Hesburgh Library, Room 246

<em>“Stories matter. Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign, but stories can also be used to empower and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity.”—Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie</em><br>In the heart of Texas, where its vast southern expanse meets the rugged terrain of Mexico, lies a border in El Paso, Texas, and Cd. Juarez, Mexico, that has long served as a focal point of human migration, hope, and hardship. It’s a region where countless stories unfold daily—stories of human courage, desperation, and resilience. Yet, for those who have never walked its dusty paths or felt the weight of uncertainty that hangs heavy in the air, the reality of life along the U.S.-Mexico border remains distant and abstract.<br>The stories of Latin American and Mexican migrants are frequently overshadowed by political rhetoric, resulting in a one-dimensional portrayal that lacks the depth and humanity of the migrant experience. This often leads to a misunderstanding of their challenges and contributions to society. There is a critical need for innovative methods that can communicate these experiences authentically and compellingly to a broader audience.<br><strong>Facilitated by:</strong> Steven Varela, Director, OIT Teaching and Learning Technologies; Arlene Montevecchio, Associate Director, Klau Institute for Civil and Human Rights<strong>Format:</strong> 1-hour Presentation/Discussion<strong>Audience: </strong>Administrators, faculty, staff, students<br><strong>Session Objectives: </strong>The Virtual Borders project leverages the power of XR to serve as an inclusive technology that can transform perceptions and foster deeper understandings of the complex experiences faced by Latin American and Mexican migrants as well as border culture. Through this discussion, we aim to educate, engage, create empathy, and inspire diverse audiences, making a substantial impact on public discourse around migration and diversity, equity, and inclusion by:<br><br>Critically assessing media and public discourse on migration, distinguishing between factual information and misinformation<br>Recognizing the role of dignity by analyzing migration stories and reflecting on human dignity in the context of global migration issues.<br><br><em>Part of the <a href="/workshops-and-events/walk-the-walk-week/#top">Tech for Good series</a> being presented during <a href="https://walkthewalk.nd.edu/">Walk the Walk Week</a> by Teaching and Learning Technologies (Office of Information Technology), the Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship (Hesburgh Libraries), Notre Dame Learning, and the Klau Institute for Civil and Human Rights</em><br><em><br></em><br><a href="https://learning.nd.edu/workshops-and-events/2025/01/28/the-virtual-borders-project-what-do-we-owe-each-other/">https://learning.nd.edu/workshops-and-events/2025/01/28/the-virtual-borders-project-what-do-we-owe-each-other/</a><em></em>