic Report
Letitia Campbell, Emory University (Moderator)
Ambassador Luis CdeBaca, State Deparment
Sister Marlene Weisenbeck, Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
Jeff Shaw, Out of Darkness
Alia El-Sawi, Department of Homeland Security
6:00pm-6:45pm: Transport to Decatur Marriott
7:00pm-8:00pm: Reception @ Decatur Marriott