The 18th Annual STAR-TIDES Capabilities Demonstration will take place on April 13th-15th, 2025 at George Mason University’s Mason Square campus located at 3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22201. The Demo will showcase products and activities of the STAR-TIDES (Sharing To Accelerate Research – Transformative Innovation for Development and Emergency Support) global knowledge-sharing network. The network includes thousands of members engaged in building sustainable resilience, promoting human security, and creating life-changing social and economic activities. STAR-TIDES is coordinated through GMU’s Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities (C-RASC).
The related TIDES event in the Pentagon Center Courtyard will take place on April 16th-17th.
Registration information for all can be found HERE
Poster Contest Announcement 2025
Managing Forced Migration: Reducing Conflict and Improving Outcomes
Sunday, April 13th
10:00-4:00 Set-Up Day for Exhibitors
Monday, April 14th
9:00-9:55: Welcome and Opening Keynote Speaker (auditorium): Andrew Selee, President, Migration Policy Institute
- Topic: Provide an overview of what is currently going on around the world in terms of forced migration, including causes & implications (conflict, climate change, natural disasters, global shortages, pandemic, etc.) This is meant to serve as an overview of what the forced migration situation looks like on a global scale and will cover forcibly displaced people both as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees.
10:00-11:25 Panel 1 (auditorium) will address specific examples of forced migration: e.g., ones caused by: economic pressures, conflict or social unrest, e.g. gang violence, climate change, resource shortages, etc. 4-5 speakers. Each speaker will have 10-12 mins + Moderated Discussion and Q&A.
Panelists:
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- John Thon Majok: Director of the Refugee and Forced Displacement Initiative, Wilson Center: “Forced Migration from the Democratic Republic of the Congo based on cobalt-driven conflict.”
- Jillian Gorell, PhD. Appalachia Recovery Coalition, Long Term Recovery Group, Cocke County, Tennessee; “Migration from Appalachia based on Natural Disasters.”
- Ms. Algene Sajery: “Famine and conflict-driven migration from the Sahel, across the Sahara and the Mediterranean to Europe.”
- Migration Related to the Syrian Civil War: Speaker TBD
- Climate-driven migration in South or Southeast Asia: Speaker TBD
11:30-12:00 Networking and Visiting Exhibits (multi-purpose room)
12:00-1:20 Lunch (dine in multi-purpose room)
12:45-1:20 Luncheon Keynote Speaker (multi-purpose room): Tent Partnership for Refugees (invited), “Reducing Conflict and Improving Outcomes from Forced Migration—Humanitarian Perspectives.”
- Topic: Elaborate on humanitarian implications of forced migration, including areas of potential conflict and options for conflict resolution. How to increase job opportunities for refugees?
1:30-2:55 Panel 2 (auditorium): Panel on research shortfalls that prevent decision makers from getting more effective decision support: data science, climate science, lack of sensors, social science, narrative and storytelling, conflict resolution, decision support systems, etc. What are we missing when we conduct this research and attempt to rectify the negative impact? 4-5 speakers. Each speaker will have 10-12 mins + Moderated Discussion and Q&A.
Panelists
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- “Data Science:” Jim Baldo, GMU Data Analytics
- “Narrative and Storytelling:” Lisa Marie Gilman, Wilson Center
- “International Water Research Issues:” Dr. Paul Houser, GMU, Executive Director, Center for Resilience and Sustainable Communities (C-RASC)
- “Additional Water Research Shortfalls:” Hon. Kim Nelson, COO, TrueElements
- Climate Science: Lucas Henneman. Invited
- Geospatial Information Systems (GIS): Liping Di invited
3:00-4:25 Panel 3 (auditorium): Opportunities for local (DC, Maryland, Virginia) businesses, entrepreneurs, and NGOs to get engaged with efforts to improve outcomes and reduce conflicts related to forced migrations. 4-5 speakers. Each speaker will have 10-12 mins + Q&A at the end.
Panelists
- Iliad Terra, CEO, alfa8
- Mohamed Hafez, President, ByteWise
- Scott Sklar, President, The Stella Group,
- Possible reps from Marriott, Hilton, SODEXO, etc.
- Candidates
4:25-4:45 Networking and Visiting Exhibits
4:45-6:00 Closing Session: Policy and Governance: Managing forced migration and how government policies relate to the broader international refugee/IDP picture (this is not a US border discussion but is aimed at a global perspective).
Components
- 4:45-5:05 Videotaped Interview with Thomas L. Friedman, Moderator Linton Wells II
- Potential USG speakers from State Department Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM)
- Other policy experts
- Ms. Sharron McPherson
6:15-7:30 Reception onsite in multi-purpose room
Tuesday, April 15th
9:00-4:00 Resource Fair for Displaced Federal Workers and Contractors (multi-purpose room—right side)
9:00-4:00 Exhibits Open (multi-purpose room—left side)
- Activities
- 10:00-11:30 Presentations
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- Iliad Terra, CEO, alfa8
- Mohamed Hafez, President, ByteWise
- Scott Sklar, President, The Stella Group,
- Lab Visits and Visit to Fuse Building
- 1:00-3:00 Shark Tank