The aftermath of major natural disasters, like the 2004 tsunami, Hurricanes Katrina, Andrew and Mitch, often reveal socially constructed disasters of gender, class, and racial inequalities of equal magnitude.  These inequalities are also evident in the post-disaster reconstruction.  This symposium focuses on the solidarities that emerge across these inequalities to rebuild communities and hope with speakers representing a spectrum of experience in different socio-economic contexts during disasters around the world.

Solidarities Across Borders in Tsunami and Hurricanes Andrew and Mitch Reconstruction

Fatima Burnad  (Society for Rural Education and Development, India) Kala Peiris da Costa (Siyath Foundaton, Sri Lanka) Juanita Mainster (Redlands Christian Migrant Association, US) Yamilet Mejia (Women’s Network Against Violence, Nicaragua)

Solidarities Across Borders in Katrina Reconstruction

Margaret Prescod (Crossroad’s Women’s Center, US) Brenda Robineaux (Principal Chief of the Houma Nation, US) Beverly Wright (Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, Xavier University of Louisiana, US)

This symposium is cosponsored by the Women and Gender in Global Perspectives Program with additional support from African American Studies and Research Program, Asian American Studies Program, Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies, Center for Global Studies, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Department of Sociology, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Council, Fire Services Institute, Gender and Women’s Studies Program, Global Crossroads Living/Learning Community, Latina/Latino Studies Program, Native American House/ American Indian Studies, Program in South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, School of Social Work, Transnational Seminar Series in Sociology, and Unit for Cinema Studies.