Discussion Guide for "Refugee Children" Video

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

  • 8/8/2019 Discussion Guide for "Refugee Children" Video

    1/7

    P AG E 1 O F 7

    After viewing Refugee Children of a Shattered East, use this guide to research the issues

    surrounding refugees and displaced persons, reecton how the video impacted you, recallwhat

    you learned, respondin tangible ways, reach outwith life-changing help, resolve to follow

    Gods Word, and rely on His goodness and power.

    Research The1951RefugeeConvenTion, which established the United Nations

    Refugee Agency, denes a refugee as someone 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 to, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that

    country. Source: UNHCR, Refugees: Flowing Across Borders

    unlikeRefugees,iDPs [internally displaced people] have not crossed aninternational border to nd sanctuary but have remained inside their home countries.

    Even if they have ed for similar reasons as refugees (armed conict, generalized

    violence, human rights violations), IDPs legally remain under the protection of their

    own government even though that government might be the cause of their ight.

    As citizens, they retain all of their rights and protection under both human rights and

    international humanitarian law.

    Source: UNHCR, Internally Displaced People: On the Run in Their Own Land

    Refugee Childrenof a Shattered East.

    Discussion Guide for

  • 8/8/2019 Discussion Guide for "Refugee Children" Video

    2/7

    P AG E 2 O F 7

    ThenumbeRofRefugeesofConCeRn to UNHCR stood at 10.5 millionrefugees at the beginning of 2009, down 8 percent from a year earlier. [Refugees]

    live in widely varying conditions, from well-established camps and collective centres tomakeshift shelters or living in the open. Most are in rural settings, but the number of

    urban refugees is growing. They all face three possible solutions: repatriation [returning

    home]; local integration [into the community that has hosted them as refugees] or

    resettlement [to a third country, such as the United States, due to unsafe conditions at

    home and in their host country]. Source: UNHCR, Refugee Figures

    eighTyPeRCenTofRefugees are women and children.Source: UNHCR, Refugee Figures

    eviDenCeinDiCaTesThaTRefugeeanDiDPCamPs are often recruitinggrounds for child soldiers because of the convenient concentrations of children who

    have limited protection in these zones and often very few chances to go to school.

    neaRlyTwo-ThiRDsofThewoRlDsRefugees are in the Middle Eastand Africa. Although refugee ows are widespread, a handful of countries are the

    primary source. Half of all refugees come from three sources: Palestine, Afghanistan,

    and Iraq. Also on the list of the 10 leading sources of refugees are Sierra Leone,

    Somalia, Sudan, Yugoslavia, Angola, Croatia, and Eritrea.

    Source: UNHCR, Refugee Figures

    CounTRieswhohavesigneD the 1951 Refugee Convention are obligated toadhere to the principle of non-refoulment, which means that no country may deport

    or expel a person to a country where that person faces persecution, or risk of serious

    human rights violations. Source: Amnesty International Canada, Who Is a Refugee?

    ofThe10.5millionRefugees of concern to UNHCR around the world,only about 1 percent are referred by the agency for resettlement.

    Source: UNHCR, Resettlement

    iDeally,RefugeesshoulDbeableToReTuRn home safely and withdignity. However, returning home comes with many challenges, such as rebuilding

    homes and livelihoods, reconciling with those who stayed behind, overcoming

    difculties such as landmines and land ownership disputes, and living with the trauma

    of conict and loss.

  • 8/8/2019 Discussion Guide for "Refugee Children" Video

    3/7

    P AG E 3 O F 7

    ReecthowDoyouReaCT, and respond, when you hear about crises that have forced

    thousands of people to leave their homes? Consider these statistics:

    IRA: 5 years of war, over 2 million refugees

    AFGHANISTAN:30 years of turmoil, 3.25 million refugees

    ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT: 60 years, 4.5 million refugees

    Do you think people respond differently to current crises than to ongoing ones? If so,

    what effect might our attitude toward conict have on its resolution and the people it

    has displaced?

    whaTDoChilDRenneeDinoRDeR to live healthy lives, physically, mentally, andspiritually? How do violence, war, and fear of persecution affect their opportunity to live

    healthy lives?

    foRRefugees,anDmanyinTeRnally displaced people, eeing to a place of

    refuge can mean living in crowded camps, not knowing the local language, having little to

    no resources, and being separated from their families. What would be your rst step in this

    situation? Who would you turn to?

    RecallwhaTaReThelivingConDiTions where Fawaz and his family now live

    in Jordan?

    nine-yeaR-olDfawazwaskiDnaPPeD for a $10,000 ransom, held in a solitary

    room for three weeks, and tormented by his captors. What was the interviewers impression

    of this young boy as he told his personal story? What changes had Fawazs family noticed in

    his behavior since the incident? How did Fawaz talk about his future and about returning to

    Iraq?

    aCCoRDingToTheviDeo, what do refugee and internally displaced children like

    Fawaz need most in order to begin recovering from the tragedy and personal horror they have

    experienced?

