How can everyday people deal with the real issues of displacement, war and violation of human rights suffered by the displaced of the world?
June 20th is World Refugee Day, a day to celebrate the contributions of refugees throughout the world. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Hong Kong have a whole set of events to mark the day. This includes concerts and documentary screenings. One event is the ‘Refugee run’ co-organized by the charity, Crossroads Hong Kong. This simulation exercise allows people to have a sense of empathy with the world’s displaced refugees.
Often the needs of refugees are reduced to statistics or data on a graph. The refugee run seeks to bring alive, under limited conditions, the situations faced by the millions of people who are refugees and IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). Regarding refugees, people often wonder:
* “How would I cope with war time conditions and the fear of persecution?”
* “Would I be physically and mentally prepared for such an ordeal over a sustained period of time?”
The Refugee Run answers this and more! Millionaire businessman Richard Branson and United Nations General Secretary, Ban Ki-moon, have experienced the exercise and highly praise it! Angelina Jolie is also a huge supporter of the UNHCR and often travels to visit some of the areas currently suffering from huge population shifts and suffering.
What are the goals of the run?
* EDUCATION: To provide a greater knowledge and awareness of the situation.
* EMPATHY: Allow participants to engage, to care about refugees.
* EMPOWERMENT: Explore ways, during the debriefing, for participants to respond.
Is it realistic? Is it respectful?
In order to portray the run in a sensitive way, the run is co-developed with the experiences of former refugees. They are consulted on the story line and its true-ness to life, that the props and set conform to the reality and the points they consider of critical importance for participants to take away.
All aspects of refugee life shown are further supported through the wider work that the UNHCR and Crossroads perform via visits made to camps or other places of refuge.
How intense is the simulation?
The run is a very powerful experience! A minimum recommended age of 15 is considered and time is taken to warn those considering the experience that they will be placed in a highly intense situation. No actual harm will come to participants.
The experience is very hands-on as the more immersive an environment, the more powerful participants have found it. This is as real as it can get!
Feedback from past participants:
“You lose control of your life.”
“I felt dehumanized.”
“I totally shut down.”
“You live in fear.”
“There was no hope.”
“No time for grieving.”
“Makes my normal life seem ostentatious.”
“There is no exaggeration. Camp life really is like this.”
“There’s no better way to communicate than simulation…”
For more on World Refugee Day and the Refugee run set for June 20th 2009 in Hong Kong, please check the links below. For a Refugee Run in your own city, please check your local UNHCR website.
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Film Review – “WELCOME” – A Journey to a New Life :
"WELCOME" is a popular new French film dealing with the tough issues of refugees and migration in the Northern port city of Calais. “Welcome” portrays the lives of refugees with one sole goal, to live and work in England, seen as the land of endless opportunity. READ MORE
2009 World Toilet Day 'BIG SQUAT' RESULTS and 3 important P's CLICK HERE
WORLD FOOD DAY 2009 – OCTOBER 16th – “ACHIEVING FOOD SECURITY IN TIMES OF CRISIS”CLICK HERE
THE DEVIL CAME ON HORSEBACK – part of the HK UNCHR Refugee Film Week CLICK HERE
Award winning documentary film: "NEW YEAR BABY", a review ... by Chris Lau, published on 24 June 2009CLICK HERE
Interview with "NEW YEAR BABY" director, Socheata Poeuv: Capturing the Past for the Future
New Year Baby - part of the Hong Kong UNHCR’ s World Refugee Day celebrations - June 20, 2009 CLICK HERE
iCUBED.us' ANNUAL SILENT FILM FEST CONTEST 2009-10 (with Crossroads Foundation & UNHCR)CLICK HERE
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