The EU Migrant Crisis Or is it a Refugee Crisis?

Migrants or refugees?

Migrants usually have choices, refugees don’t no one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark... you have to understand, that no one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land Extract from Home by Warsan Shire

The Humanitarian Crisis in Europe

SYRIAN DISPLACEMENT About 11.6 million Syrians have been displaced, nearly half of Syria’s entire population. Most of them are scattered within Syria, but 3.9 million were living abroad by the end of 2014 – nearly all of them in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.

Despite the drama of migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe, most Africans displaced by conflict stay in Africa.

Background to the humanitarian crisis in Europe summer of 2015 Mare Nostrum – search and rescue disbanded in Jan 15 – policy failed Highest flow of refugees since the second world war (half a million) Arab Spring – 2011 and backlash – Yemen, Egypt, Libya Syria – one fifth of current refugees Repressive regime in Eritrea, ongoing genocide in Darfur, sectarian regime and ISIS in Iraq, return of Taliban in Afghanistan, Boko Haram in Nigeria UNHCR Refugee camps – ill prepared, undersupplied - loss of hope Greek islands (recession akin to Great Depression)

A world crisis of historic proportions Source: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees million forcibly displaced people due to conflict 14 million newly displaced in million stateless people 1.7 million claimed asylum 26 countries admitted 105,200 refugees for resettlement At the end of 2014, almost 55 million people depended on the protection and assistance of UNHCR and partners.

Iconic photo that caught our attention

Where do they go? Definitions Destinations and Processes

WHAT IS A REFUGEE? A person whose asylum claim was successful, because they have “a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion” if they go home (They have been legally allowed to stay in the country…) WHAT IS AN ASYLUM-SEEKER? A person who has fled persecution in their country and has made a claim to seek international protection (asylum) somewhere else (N.B. claiming asylum is a human right.)

Other definitions: Economic Migrant A person who chooses to leave their country to find a better paid job. (e.g. people from EU countries coming to work in England) Illegal Immigrant Someone who goes to live or work in another country when they do not have the legal right to do this. Refused Asylum Seeker A person who hasn’t been able to prove that they would face persecution back home and has had their application turned down… N.B. There is no such thing as an “illegal asylum-seeker”

UK Asylum journey involves Families living at 50% below the poverty line Insufficient benefits to maintain contact with solicitor Shared, no choice accommodation, in hard to let properties managed by external contractors Periods of destitution between refusal and appeal and on gaining refugee status or refusal with no chance of returning to country of origin Detention at any time – indefinite, no judicial oversight Possible deportation after many years building a family life

What can you do in your school? Learn about what it means to be seeking sanctuary Provide training for school staff so they understand key terms and definitions l and have the skills to challenge prejudice and stereotypes if they emerge l Review and develop the equality and diversity elements of the PSHE education l curriculum with a focus on refugees Plan assemblies that raise awareness of the experiences of refugees, what l sanctuary means Mark Refugee Week Share your vision and achievements – be proud!

What can you do in your school? Take positive action to embed concepts of welcome, safety and inclusion within your school... Create a welcoming environment in school for pupils (and parents, carers) from different cultures Carry out an Equality & Diversity Learning Walks in partnership with EMAS l or the Standards and Achievement Team l and members of the school and wider community Use the Guide to Engaging with parents and carers of BME pupils l to plan and develop projects that engage with a range of parents and carers Read and appropriately disseminate the Faith and Belief in Educational Settings Guide Hold focus groups or similar with pupils and parents to ask them what would make school l a more welcoming and safer place

What can you do in your school? Take positive action to embed concepts of welcome, safety and inclusion within your school... Incorporate the concepts of welcome, safety, inclusion and belonging into curricular and extra-curricular activities Review and develop school values and identify practical ways to embed these and make them visible across the school day) l Visits e.g. places of worship l Ensure all incidents of bullying and prejudice are recorded and are analysed l and monitored to inform practice

What can you do in your school? Involve refugees and asylum seekers in the day to day life of the school... Refugee speakers or film / audio of speakers Use expertise in EMAS to support review and developments

Share your vision and achievements in school and wider l School websites and newsletters l Local celebration events l PSHE and Head teacher meetings l Social media l Achieve and display Sanctuary on Sea Certificate

Core Principles of City of Sanctuary Mainstream, grassroots movement – all sectors involved Building bridges between ‘local people’ and refugees Strengthening and broadening the support base for asylum seekers and refugees Helping create a culture of hospitality and welcome Celebrating the contribution of refugees to society Creating and enhancing networks between key players.

Remember the person behind the figures