More than 60 million of the world’s 7 billion people have been forced to leave their homes because of war, persecution, or natural disasters, and nearly a third of them are seeking asylum in another country. Better than half of those refugees are children and teenagers.
 
It’s not a new phenomenon. Author Mary Beth Leatherdale lends context to today’s heart-rending stream of refugees from Syria and other troubled countries in a discussion of her book Stormy Seas. Written for young adults – though Leatherdale’s presentation is geared to adults – it profiles five adolescents who fled their homelands between 1939 and 2006, setting sail to escape violence and oppressive regimes.
 
The event marks Welcoming Week (September 15-24), honoring the contributions of immigrants and refugees nationwide and highlighting efforts to build more welcoming communities.