Professional Documents
Culture Documents
“Refugee Children
of a Shattered East.”
After viewing “Refugee Children of a Shattered East,” use this guide to research the issues
surrounding refugees and displaced persons, reflect on how the video impacted you, recall what
you learned, respond in tangible ways, reach out with life-changing help, resolve to follow
God’s Word, and rely on His goodness and power.
Research
» T h e 1 9 5 1 Refugee Conven tion, which established the United Nations
Refugee Agency, defines 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”
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» “ T h e n u m ber of r efugees of c on cer n to UNHCR stood at 10.5 million
refugees 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 to
makeshift 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
» C o u ntr i e s who have signe d the 1951 Refugee Convention are obligated to
adhere 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?”
» Ide a l ly, r efugees shoul d be able to ret urn home safely and with
dignity. However, returning home comes with many challenges, such as rebuilding
homes and livelihoods, reconciling with those who stayed behind, overcoming
difficulties such as landmines and land ownership disputes, and living with the trauma
of conflict and loss.
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Reflect
Ho w do y o u r e act, and respond, when you hear about crises that have forced
thousands of people to leave their homes? Consider these statistics:
Do you think people respond differently to current crises than to ongoing ones? If so,
what effect might our attitude toward conflict have on its resolution and the people it
has displaced?
Recall
W h at a r e t h e l iving con d itions where Fawaz and his family now live
in Jordan?
Acc o rd i n g t o the vi deo, 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?
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W it h re g a rd to t he cr ises 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 children’s futures?
Respond
» D ecr e a s i ng bu dget s fo r ai d 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?
» Or g a n i z ations that help r efugees 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 find 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 Out
Consider making a difference in the following ways:
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Resolve
» Fo r th e L o rd is a Go d of jus tic e. —Isaiah 30:18
» T h e LOR D watc hes ove r t he alien [foreigner] and sustains the fatherless
and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. —Psalm 146:9
» Fi n a l ly, b e s tr ong in the Lo rd and in his mighty power. Put on the full
armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our
struggle is not against flesh 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
» He w i l l wip e every t ear from their eyes. There will be no more
death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. —
Revelation 21:4
Rely
Pray that:
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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, figures, Internet URLs, and other
cited information were verified 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 verification. If you find 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, wvresources@worldvision.org. All rights reserved.
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About World Vision
W o r l d Vi s i o n is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated
to 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 God’s
unconditional love for all people.
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