Global Issues & Challenges · Term 3

Migration & Refugees

Investigate the causes of forced migration, the humanitarian responses to global displacement, and international refugee policies.

About This Topic

This topic investigates the causes and humanitarian responses to global displacement, focusing on the experiences of refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and economic migrants. Students analyze the 'push and pull' factors that drive migration, including conflict, climate change, and economic opportunity. The curriculum explores the international legal framework for protecting refugees, including the 1951 Refugee Convention.

Grade 12 students analyze Canada's refugee policy and its reputation as a welcoming nation in comparison to other countries. They investigate the challenges of integration and the rise of anti-immigrant sentiment in some regions. This topic comes alive when students can participate in a 'Migration Simulation,' where they must navigate the difficult choices and legal hurdles faced by people seeking safety and a better life in a new country.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the primary push and pull factors contributing to forced migration and global displacement.
• Evaluate the ethical considerations and practical challenges of international humanitarian responses to refugee crises.
• Compare and contrast Canada's current refugee policies and resettlement programs with those of at least two other developed nations.
• Synthesize information to propose potential improvements to international refugee protection frameworks.
• Explain the role of international organizations, such as the UNHCR, in addressing global displacement.

Before You Start

Human Rights and Social Justice

Why: Understanding fundamental human rights provides a necessary foundation for analyzing the ethical dimensions of refugee protection and displacement.

Global Political Systems and International Relations

Why: Knowledge of how countries interact and the roles of international bodies is essential for comprehending refugee policies and global responses.

Key Vocabulary

Forced Migration	The movement of people who are compelled to leave their homes or regions in which they live, due to factors such as natural disaster, war, or persecution.
Refugee	A person who has been forced to leave their country or home, especially because of war or political reasons or because they fear persecution.
Internally Displaced Person (IDP)	Someone who is forced to flee their home but remains within their country's borders, often due to conflict or disaster.
Asylum Seeker	A person who has left their country of origin and is seeking protection in another country, but whose claim to refugee status has not yet been determined.
1951 Refugee Convention	A key international treaty that defines who is a refugee, outlines their rights, and sets legal obligations for the contracting states to protect them.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: The Refugee Journey

Students are given a profile of a person fleeing a conflict. They must make a series of choices (e.g., which route to take, who to trust, what to bring) and navigate a simulated border crossing and asylum application process.

⏱ 90 min·Individual

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Inquiry Circle: Canada's Private Sponsorship Model

Small groups research Canada's unique system where private citizens can sponsor refugees. They interview a local sponsorship group (or read case studies) and present a report on the benefits and challenges of this model.

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: Refugee vs. Economic Migrant

Students read the legal definitions of 'refugee' and 'migrant.' They discuss with a partner whether these categories are still useful in a world where climate change and economic collapse are increasingly driving people from their homes.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

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Real-World Connections

International aid organizations like Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) operate in refugee camps in countries such as Jordan and Bangladesh, providing medical care and essential services to displaced populations.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) works with governments worldwide, including Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), to process resettlement applications and coordinate humanitarian efforts for refugees.

Journalists and documentary filmmakers often report on the experiences of refugees, such as those fleeing conflict in Syria or climate-related disasters in the Sahel region, bringing global attention to displacement issues.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Most refugees want to move to wealthy Western countries.

What to Teach Instead

The vast majority of the world's refugees are hosted by neighboring countries in the developing world (e.g., Turkey, Jordan, Uganda). Using a 'Global Refugee Map' can help students see the actual distribution of displaced people.

Common Misconception

Refugees are a 'drain' on a country's economy.

What to Teach Instead

While there are initial costs, refugees often contribute significantly to their new countries as workers, entrepreneurs, and taxpayers over the long term. Analyzing 'Economic Impact Studies' of migration can help students see this broader picture.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Facilitate a class debate using the prompt: 'Should developed nations prioritize accepting refugees based on need or based on their capacity to integrate them economically and socially?' Students should use evidence from case studies and policy comparisons to support their arguments.

Quick Check

Present students with three brief scenarios describing individuals seeking to leave their home countries. Ask them to identify whether each individual would likely be classified as a refugee, an IDP, or an economic migrant, and to briefly explain their reasoning based on the definitions discussed.

Exit Ticket

On an index card, have students write one significant challenge faced by refugees attempting to integrate into a new society and one specific policy measure Canada could implement to better support refugee integration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a 'Refugee' and an 'Asylum Seeker'?

A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee their country because of a well-founded fear of persecution. An asylum seeker is someone who is seeking international protection but whose claim for refugee status has not yet been determined.

What is the '1951 Refugee Convention'?

It is the key legal document that defines who a refugee is and sets out the rights of individuals who are granted asylum and the responsibilities of nations that grant it. A core principle is 'non-refoulement' (not returning a refugee to a country where they face danger).

How does Canada's refugee resettlement program work?

Canada resettles refugees through three main streams: Government-Assisted, Privately Sponsored, and the Blended Visa Office-Referred program. It is recognized globally for its high per-capita resettlement rates and its private sponsorship model.

How can active learning help students understand migration?

Active learning through 'Perspective-Taking Narratives' is very effective. By reading or listening to first-hand accounts of the migration experience and then 're-telling' those stories through creative projects (like podcasts or journals), students develop empathy and a deeper understanding of the human side of global displacement.