Their Story is Our Story Announces Launch of Global Refugee Archive
Salt Lake City, UT - October 18, 2021 - Their Story is Our Story (TSOS) today announced the launch of the Global Refugee Archive, a database of refugee stories from around the world. The archive is housed at Brigham Young University’s Harold B. Lee Library ScholarsArchive and is available to the public, academic researchers, and humanitarians alike.
“The launch of the Global Refugee Archive is the culmination of over four years of effort. We are thrilled to have the support of Brigham Young University in establishing this resource,” said Kristen Smith Dayley, Executive Director at TSOS. “Stories change us and they broaden our own lived experiences. There is no more powerful way to open minds and hearts.”
“The overarching goal of the Global Refugee Archive is to preserve incredible stories of triumph and inclusion while closing the gap between ‘us’ and ‘them.’ When personal stories are shared, it changes the perception and reception of incoming refugees. The Archive will allow scholars of all ages and interests to fill in the sterile research facts with real, human experiences,” said Robin Peterson, Director of Archives at TSOS.
“As the entire world watched as Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, stirring up the desire to help and understand the plight of hundreds of thousands of Afghans evacuating, as well as the countless others remaining behind Taliban lines, releasing the Global Refugee Archive to the public is not only critical but paramount, to comprehend such crises on an individual level,” Peterson said.
“Although initiated with interview materials collected by TSOS, other organizations are invited to contribute stories to the Global Refugee Archive,” said Dayley. “In so doing, the Archive will become an important tool for preserving, protecting, and disseminating personal accounts collected by groups around the world.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Global Refugee Archive will take place on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at Brigham Young University’s Harold B. Lee Library. In support of the launch of the Archive, TSOS is presenting a lecture series, “Displacement Today,” on October 21-23, 2021 at Brigham Young University and Millcreek Community Library. For additional detail and information on how to participate, please visit the lecture series webpage.
About Their Story is Our Story:
Their Story is Our Story (TSOS) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to sharing stories of the refugee journey to advocate and educate and to actuate integration. For more information, visit www.tsosrefugees.org.
Official Statement on the Detention of Refugees and Ongoing Community Violence
With another death in Minnesota and continued violence toward individuals and groups standing up for their communities, we acknowledge the profound fear and uncertainty people are feeling--not just locally, but across the country.
On top of this, there are reports that refugees invited and admitted to our country through the U.S. Refugee Admission Program are now being detained, meaning that our new friends and neighbors feel that fear most acutely.
Refugees have already fled violence and persecution once. They came here legally, seeking safety. In moments like these, we reaffirm our commitment to building communities where refugees and immigrants can live without fear. Where they can go to work, send their children to school, and build lives of dignity and belonging.
We call for due process, accountability, and humanity in all immigration enforcement operations. We call upon our leaders to demand the demilitarization of our neighborhoods and cities. And we call on all of us to continue the work of welcoming and protecting those who have been forcibly displaced from their homes.