  • 8/8/2019 Discussion Guide for "Refugee Children" Video

    4/7

    P AG E 4 O F 7

    wiThRegaRDToTheCRises in this region, what grabs attention in the global news

    headlines? Do we hear about these children and their families? What impact does a media

    focus have on childrens futures?

    Respond DeCReasingbuDgeTsfoRaiD combined with negative public opinion about

    immigration issues mean the number of refugees resettled in developed countries does

    not keep pace with the demand. Why do you think this is? What are some of the pro

    and con arguments you have heard? What can and should be done to change this

    situation?

    oRganizaTionsThaThelPRefugees resettle in the United States and

    other countries rely on volunteer assistance. Consider contacting organizations such

    as the International Rescue Committee (www.theirc.org) to nd ways you can offer

    invaluable assistance and friendship. Discuss as a group how you can reach out to the

    refugee community in your area.

    Reach OutConsider making a difference in the following ways:

    PaRTiCiPaTeinwoRlDRefugeeDay (June 20). Visitwww.worldvisionresources.com and search for World Refugee Day for information.

    beComeeDuCaTeDabouTRefugees and internally displaced people. To getstarted, visit www.worldvision.org and www.unhcr.org (the United Nations Refugee

    Agency). UNHCR has a wealth of information about refugee and IDP policy, history,

    and current crises around the world.

    aDvoCaTeonbehalfofRefugees and internally displaced people. Visitwww.worldvisionresources.com and click on programs and events.

    sPonsoRaChilDThRoughwoRlDvision for just about $1 a day.Youll provide him or her with access to critical basics, such as clean water, improved

    nutrition, healthcare, and education. Your gifts can make a world of difference for one

    child and his or her family and community. For sponsorship information, visit

    www.worldvisionresources.com.

  • 8/8/2019 Discussion Guide for "Refugee Children" Video

    5/7

    P AG E 5 O F 7

    Resolve

    foRTheloRDisagoDofjusTiCe. Isaiah 30:18 TheloRDwaTChesoveRThealien [foreigner] and sustains the fatherless

    and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. Psalm 146:9

    blesseDaReThePooRinsPiRiT, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for

    they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

    for they will be lled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed

    are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will

    be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3-10

    finally,besTRonginTheloRD and in his mighty power. Put on the fullarmor of God so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. For our

    struggle is not against esh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,

    against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the

    heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:10-12

    hewillwiPeeveRyTeaRfRomTheiReyes. There will be no moredeath or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

    Revelation 21:4

    RelyPray that:

    ThePlighTofRefugeeand internally displaced children and their families willbe raised up and that the international community, governments, policymakers, and

    individuals like us will respond.

    PeaCewillComeToRegions devastated by conict, war, famine, and

    disease. Pray for reconciliation between groups who have been in conict for

    generations.

    RefugeesanDinTeRnallyDisPlaCeDPeoPle currently living incamps, slums, or other areas will receive what they need physically, emotionally, and

    spiritually. Pray that those resettling in new countries will encounter people willing and

    able to help meet their needs as they adjust to a new place and life.

  • 8/8/2019 Discussion Guide for "Refugee Children" Video

    6/7

    P AG E 6 O F 7

    The Scripture in this resource is from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL

    VERSION. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by

    permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

    During the preparation of this resource, all citations, facts, gures, Internet URLs, and other

    cited information were veried for accuracy. World Vision Resources has made every attempt to

    reference current and valid sources, but we cannot guarantee the content of any source and we

    are not responsible for any changes that may have occurred since our verication. If you nd an

    error in, or have a question or concern about, any of the information or sources listed within,

    please contact World Vision Resources.

    Copyright 2010 World Vision, Inc., Mail Stop 321, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063-

    9716, [email protected]. All rights reserved.

  • 8/8/2019 Discussion Guide for "Refugee Children" Video

    7/7

    P AG E 7 O F 7

    About World Vision

    woRlDvision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicatedto working with children, families, and their communities worldwide

    to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and

    injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves

    alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of Gods

    unconditional love for all people.

    We envision a world where each child experiences fullness of life

    as described in John 10:10. We know this can be achieved only by

    addressing the problems of poverty and injustice in a holistic way.

    World Vision is unique in bringing 60 years of experience in three key

    areas to help children and families thrive: emergency relief, long-term

    development, and advocacy. We bring our skills across many areas ofexpertise to each community where we work, enabling us to support

    childrens physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

    About World Vision ResourcesenDingglobalPoveRTy and injustice begins with education:

    understanding the magnitude and causes of poverty, its impact on

    human dignity, and our connection to those in need around the world.

    World Vision Resources is the publishing ministry of World Vision.World Vision Resources educates Christians about global poverty,

    inspires them to respond, and equips them with innovative resources

    to make a difference in the world.

    r more information about our

    resources, contact:

    World Vision Resources

    Mail Stop 321

    P.O. Box 9716

    Federal Way, WA 98063-9716

    Fax: 253-815-3340

    [email protected]