Welcome Little Amal to the Nation’s Capitol on September 19th

The walk on the 19th will be followed by Children on the Move: A Policy & Learning Workshop, at Georgetown University, Copley Lounge on September 22,  10:00 am- 5:00pm. Of the estimated 281 million international migrants and refugees globally, 50 million are children. Worldwide, discourse on forced displacement and migration rarely focuses on children’s best interests, rights, and needs.  This workshop, organized by The Collaborative, provides an opportunity to consider what child-sensitive policies and responses would look like within U.S. foreign and domestic policy contexts.

Lab Artistic and Executive Director Derek Goldman comments: “Like millions around the world, I have been so moved to meet Amal, to witness firsthand her power to bring people together across generations and cultures to engage with compassion. We at Georgetown and The Lab are honored to be among those who welcome Amal, as she so indelibly symbolizes hope for displaced people around the world, and for the countless children who have been forcibly separated from their families.”

During her 4-month journey across Europe in 2021, Amal was welcomed by hundreds of artists and civil society and faith leaders, including His Holiness Pope Francis, as well as legendary actors Jude Law and Mark Rylance, Speakers of both the House of Commons and House of Lords (U.K.), the Mayor of Marseilles, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. She was also invited by the Mayor of Lviv to visit refugees from the war currently raging in Ukraine. Amal’s walk covered a vast territory, including 65 villages, towns, and cities. 

Now, Amal is walking across the United States to learn firsthand about a country that has long been a refuge for those seeking safety and opportunity – but is simultaneously struggling with how to manage long-standing issues related to immigration. Amal’s engagement with hundreds of communities across the country will help spark meaningful conversations to help us better understand who we are and where we come from. A full list of U.S. cities she will visit is available here.

“The story of the United States has been shaped by a complex history of migration and movement that touches every corner of the globe,” said The Walk Productions Artistic Director Amir Nizar Zuabi. “But the myriad challenges of today’s interconnected world are forcing many to revisit America’s status as the land of opportunity. Our hope for Amal is that she can spur conversations in communities across the country around the important role of refugees and newcomers in writing the ongoing story of the United States.”

As a public art project, among the largest ever produced, she has been heralded as “one of the most ambitious live artworks ever staged” (The Observer, 2021) and “an international symbol of human rights” (The Guardian, 2022).

In New York City last fall, The New York Times called Amal “the hottest celebrity in New York right now.” She was greeted by Mayor Eric Adams, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, actress Whoopi Goldberg and members of the NYC Council Women’s Caucus and participated in more than 50 events organized by artists and community groups across the five boroughs.