Issa Nyaphaga is an exiled Cmaeroonian activist and artist living in France, where he engages in innovative social work projects with a wide variety of at-risk groups, including child soldiers from Africa.
Issa Nyaphaga founded the Hope international for Tikar People (HITIP) and because of his devotion to refugee and immigrant issues, Mr. Nyaphaga was invited to speak before the French National Assembly on the 50th anniversary of the Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees for the U.N. High Commission on Refugees in 2001. Mr. Nyaphaga also co-founded the organization JAFE (African Journalists in Exile), which defends and protects journalists in danger. Mr. Nyaphaga currently divides his time between France and the United States, where he shares his work and advice with students and young artists. Mr. Nyaphaga also has been working on the development of a philosophical concept called “Urban Way,” in which he paints his body and stages live performances that include live music. It is an act of protest against not being able to return home freely. Mr. Nyaphaga has collaborated with organizations, schools, and institutions around the globe and has more than 10 years of teaching experience. He speaks seven languages and holds an MFA in French Literature.
This event is FREE and open to the public.
FMI Contact: Eve Bratman – bratman [at] american [dot] edu
Presented by the School of International Service and co-sponsored by the Center for Media & Social Impact