Khmer Diaspora Conference - Lowell, Massachusetts

"The Next 50 Years: Evolving from Surviving to Thriving in the Khmer Diaspora" conference will gather scholars, educators, artists, businesspersons, healthcare practitioners, community members, and others interested in applying critical perspectives to the future of the Khmer (Cambodian) diaspora. Individuals from various Cambodian communities across the U.S. (e.g., Long Beach, CA; San Francisco Bay Area; Philadelphia, PA; Charlotte, NC; Providence, RI: Tacoma, WA, etc.) to come and share their perspectives and visions for the next 50 years. You can find a draft schedule of events here.

Importantly, this is a community-focused as well as an academic conference that welcomes attendees who may not have a formal academic background, but can speak to issues relevant to the Khmer and broader Southeast Asian communities.

The conference offers a platform to share experiences, histories, and creative expressions. Community members—including elders, youth, and leaders—will be acknowledged for their wisdom as well as their contributions to cultural life. The event will also foster intergenerational dialogue, strengthening community identity and continuity.

All are welcome, but you must register to attend, as seating is limited.

Info: MCC Cowan Center, Upper Cafeteria

Info: Welcome by Mr. Phil Sisson, President, Middlesex Community College

Info: Dr. Vichet Chhuon, Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Minnesota /
Dr. Sara Pol-Lim, Educational Consultant, Cambodian American Studies Model Curriculum Project /
Dr. Chanda Womack, Executive Director, Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education (ARISE)/

Moderator: Dr. Phitsamay Uy, Associate Professor, Curriculum and Instruction, UMass Lowell

Classroom 1

Info: Mr. Sokthea Phay, Executive Director, Wang YMCA of Greater Boston /
Representative (TBD) from Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association / Mr. Bryan Kim, Asian Youth Center: Program Coordinator/
Moderator: TBD

Info: Mr. Sokhary Chau, City Councilor and Former Mayor, Lowell /
Mr. Daniel Rourke, City Councilor and Former Mayor, Lowell /
Ms. Leakena Lunde, Clerk, Clemente Park Committee /
Ms. Joan Chun, Database Manager, Clemente Park Committee /
Dr. Sathya Pholy, President, Cambodia Town Lowell

Info: Dr. Chhany Sak-Humphry, Associate Professor, Indo-Pacific Languages and Khmer Language Coordinator, University of Hawaii at Manoa / Dr. Virak Chan, Clinical Associate Professor, Literacy and Language Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Purdue University / Mr. Daveth Cheth, Instructor, Khmer Language Arts /
Moderator: TBD

Info: The Higher Education Landscape in Cambodia: Looking Toward the Future

• H.E. Vong Aneta, Founder and Rector, Samdech Bou Kry University, Cambodia
• Ven. Chhin Horn, Board Member, Samdech Bou Kry University
• Ven. Hout Sothea, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Social Science
• Ven. Son Sophours, Department Head, Laws
Moderator: Dr. Sathya Pholy, Cambodia Town Lowell

Info: Koan-Kat Narratives: Journeys of Multi-racial Cambodian Identity

Participants:
• Ms. Nila Rivera, Student, Middlesex Community College
• Youth from Providence ARISE
• Others TBD

Info: Afternoon Plenary: “SEAsia University: From the Mekong to the Merrimack, the Creation of a Cambodian American Artist”
Speaker/performer: Mr. Sam Hy, SEAsia Band

MCC Cowan Center, Main Cafeteria Area

Info: Dr. Marina Bandeira Alexio, Director of International Initiatives, University of Minnesota / Ms. Chhaya Chhoum, Executive Director, Southeast Asia Freedom Network / Dr. Sovathana Sokhom, Lecturer Faculty, Political Science, California State University Dominguez Hills /
Moderator: TBD

Info: Dr. Andrea Decker, Reference Librarian, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress / Dr. Phitsamay Uy, Associate Professor, Curriculum and Instruction, UMass Lowell /

Moderator: Ms. Nikki Tantum, Center for Lowell History, UMass Lowell
Classroom 2

Info: Dr. Stephanie Koury, Assistant Teaching Professor, Music, Tufts University /
Ms. Bora Chiemroum, Executive Director, Angkor Dance Troupe / Moderator: TBD

Info: "The Rebirth of Apsara: Khmer Dance as Cultural Identity" / Speaker: Ms. Charya Burt, Charya Burt Cambodian Dance /

MCC Cowan Center, Lower Cafeteria Area

Info: Dinner on your own -- try out Lowell's fabulous Khmer restaurants!

