In his capacity as a board member of MSF / Doctors Without Borders USA, Nabil Al-Tikriti co-organized and moderated a June 7 workshop on migrant populations preceding the MSF USA 2012 General Assembly in New York City. Panelists included Dr. Alison Mountz of Wilfred Laurier University, Dr. Apostolos Veizis of MSF Greece, and Ivan Gayton of MSF Nigeria. The workshop description was as follows: “In this workshop, participants will explore the peculiar challenges faced when trying to gain access to migrant populations. Is it possible to adequately serve a population which often intentionally avoids detection, resides primarily in urban contexts, constantly moves or aspires to move, displays inordinate ethnic and linguistic diversity, and exists in a legal limbo vis-a-vis the legal authorities under which MSF operates? What level of legal risk should MSF international staff be prepared to accept vis-a-vis Frontex, Homeland Security, and other actors legally tasked with controlling, limiting, channeling, and preventing migration?”
