Teaching ideas

REFUGEE SETTLEMENT

Lesson 1: Durable solutions

Learning outcome

Participants will learn about (and compare) the global responses to refugees: repatriation, local integration and resettlement.

Lesson resources

Step 1. Matching definitions

Provide students with the terms and definitions from the resource Matching definitions [DOC]. Ask students to match each word with its definition and discuss.

Step 2. Digital clips

Ask students to watch and read several of the texts (articles and videos) available at: Roads to Refuge » Refugee settlement » Global response.

Find an example of each ‘durable solution’ (repatriation, integration, resettlement).

  • What are the challenges for governments and refugees in each situation?
  • What are the benefits of resettlement for refugees?

Step 3. Research

Ask students to choose one country-in-conflict to research (e.g. Syria), and imagine that they have been assigned to work with the UNHCR helping refugees who are fleeing from there. Ask them to investigate:

  • What border areas are available for people to seek asylum? What are the benefits of these places?
  • What (if any) restrictions are there in regards to housing, health, education and/ or employment?
  • How can people be transported safely to a third country?
  • Are there any options for people to be repatriated eventually? (Consider the reasons they might be leaving. Are there political, cultural or religious factors that would endanger them if they returned?)