MultiCultural Student Association Attends CARE Conference in D.C.

University of Southern Maine’s, MultiCultural Student Association (MCSA) were extended an invitation to attend the CARE Conference & International Women’s Day Celebration in Washington, DC, March 5th to the 9th.  Fourteen USM students were recognized by CARE as the largest delegation to attend the CARE conference. Students raised funds throughout the semester by selling ethnic foods and accepting donations from supporting faculty and departments.   
           The CARE organization has been effective for 67 years fighting global poverty and providing humanitarian aid to countries around the world.   Workshops at the conference were specifically related to end Gender-based violence (GBV) and a focus on Foreign Assistance/ International Affairs budget. The students attended various workshops in preparation to lobby Maine’s Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Michael Michaud.
          The day on Capitol Hill was exciting for the MSA students. For many this was their first trip to DC.  Students waited anxiously in the hallways and conference rooms to meet with Maine Senators and House members.  Rizwan Khan, Raina Heinold, Leila Mohamed and Fatima Al-Freihy lobbied to continue funds to fight global poverty by continuing support  of the International Affairs budget which  is one percent of the US budget while, Ines Rwaganje, Anna Ivanova, Khristy Mclaughlin, and Ruth Brasier lobbied for implementation of  the US strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender –based violence globally.
    All students who attend the CARE conference state it was an experience of a life time they will always remember.