Forced Migration: Global Trends and Perspectives WORLD UNIVERSITY SERVICE OF CANADA (WUSC/EUMC)
Agenda ●Global Trends ●Syrian Crisis ●Definitions ●Refugee Issues ●Refugee Resettlement in Canada ●SRP ●Awareness Raising
Global Trends in 2016
Global Trends in Forced Migration ● Forcibly Displaced persons in the world as of june 2015: over 59.5 M ● This is 8.3 M persons more than the year before and the highest annual increase in a single year ● Refugees: 14.4 M, + 5M (51% under 18)
Global Trends in 2016
Global Trends in Forced Migration
Syrian Crisis
Global Trends in Forced Migration
Definitions A «internally displaced person» refers to a person who has not crossed an international border to find sanctuary but has remained inside their home country, but who may have fled for similar reasons as refugees (armed conflict, generalized violence, human rights violations).
Definition An “asylum-seeker” is someone who says he or she is in need of international protection but whose claim has not yet been definitively evaluated.
The term “refugee” refers to a person who “owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself or the protection of that country Definitions
Definition A «stateless person» is a person who is not considered as a national by any state under the operation of its law. Even if a lot of refugees are stateless, both categories are really distinct and are under the jurisdiction of UNHCR.
Refugee issues What are the challenges refugees face? Economic: ●Few or no job opportunities within the host country ●Recognition of their experience, skills and knowledge ●Precarious jobs ●Limited/no opportunity for higher education ●Language barriers ●Lack of technological skills Social : ●Language of the host country ●Culture of the host country ●Mental health challenges (trauma & torture) ●Racism/Xenophobia ●More constraints around obtaining social services ●Gender-based discrimination
Durable solutions Durable solutions for refugees ● Local integration ● Voluntary repatriation ● Resettlement
SRP... Resettlement in Canada
Refugee Resettlement in Canada
Unique in the world WUSC is among over 70 Sponsorship agreement holders (SAH) in Canada and 10 in Quebec, but is the only organization in the world that pairs EDUCATION with refugee resettlement.
SRP The Student Refugee Program is a refugee resettlement program that enables refugee students to enter Canada as permanent residents and pursue their education at Canadian universities & colleges.
Local Committee Responsibilities ● Provide the SRP student with financial, academic, and moral support for a minimum of 12 months; ● Help the SRP student prepare for autonomy after the sponsorship period. ● Raise awareness about forced migration and refugee issues
Countries of Origin of SRP Students Afghanistan,Burma, Burundi, Bhutan, Comoros Islands, Zaire/DRC, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine*, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, (S.) Sudan, Syria, Togo, Uganda, Zaire and Zimbabwe.
SRP... Why is it important to talk about forced migration?
SRP... What is the best way to raise awareness about refugee issues and, more broadly, about forced migration?
Awareness Raising Importance of being aware of our own limitations and aiming to raise awareness responsibly Collaborating with newcomers, and with local organisations that work with newcomers Working towards myth-busting and to deconstructing misconceptions Highlighting the positive contributions of former refugees and newcomers Sharing successful stories
Awareness raising
SRP Awareness Month 1.Take the #SRPchallenge 2.Engage your campus Resources -Webinar -SRP photo exhibit -Facebook Banner
Contact Thanks! Please contact us if you have any questions!