REFUGEES AND INTERNATIONALLY DISPLACED PERSONS - REFUGIES ET PERSONNES DEPLACEES

 Education for refugees and IDPs

Every year, on World Refugee Day, UNHCR publishes a report on trends in forced displacement. The report Global Trends - ForcedDisplacement in 2020 shows that during the pandemic, there has been a further increase in the number of people fleeing war, violence, persecution and human rights violations to 82.4 million compared to 79.5 million in 2019. Providing education to forcibly displaced children is essential, as Father René Micallef, SJ, argued in an interview for the GCE project. A great example of a project serving refugees is the Brothers project in Lebanon (interview with Rana ElKhoury). And providing education is affordable, as the World Bank argued in a recent report.

 Educazione per i rifugiati e gli sfollati

Ogni anno, in occasione della Giornata mondiale del rifugiato, l'UNHCR pubblica un rapporto sulle tendenze degli sfollamenti forzati. Le Tendenze globali - Sfollamenti forzati nel 2020 rapporto mostra che da causa della pandemia, c'è stato un ulteriore aumento del numero di persone in fuga da guerre, violenze, persecuzioni e violazioni dei diritti umani a 82,4 milioni di persone contro i 79,5 milioni del 2019. Fornire istruzione ai bambini sfollati con la forza è essenziale, come sostenuto dal Padre René Micallef, SJ, in un intervista per il progetto GCE. Un grande esempio di progetto al servizio dei rifugiati è il progetto Fratelli in Libano (intervista a Rana El Khoury). E fornire istruzione è conveniente, come sostenuto dalla Banca Mondiale in un recente relazione.

Éducation pour les réfugiés et les personnes déplacées

Chaque année, à l'occasion de la Journée mondiale des réfugiés, le HCR des Nations Unies publie un rapport sur les tendances des déplacements forcés. Le rapport Tendances mondiales - Déplacement forcé en 2020 montre qu'en dépit de la pandémie, le nombre de personnes fuyant les guerres, la violence, les persécutions et les violations des droits de l'homme a encore augmenté, passant à 82,4 milioni de personnes contre 79,5 milioni en 2019. Offrir une éducation aux enfants déplacés de force est essentiel, comme le soutient le Père René Micallef, SJ, dans un entretien pour le projet GCE. Un bel exemple de projet au service des réfugiés est le projet Fratelli au Liban (entretien avec Rana El Khoury). Et fournir une éducation est abordable, comme le soutient la Banque mondiale dans un récent rapport.

Educación para refugiados y personas desplazadas

Cada año, con motivo del Día Mundial de los Refugiados, el ACNUR publica un informe sobre las tendencias del desplazamiento forzado. El informe Tendencias mundiales: desplazamiento forzado en 2020 muestra que, a pesar de la pandemia, hubo un aumento adicional en el número de personas que huían de guerras, violencia, persecución y violaciones de derechos humanos a 82,4 millones de personas frente a 79,5 millones en 2019. Brindar educación a los niños que son desplazados por la fuerza es esencial, como argumentó el padre René Micallef, SJ, en una entrevista para el proyecto GCE. Un gran ejemplo de un proyecto que sirve a los refugiados es el proyecto Fratelli en el Líbano (entrevista con Rana El Khoury). Y proporcionar educación es asequible, como argumentó el Banco mundial en un informe reciente.

New from the Blog in Catholic Education

TOWARDS AN EVER WIDER “WE” - HACIA UN NOSOTROS CADA VEZ MAS GRANDE - VERS UN NOUS TOUJOURS PLUS GRAND

 

 MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS

FOR THE 107th WORLD DAY 

OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES 2021

AR  - DE  - EN  - ES  - FR  - IT  - PL  - PT

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In the Encyclical Fratelli Tutti, I expressed a concern and a hope that remain uppermost in my thoughts: “Once this health crisis passes, our worst response would be to plunge even more deeply into feverish consumerism and new forms of egotistic self-preservation. God willing, after all this, we will think no longer in terms of ‘them’ and ‘those’, but only ‘us’” (No. 35).

For this reason, I have wished to devote the Message for this year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees to the theme, Towards An Ever Wider “We”, in order to indicate a clear horizon for our common journey in this world.

The history of this “we”

That horizon is already present in God’s creative plan: “God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply’” (Gen 1:27-28). God created us male and female, different yet complementary, in order to form a “we” destined to become ever more numerous in the succession of generations. God created us in his image, in the image of his own triune being, a communion in diversity.

When, in disobedience we turned away from God, he in his mercy wished to offer us a path of reconciliation, not as individuals but as a people, a “we”, meant to embrace the entire human family, without exception: “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them” (Rev 21:3).