Info: A daring look at the underbelly of the global art market, LOOT exposes the criminal network that used child soldiers to violently raid Cambodian temples then delivered blood antiquities to the homes of billionaires and elite western museums.

The story is deeply emotional, relying on former looters to tell their story and the top American detective to unravel a criminal network stretching from the jungles of Southeast Asia to the top of the Western art world.

Info: “From Refugee to Cultural Guardian: A Journey of Survival, Service, and Heritage” - Ms. Lisa Koung, Executive Director, Khmer Performing Arts and Culture (KPAC), Philadelphia, PA /
“A Journey Home” - Mr. Chummeng Soun, Program Coordinator, Angkor Dance Troupe/Khmer Urban Ballet and Mr. Peter Veth, Angkor Dance Troupe/Khmer Urban Ballet /

Discussant: Dr. Toni Shapiro-Phim, Brandeis University

Info: Cambodian Voices Speak Out
Dr. Brad DeMatteo, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Music, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill / Dr. Nielson Sophann Hul, Lecturer of Khmer Language, Department of Asian Languages and Literature, University of Washington / Ms. Vanny Whitchelo, Founder, Khmer Voices podcast /

Moderator: TBD

Info: Writing Ourselves Into Existence: Making Space for Cambodian American Literature

Mr. Bunkong Tuon, Professor, Department of English, Union College, Poet, Novelist /
Ms. Pichchenda Bao, Independent Artist, Poet /
Mr. Chath Piersath, Independent Artist, Poet /


Moderator: Dr. Jonathan Bennett, Middlesex Community College

Info: Intergenerational Trauma: Breaking Cycles and Holistic Healing

Speakers:
Ms. Bunthy Prum, LCSW, Evergreen Valley College/UCSF Hospital /
Dr. Irrawaddy LaMouth, MD, University of Washington /
Mr. Paul Sarun, BS, Cass County Social Worker (MN) /

Moderator: Dr. Kara Uy Has, Evergreen Valley College

Info: Khmer Community Leaders Open Forum/Networking
Representatives from various communities in the diaspora (Philadelphia, Houston, Chicago, Stockton, Long Beach, Charlotte, etc.) to network/engage in dialogue about advocacy and organizing in Khmer America. Student Forum/Networking
Students from UML Introduction to Cambodian Culture and History/Asian American Studies open forum, facilitated by graduate student Erika Pen

Info: Afternoon Plenary: Threads of Identity: Cambodian Fashion & Textiles in the Diaspora /
Ms. Ratha Kim, Founder, Rajana Threads /
Ms. Krystal M. Chuon, Writer, Artist, Content Manager, Rajana Threads / Discussant: TBD

Info: Ms. Erika K. Pen, Program Assistant, Asian American Center for Excellence and Engagement,UMass Lowell / Ms. Sreynin Chhoeun, Global Cambodia Youth Network /
Representatives from Providence Youth Student Movement / Moderator: TBD

Info: • Cambodian American Literary Arts Association (CALAA) of Lowell board members

Info: Workshop 2:
Creating Cultural Awareness of Cambodian Traditions and Legends for Khmer Youth: Art Workshop

Workshop Facilitator:
• Mr. Sayon Syprasoeuth, Independent Artist and Associate Director, United Cambodian Community, Long Beach, CA

Info: Ms. Li-Da Kruger, Founder, Reconnecting Cambodia / Lowell panelists (TBD) / Moderator: TBD

Info:
Participants:
• TBD / Moderator: TBD

Info: Documentary Film Screening, followed by Q & A:
Ghost Mountain /
Speaker: Mr. James Taing, Filmmaker / Discussant: TBD

Info: Evening Plenary /
“A Legacy of Resilience and Service” /
Speaker: Mr. Leth Oun, U.S. Secret Service (Ret.), Genocide Survivor

Info: Special Event: Samuels Center for Community Partnerships & Civic Transformation (COMPACT), Brandeis University
• Welcome remarks by Dr. Toni Shapiro-Phim, Director of the Program in Peacebuilding and the Arts, Brandeis University
• Film screening of Taste of the Land
• Discussion with award-winning filmmaker Ms. Kalyanee Mam

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Middlesex Community College Lowell, 33 Kearney Square, Lowell, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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