Struggles and Solutions
Asynchronous Session
The Struggle for Prevalence: COVID-19 vs. Global Civilization View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Alvin Joseph
It is a stunning fact that a microscopic entity called coronavirus has brought the entire world to a standstill during the pandemic days. Many have lost their lives during the pandemic period. This study analyzes the pandemic scenario where one can find that this attack was not just an attack on the physical health and existence of the human race (irrespective of race, color, or nationality) but also an onslaught on civilization itself. This global civilization has been painstakingly erected over centuries of toil like overseas voyages, religious expeditions, business contacts, trade relations, political ambitions and interests, etc. Just look at the worst affected countries like the United States, Italy, Spain, France, Britain, China, Iran, Germany, Netherlands, etc. These countries are usually the spots for global transactions and mobility, be it in trade, business, industry, or tourism. Countries that are relatively untouched by high-profile global contacts and hence in the outskirts or peripheries of global civilization are more or less immune to this disease. These are countries which have the least number of visitors and have less population. Some of these countries are Comoros, Kiribati, Lesotho, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, etc. It must be noted that most of these are island nations that do not share borders with other nations. All the attributes of modern life like shopping malls, restaurants, cinemas, opera, sports events, festivals, and leisure trips were put on hold, but still, this world moved on, reliant on the bare essentials
Confronting Humanitarian Challenges: The Medical Professional's Responsibility View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Pamela Mc Pherson
An increase in humanitarian challenges has resulted in an increased demand for mental health resources. Social psychiatrists face a clinical and moral imperative to study and treat mental disorders precipitated or impacted by sociocultural events. Immigration detention is but one example of a setting that can take a toll on the mental health of those detained. Psychiatrists working in detention settings do not have immunity from feeling overwhelmed and may suffer the effects of moral distress. Many question how to take action beyond direct clinical care. Here we present a case study on physician action to address the humanitarian crisis of family separation and family detention of immigrants at the US. Southern border. Subject matter and advisory committee experts for the US Department of Homeland Security were recruited to identify concerns and provide recommendations in this guide for action.
The Immigration Debate in Ireland: Political Protests over Immigration, the Border with Northern Ireland and Relations with the UK, and the Future of the EU’s Common Asylum Pact View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Daniel Sweeney
The immigration debate in Ireland, including peaceful as well as violent protest actions, has highlighted the divide between the political elite and the voters on this issue. Ireland’s long relationship with the UK, the legacy of the Common Travel Area between the two counties, and the UK’s withdrawal from the EU have greatly complicated the current situation and debate. The border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is the only land border for both Ireland and the UK. Both countries and the EU have worked together to prevent checkpoints on the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland related to custom checks on goods because of Britain’s departure from the EU’s internal market. The Common Travel Area, which allows Irish and British citizens to cross this border and to fly between both countries without showing passports or travel documents, has also made it easier for asylum seekers to move between both countries. This has led to increased cooperation to solve these issues, without drawing attention to the land border which could pose a threat to the Good Friday Agreement. The current situation, however, has also caused political tensions within Ireland regarding immigration and asylum requests. This paper focuses on the need for the leadership of Ireland’s political parties and the Government to tackle these issues against the backdrop of debates and political tremors across the EU on the immigration issue.
