World Refugee Day, June 20th, commemorates the strength, courage and perseverance of forcibly displaced refugees around the world. According to UNHCR, there are 68.5 milion forcibly displaced people. 25 million are refugees.
The Following Short Film is Appropriate For All Grade Levels
After watching the following PSA New Together, students consider a time they were new to something to gain a better understanding of how a person immigrating from another country would feel.
The Following Resources are Recommended for Middle and High School Students
MY HERO recommends students watch the following films in order to learn more about refugees in today's world and consider the discussion questions.
Do you have any members of your family or community who were refugees? Share their story with MY HERO.
Jayne Fleming, the leader of the Reed Smith Refugee Protection Project, offers legal and psychosocial support to some of Jordan’s most vulnerable refugees. (running time 9:56 minutes)
Bashir's Dream centers around Qusai Bashir Masaama, a 14-year-old Syrian refugee in Jordan who was shot in the back by a sniper while on a candy run. (running time 4:45 minutes)
Forced to adapt to new lives as refugees in Jordan's Zaatari camp, these three Syrians are making the best of things and staying positive. (running time 3:52 minutes)
Knowing they may never be able to return home, many refugees have decided to set out on the dangerous and perilous journey for a new life in Europe.
Stories about Ukrainian Refugees from the Christian Science Monitor
Learn about Dr. Hawa Abdi who opened her family's land to refugees during the civil war in Somalia, providing safety.
Dr. Hawa Abdi turned her family's land into a hospital to serve displaced Somalians during the civil war.
The following stories show the impact of displacement on refugees and the strength needed to overcome.
Rejina's Nepalese grandfather was forced to leave Butan with only the clothes on his back.
Discussion Questions
1. Students are encouraged to research people and organizations helping refugees in each of these countries.What are your thoughts about the global response to the refugee crisis in today's world?
2. What are some of the causes of the refugee crisis?
3. What organizations or people are helping today's refugees? What can you do?
4. What are some challenges refugees face? Do you know anyone who is a refugee or a family member was a refugee?
Students analyze the mural below depicting refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and Iraq. After reading the short description of the three refugees, who now live in Maryland, students are encouraged to research the causes of the refugee crisis in each of these countries.
The Global Refugee Mural created by Joel Bergner with Action Ashe! Global Mural Project is in Maryland
MY HERO recommends that students watch this expressionistic film to learn more about the dangers refugees face and consider the discussion questions.
This expressionistic film offers the point of view of the refugees in crisis. Mantra chronicles the dangerous obstacles refugees face on their journeys. (running time 4:09 min)
Discussion Questions and Activity
1. Why do you think this film has no dialogue? What effect does that have on the message of the film?
2. Students research the current refugee crisis to learn more about the people and organizations working to help refugees.
MY HERO Suggested Video
"Malala Yousafzai - Helping Refugee Girls with “We Are Displaced” & Malala Fund | The Daily Show" (2019) by TrevorNoahShowUSA
Malala Yousafzai discusses her efforts to humanize refugees by sharing their stories and explains why Malala Fund stresses education.
Learning Outcomes
Students will develop higher level learning skills as they evaluate the causes and the global response to the current refugee crisis.
Teachers: Visit MY HERO for additional MY HERO Curated Resources for World Refugee Day..
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The World Refugee Day lesson plan was created by MY HERO Education Outreach Director Laura Nietzer. |
MY HERO Calendars for use in the Classroom
MY HERO's Teachers Calendar Features Lesson Plans and Multimedia Resources
Learn about a New Hero Every Day of the Year: Use the MY HERO Calendar in the Classroom
Related Links
Students can share their Hero Essays, Films and Art through our Create Program
Organizer created on 5/8/2019 12:35:42 PM by Laura Nietzer
Last edited 5/9/2023 1:35:31 PM by Laura Nietzer
