Location: Sustainability Initiative at CMU, Hunt Library, 4909 Frew Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Exhibition: November 1st – December 6th 2024
Hosted by CMU’s Sustainability Initiative
About the Exhibition
What We Brought with Us is an exhibition developed by Academy in Exile at TU Dortmund University, one of the three universities that comprise the University Alliance Ruhr.
The exhibition presents images of objects carried by some of Academy in Exile’s fellows when they fled from their countries of origin to Germany where they were hosted by the University of Duisburg-Essen, Free University of Berlin, Forum Transregionale Studien and Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities (KWI) Essen.
About The Sustainability Studio
From November 1 to December 6, 2024, Academy in Exile’s What We Brought with Us, co-curated by Vanessa Agnew and Annika Roux, with photography by Jobst von Kunowski, is being displayed in the Sustainability Studio at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Sustainability Studio is the brick and mortar location of Carnegie Mellon University’s Sustainability Initiative, and is intended for programming and education that centers equity in support of social, economic, and environmental justice. All are welcome.
What We Brought with Us highlights the importance of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, particularly those centered on human rights, migration, and the resilience of communities. Here’s how What We Brought with Us aligns with specific goals:
- Goal 1: No Poverty
The experience of forced displacement often involves fleeing poverty or being thrust into poverty. The exhibition highlights the vulnerability of displaced people who must make difficult choices about what to take with them, symbolizing the broader economic and social challenges they face. - Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
By focusing on the experiences of the forcibly displaced, the exhibition shines a light on the inequalities faced by those who leave their homes due to conflict and persecution in authoritarian countries. It brings awareness to the systemic inequalities, including access to resources, rights, and opportunities, that create barriers for displaced individuals. - Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
This goal emphasizes inclusive, safe, and resilient human settlements. The exhibition prompts reflection on how refugee and migrant populations integrate into new communities, often with very few possessions but bringing with them skills, cultural heritage, and hope. Their resilience in starting over highlights the importance of inclusive urban and rural planning. - Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Several of the root causes of displacement—persecution, war, and conflict—are central to this goal, which focuses on promoting peaceful, inclusive societies. The exhibition urges reflection on the human toll of authoritarianism and the importance of strong, just institutions to protect people from such tragedies.
In a broader sense, the exhibition encourages solidarity and global citizenship, which are core values of the Global Goals.
More information here.