Migration and Refugees Lesson Plans According to the 2015 International Migration Report from the United Nations, “The number of international migrants worldwide has continued to grow rapidly over the past fifteen years reaching 244 million in 2015, up from 222 million in 2010 and 173 million in 2000.” Forced migration patterns, and the many factors that cause them, are at the heart of many of the world’s 21st century challenges. The following lesson plans present entry points to a diversity of stories reflecting the human impact of migration. Some lessons were written by members of our education team, and others were written and shared by our community of educators. Sign up for the Pulitzer Center education newsletter to begin receiving weekly lesson plans connected to the latest international reporting from our grantees. Afghanistan by Choice The Journey North: Exploring Reasons Behind Migration to the U.S. Libya After Liberation The Nanny’s Child Native Communities in the Amazon: Presenting Contradicting Arguments
Refugee settlement: repatriation - local integration - resettlement The UNHCR and international community work together creating durable solutions so that refugees and internally displaced persons can live with safety and dignity. There are three main options for refugees that the international community is able to assist with: “Protection needs do not disappear when people repatriate. On the contrary, they tend to resurface in more complex forms in the country of origin.” Statement by the High Commissioner, UNHCR Most refugees desperately want to go home, and will do so voluntarily as soon as it is safe. In 2012 approximately 532,000 refugee people were repatriated globally, according to UNHCR country statistics. The UNHCR and other international agencies take responsibility for assisting refugee people with the process of return, and for helping them to rebuild their lives in their homelands. Voluntary repatriation is the return of refugees to their home country, of their own free will, once conditions have become safe. Resettlement
What a Syrian accountant can teach us about the refugee crisis In 2017, we woke up to new realities every day as a result of geopolitical change, shifting demographics and disrupted business environments. While technological innovation created new opportunities and helped stimulate the global economy, other factors set us back – including imposed travel bans, a widening gender gap and pervasive income inequality. As global leaders descend on Davos for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, it’s more important than ever for the public and private sector to reflect on the past year and work together to solve societal problems going forward, including one of the most pervasive humanitarian challenges of our time: the global refugee crisis. Impacting more than 65 million people worldwide, the refugee crisis remains a global issue requiring a global solution. Treat refugees as individuals I’ll share one example that recently moved me. Image: REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch Moving beyond fear and misconceptions Former U.S. Image: REUTERS/Joshua Roberts Share
Startts - Hints for Healing In our last edition, we explored the concept of resilience among refugee children and adolescents. In that issue we looked at strategies that are protective but which focused largely at the individual or non-collective level. This time, I thought it would be helpful to consider resilience from the point of view of the two most influential social systems for young people: home and school. How can we help to strengthen the healing potential of the family and of the school communities? In keeping with this theme, our case study this month is about a group intervention, showing how this way of working can offer an important emotional resource in the recovery process. Supporting communities to buffer the pain and loss caused by refugee trauma is not easy. Capoeria Angola Groups. More on Capoeira... FastForWord PROGRAM. This exciting and promising program, called FastForWord, will enable students who are having difficulty with language to have access to a scientifically-based intervention.
A Mother Working Abroad Reunites with Her Son Blanca is calling her son Guido. He’s 12-years-old. Blanca doesn’t live across town from Guido, or even in a different state. Ten years ago, Blanca came to the US, to make money to send back home. But now, after a decade apart, Guido’s coming to America to reunite with his mother. I met her many times, but the first I saw her nervous was the day before her son’s arrival. Blanca isn’t even sure how tall Guido is now. She doesn’t know where he’ll go to school in New York or how they’ll get by. Guido Arrives I head out with Blanca to meet Guido at the airport. When we get to JFK airport, Blanca tells me about her long wait for Guido’s return and why she decided to bring him here. The flight’s delayed. She wonders what Guido will think of snow in New York? “I feel nervous,” she exhales. Finally, she sees him. Blanca tells Guido to put on the jacket she’s brought, but he doesn’t want to put it on. The jacket is too small. The next day will be a new beginning in America but not an easy one.
Download Human rights in the school classroom Tackling racism in Australia is a unit of work that encourages students to think about diversity, particularly in relation to people, groups and their cultures, to affirm and celebrate difference and to use their understanding of diversity to act with respect, empathy and trust. In this unit, students explore the impact of discrimination and harassment on individuals, their family and friends and the wider community. Students learn to identify racial discrimination, racial harassment and racial vilification as unlawful acts, which undermine safe, respectful environments for all. Building on learning activities in the unit, students develop strategies and actions for celebrating diversity and taking action against racism.
