SaddleBrooke Freethinkers—Rebuilding Ukraine Means Building Homes

Jane Zavisca, PhD

Beth Mitchneck, PhD

Barbara Starrett

SaddleBrooke Freethinkers are proud to have Professors Jane Zavisca, PhD, and Beth Mitchneck, PhD, speak about “Rebuilding Ukraine Means Building Homes” on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. at the DesertView Theater, with a social time at 1:30 p.m.

The February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine has undeniably left the country’s infrastructure in ruins. Rebuilding will be a heavy lift, with about one-third of the population displaced from their homes. Dr. Zavisca and Dr. Mitchneck place these numbers into context and discuss implications of housing loss and rebuilding for Ukrainians’ wellbeing and sense of belonging.

Dr. Zavisca is Associate Professor of Sociology and Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Studies in the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences at the University of Arizona. She is an expert on housing systems in the former Soviet region, in particular, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Ukraine.

Dr. Mitchneck is Professor Emerita in the School of Geography, Development and Environment at the University of Arizona. She has long researched and published on people who are displaced by violent conflict in the former Soviet space. She recently returned from assisting with humanitarian aid delivery to Ukrainians crossing into Poland.

SaddleBrooke Freethinkers provides a forum for the responsible search for truth and meaning in understanding and solving human problems by applying science and reason. We believe that tolerance, compassion, equity, and civility should characterize interactions among people and organizations. We strive to achieve these goals through meetings, lectures, and discussions.

SaddleBrooke Freethinkers meetings are held at the DesertView Theater on Sunday afternoons, with a social starting at 1:30 p.m. The program begins at 2 p.m. For dates and subjects, go to our website www.sbfreethinkers.wordpress.com.

You can become a member of the SaddleBrooke Freethinkers for $15 per calendar year. This fee includes all lectures and other Freethinkers events, like the book club and social events. The lecture programs run January through April and October through December. Lectures are open to all SaddleBrooke residents and their guests as space is available. Nonmembers are encouraged to make a $5 donation to defray costs. Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items or cash donations for the Tri-Community Food Bank.

For questions or to be added to the email list, please send your contact information to [email protected].