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Refugees in the Curriculum

 





10 good reasons to teach about refugees:

  1. To raise the profile of refugees and asylum seekers:
    1. raise their self-esteem
    2. highlight the positives for others
  2. To provide accurate information about refugees:
    1. to counter prevalent misinformation which is the basis of stereotypes, hostility, bullying and racism
  3. To provide an accurate picture of our society and the world:
    1. we have a long history as a multicultural society
    2. we have a proud history of welcoming refugees
    3. we live in an interdependent world






  1. This provides a firm basis to support community cohesion ...
  2. Which provides a firm basis for successful integration
  3. It can help to 'normalise' the experience of refugee children
  4. It can help to develop empathy in the receiving children, leading to a more whole-hearted welcome
  5. We can all learn about different cultures and experiences, having access to a rich resource in the heart of our communities
  6. It can help to understand and celebrate differences within and between cultures and people
  7. Many of the activities are interesting and engaging for students and teachers alike.





Key concepts:

  1. People move and have always done so. They move for a variety of reasons, some voluntary, others not
  2. Refugees leave their country and everything they know because their lives are in danger
  3. That we share a common humanity, we have much in common, and are all of equal value
  4. All cultures have something of value – we can all learn from each other. There is no hierarchy of cultures
  5. That we are all entitled to basic human rights
  6. Understanding the role of stereotyping in prejudice, bullying and racism
  7. The development of empathy



Some Approaches:

  1. Raising the issues and developing empathy through the use of fiction:
    e.g. The Lion King, Elmer and the Hippos, Carly, A Balloon for Grandad for younger children; The Colour of Home, Petar's Song, the Breadwinner, Hana's Suitcase, The Other Side of Truth for older children
    Find out more »
  2. Providing accurate information and developing empathy through the use of testimony:
    e.g. famous refugees, stories in books such as Kosovan Journeys, refugee visitors, and providing the space for refugee children to talk about their own experiences if they choose to do so. See also www.refugeeweek.org.uk/InfoCentre/PositiveImages/ and www.unhcr.org/promref/index.html for examples of positive stories of refugees
  3. Providing accurate information and the bigger picture by studying the history and cultures of representative countries:
    e.g. Somalia, Tibet and Iraq
  4. Investigating Human Rights:
    e.g. examining the links between wants, needs, rights and responsibilities in their own lives, looking at the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, discussion of the treatment of 'others' at home and abroad.
    Find out more »
  5. Challenging prejudice and developing empathy:
    e.g. Find someone who..., Persona Dolls, Circle Time
    Find out more »
  6. Making links in other curriculum areas:
    e.g. History (units 6, 9, 13, 17 and 20), Citizenship (units 1, 2, 5, 7 and 11), Geography (units 1, 18 and 24), PHSE and Literacy (e.g. Voices from Sudan)
  7. For a wealth of ideas for relevant activities see also:
    www.refugeeweek.org.uk/YouthEducation/global.htm; www.unhcr.org/help/4072c8174.html and www.salusburyworld.org.uk/resources.php