Teaching about the Syrian Refugee Crisis: Free Lesson Plans and Videos After hearing about Syrian refugees on the news, my kids have been asking me more detailed questions. Why is there a war in Syria? Why are refugees leaving their country? What can we do to help? I put together this list of resources for teachers and parents who are interested in teaching about the Syrian refugee crisis, but don’t know where to start. Please add in any recommendations to the comments below! On a very basic level, that can be adapted depending on the kids’ ages, I tell kids that Syria is having a civil war. In 2011, some people were peacefully protesting their government, and soon the government punished them in a violent crackdown. The war in Syria has been going on for over 6 years, and at least 470,000 people have been killed. Kids often want a concrete way of helping others in need. There are many agencies working on the ground in Syria to help provide food, water, shelter, and medical support to Syrians. The large well-known organizations include: Oxfam. I am Syria.
Human rights in the school classroom Tackling racism in Australia is a unit of work that encourages students to think about diversity, particularly in relation to people, groups and their cultures, to affirm and celebrate difference and to use their understanding of diversity to act with respect, empathy and trust. In this unit, students explore the impact of discrimination and harassment on individuals, their family and friends and the wider community. Students learn to identify racial discrimination, racial harassment and racial vilification as unlawful acts, which undermine safe, respectful environments for all. Building on learning activities in the unit, students develop strategies and actions for celebrating diversity and taking action against racism. Download resource
8 educational resources to better understand the refugee crisis The world refugee crisis has led civil society to mobilise, and initiatives calling for greater support to refugees have multiplied across countries. But at the same time, there have been increasing demands, especially from schools on how to work on this issue, asking how to discuss it with young people, or with students. Based on the recommendations of our global human rights education network, we have compiled a list of educational resources that explain the rights of refugees. Teachers, educators, facilitators or anyone that wishes to learn more about refugees can use these materials produced by Amnesty International and other organisations. Seeking Safety and Time to Flee By drawing parallels between the lives of primary school children and those of refugees, the two resources aim to create a feeling of global interconnectedness among pupils. Teachers and educators can also use the primary and secondary school packs containing a lesson plan on refugees. - From Amnesty International UK
Refugee Resettlement Refugees are people who have fled their countries of origin to escape persecution. In fiscal year 2013, the U.S. government admitted 69,926 refugees to the country. LIRS was privileged to welcome over 9,700 of those refugees, working with them to establish new lives in American communities. Over the last three decades, refugee populations arriving to the United States have changed significantly. Is chronically underfunded. The Office of Refugee Resettlement The Office of Refugee Resettlement falls under the Administration for Children and Families operating division of the Department of Health and Human Services. LIRS’s Position LIRS advocates for a flexible resettlement program and robust funding that meet the needs of all vulnerable migrants eligible for service. Legislation The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (S. 744) passed the Senate in June, 2013. LIRS Resources How You Can Help
How to teach ... about refugees | Teacher Network The number of people forced to flee their homes has now exceeded 50 million for the first time since the second world war. The issue is firmly in the international spotlight at the moment. In Europe, thousands of refugees from countries including Eritrea and Somalia put themselves in danger every day by attempting to cross the Mediterranean in over-crowded boats, while in Asia the plight of the Rohingya people, for example, has been widely covered. Refugee Week, which starts on Monday 15 June, celebrates the contribution refugees make to the UK. This week’s how to teach includes lots of ideas and resources to help you explain the current refugee crisis to your class. Primary ideas Discover what primary children know and think about refugees with this resource from the British Red Cross. As a follow-up activity, ask students to draw two pictures: one under the title “Leaving danger” and another entitled “Finding refuge”. Secondary ideas Ideas for all ages Since you’re here …
Integration phase | European Resettlement Network Click here to download the factsheet in English. Click here to download the factsheet in Spanish. Click here to download the factsheet in German. Click here to download the factsheet in Polish. Integration refers to the process of refugees settling into a new community, country and society. Ideas about what it means to be ‘integrated’ and how integration should be measured vary from country to country, and amongst organisations and individuals within different countries. Some refugee resettlement programmes include specific integration support for resettled refugees, while others mainstream support for resettled refugees into integration programmes provided for other migrant groups. Although integration programme activities differ widely from country to country, both specialist and mainstream programmes generally provide support for resettled refugees in the practical aspects of integration. Pictures: Courtesy of Horton Housing UK; Save Me Aachen.
Refugee crisis school resource Learning about the refugee crises’ impact on children and their rights We are in the midst of a refugee and migrant crisis in Europe. Children are affected directly and indirectly. This resource seeks to help you explore this important and complex subject with children and young people within a children’s rights framework. If you school is involved in the Rights Respecting Schools Award you will find this resource particularly useful. Mark World Refugee Day at your school World Refugee Day is observed each year on 20 June. Your feedback on the resource This pack was developed with the help of a number of Rights Respecting Schools (thank you!) Campaign with us Add your voice to Unicef UK’s campaign to help reunite families, calling on the UK Government to speed up the process for reuniting unaccompanied children in Europe with their families in the UK, and widen immigration laws to allow children to be with extended family members who can care for them.