Bennington

During World War II, Bennington College provided an academic home for refugee scholars from Europe, including Karl Polanyi, Peter Drucker, and Erich Fromm. Today, our work with the Consortium on Forced Migration, Displacement, and Education continues this tradition of connecting the study of liberal arts to the most politically and ethically urgent matters of our time. The Consortium provides support for two of Bennington’s most innovative programs: Bennington Translates and GANAS. Bennington Translates is a multi-lingual, multi-disciplinary translation and interpretation initiative which spans literary, humanitarian, medical, and legal translation and interpretation, and has a special focus on those who work in conflict zones. Developed and led by literature faculty member Marguerite Feitlowitz, the program teaches Bennington students to be translators and interpreters; one of its goals to help refugees in different locations around the world where translation is needed. GANAS, a Spanish term for “motivation to act,” was born out of student response to the needs of migrant workers in Bennington County. GANAS brings together students, migrant workers, and organizations focused on promoting healthcare, human rights, and education for the undocumented workforce supporting Vermont’s dairy industry. These two programs work to expand our study of migration and displacement beyond the classroom, to connect and engage with migrant and refugee communities, and to project the work of Bennington College beyond our campus, community, and national borders.