Boston Book Festival: Storella Moderates Inspiring Migration Discourse
In a thought-provoking session at the Boston Book Festival held in Copley Square, Ambassador Mark Storella, Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy at Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, took the role of moderator for a panel discussion that delved into the complex themes of human vulnerability and migration. The distinguished panel comprised four authors—Professor Muhammad H. Zaman, Director of the BU Center on Forced Migration; Saket Soni, a prominent labor organizer; historian Carly Goodman, and climate journalist Jake Bittle. Each author brought a unique perspective to the table, offering diverse insights into the challenges faced by individuals confronting forced displacement and migration.
The discourse centered on the myriad ways in which people, grappling with the harsh realities of forced migration, strive to reclaim their freedom and human dignity. The adversities they confront, ranging from limited access to healthcare to the devastating impacts of climate change and the scourge of human trafficking, formed the focal points of the conversation.
A captivated audience of over 100 actively engaged with the panel, posing queries that probed the motivations behind individuals placing themselves in the paths of climate catastrophes. Questions also delved into the exploitation of vulnerable populations for labor trafficking, even within the United States. Attendees sought insights into viable solutions for a world witnessing a constant rise in refugees and internally displaced persons, often with limited avenues for resolution.
Amb. Storella shared compelling narratives, drawing from his experiences recounting the challenges faced by Kenya in maintaining one of the world’s largest refugee camps, Dadaab, within its borders. Additionally, he shed light on the strategic efforts of the U.S. in resettling refugees as a means of burden sharing.
The discussion extended to scrutinizing the deficiencies in existing international agreements on refugees and displacement, particularly in light of evolving migration trends. The collective expertise of the panelists illuminated the multifaceted challenges posed by forced migration, urging society to confront these issues with empathy and actionable solutions.
Ambassador Mark C. Storella was a United States Foreign Service Officer for over three decades serving as Ambassador to Zambia, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration, and Dean of the Leadership and Management School of the Foreign Service Institute. Storella is a recipient of the Presidential Rank Award, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Excellence in Service Award, the Thomas Jefferson Award presented by American Citizens Abroad, and several Department of State superior and meritorious honor awards. Learn more about Ambassador Storella on his faculty profile.
Muhammad H. Zaman is the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor of Biomedical Engineering and International Health at Boston University. He is director of the Center on Forced Displacement at Boston University. He is the author of Bitter Pills: The Global War on Counterfeit Drugs and Biography of Resistance: The Epic Battle between People and Pathogens.
Saket Soni is a labor organizer and the author of The Great Escape: A True Story of Forced Labor and Immigrant Dreams in America. He is the founder and director of Resilience Force, a national nonprofit that advocates for the rising workforce that rebuilds after climate disasters. He was profiled as an “architect of the next labor movement” in USA Today and named one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business for 2022. His work was the subject of a major New Yorker feature story He has testified before Congress and at the United Nations. Originally from New Delhi, Saket lives in Washington, DC.
Jake Bittle is a staff writer for Grist, where he covers climate change. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Harper’s Magazine, and a number of other publications
Carly Goodman is a public historian and the author of Dreamland: America’s Immigration Lottery in an Age of Restriction. Carly is a Senior Editor at Made by History at TIME Magazine, where she edits commentary and analysis from the nation’s leading historians.