27/10/2023 – Online seminar: The impact of telepresence technologies on the place attachment of Syrian refugees in the Netherlands

Mohammad Khalaf, Maastricht University 

Advanced audio-visual technologies and means of digital communications (also known as telepresence technologies) have changed the concept of presence and mobility for their users. For instance, a person can attend a wedding in real time via video calling applications while physically being overseas. In other words, one can be present in multiple places at the same time. 

This online seminar will discuss the impact of telepresence technologies on the perception of place and the attachment to homeland vs new home of Syrian refugees in the Netherlands. The discussion will furthermore cover the consequences of such technologies on the behaviour and social integration of the Syrian refugees in the Netherlands. 

All UNU and UM students and staff are welcome. 

Date: Friday 27 October 2023 
Time: 14:00 – 15:00 CEST 

Join via Zoom: 
https://unu-merit-eu.zoom.us/j/87843467769 
Meeting ID: 878 4346 7769 

About the speaker 

Mohammad Khalaf is a sworn translator and interpreter (Arabic – English – Arabic) experienced in teaching languages. He currently teaches Arabic at Maastricht University and was previously a researcher in the Migration and Development Research Group at UNU-MERIT. He holds an MA in Media Studies from Maastricht University FASOS, and previously worked for the United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) in Syria for over a decade. 

Read Khalaf’s personal migration story here. 

Venue: Online (Zoom) 
Date: 27 October 2023 
Time: 14:00 – 15:00  CEST