Salvation history thus has a “we” in its beginning and a “we” at its end, and at its centre the mystery of Christ, who died and rose so “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21). The present time, however, shows that this “we” willed by God is broken and fragmented, wounded and disfigured. This becomes all the more evident in moments of great crisis, as is the case with the current pandemic. Our “we”, both in the wider world and within the Church, is crumbling and cracking due to myopic and aggressive forms of nationalism (cf. Fratelli Tutti, 11) and radical individualism (cf. ibid., 105). And the highest price is being paid by those who most easily become viewed as others: foreigners, migrants, the marginalized, those living on the existential peripheries.

The truth however is that we are all in the same boat and called to work together so that there will be no more walls that separate us, no longer others, but only a single “we”, encompassing all of humanity. Thus I would like to use this World Day to address a twofold appeal, first to the Catholic faithful and then all the men and women of our world, to advance together towards an ever wider “we”.

 MESSAGE: AR  - DE  - EN  - ES  - FR  - IT  - PL  - PT

EU - BISHOPS CALL FOR SOLIDARITY AND HOPE ON PATH TOWARDS BETTER FUTURE

The Bishops Conferences of Europe highlight the values of solidarity, fraternity and unity as keystones to guiding the continent’s path to a better society.

 FR - DE - IT - ES  

 By Vatican News staff writer

 The Bishops of Europe have addressed a message of hope and a call to solidarity to European Institutions and Member states amid the health crisis that has overwhelmed the world these past months.

In a message released on Wednesday under their umbrella body, COMECE, they reiterated their commitment to the construction of Europe and to its founding values of “solidarity, freedom, inviolability of the human dignity, democracy, rule of law, equality and defence and promotion of human rights.”

Inspired by Christian faith, which “is the ultimate foundation of our hope and universal brotherhood,” the Bishops also reaffirm their will to strive, together with other sister Churches and ecclesial communities, to “build a universal fraternity that leaves no one out.”

The Covid-19 pandemic

Highlighting some of the wide-ranging effects of the Covid-19 health crisis, they noted that the pandemic has shaken many “previous securities and has revealed our vulnerability and our interconnectedness.”

Many, the Bishops noted, were worried that the EU itself “as an economic, political, social and cultural project, was at risk.”

However, propelled by the realization that everyone is in the same boat and we can only save ourselves by staying together, the EU is demonstrating its capacity to rediscover the spirit of the Founding Fathers and is beginning to respond in a united manner. This spirit, the Bishops hope, will be reflected in the Covid-19 recovery instrument and the reinforced EU budget for 2021 – 2027.

A new mindset

The future of the European Union does not depend only on economy and finance, but also on a common spirit and a new mindset, the Bishops stressed.

In this regard, efforts should not be simply devoted to returning to the “old normal.” Instead, the continent must take advantage of the crisis to bring about a “radical change for the better” by rethinking the present models of globalization, guaranteeing respect for the environment, openness to life, social equality, protecting the dignity of workers and the rights of future generations.

The Bishops also pointed out that Pope Francis’ Encyclicals Laudato sí and Fratelli tutti can be a source of inspiration for shaping a new civilization. In Fratelli tutti, the Bishops note, Pope Francis “calls on the whole of humanity to universal brotherhood and social friendship, not forgetting those on the margins, wounded and suffering”. At the same time, the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, with their emphasis on human dignity, solidarity, preferential option for the poor and sustainability, can guide the path to building a different economic model in a post-pandemic society.

Solidarity

COMECE stressed the importance of solidarity as a fundamental principle of the Social Doctrine of the Church as well as being at the core of the European Integration process.

Solidarity, the Bishops said, “is to be understood in terms of ‘doing together’ and as ‘being open to integrate everyone’,” including those on the margins.

In this light, the Bishops appealed for the Covid-19 vaccine, when it becomes available, to be accessible to all, especially to the poor. They also called for increased humanitarian aid and development cooperation, and for military spending to the redirected towards health and social services.

Care for Migrants and refugees

The European Bishops noted that solidarity towards refugees should not only involve funding but extended to include “opening up the borders of the European Union proportionally by each Member State.”

They proposed that the Pact on Migration and Asylum presented by the EU can be a step toward establishing a common and just policy on migration. However, they said, it must also be carefully evaluated. Besides, certain principles and international legal obligations have to be respected “regardless of the persons involved.”

On this issue, the Bishops recommend collaboration with Church institutions and private associations already working in this field.

They further stressed the respect for the freedom of religion of believers, in particular, “the freedom to gather together to exercise their freedom of worship, in full respect of sanitary requirements” during the pandemic.

Post-pandemic society

During these months of pandemic, the Bishops note that they have witnessed “so many signs that open us up to hope,” from the work of health personnel, to caregivers for the elderly and the gestures of ecclesial communities - notwithstanding the difficult moments, including times of suffering, loneliness and sometimes, death.

The Bishops recalled Pope Francis’ Urbi et Orbi message on Easter Sunday when he noted that Europe was able to rise again and overcome the rivalries of the past after the Second World War. For the Pope, they noted, it is important that “these rivalries do not regain force, but that all recognize themselves as part of a single family and support one another.”

Therefore, whether the world will be better or worse after the crisis, or whether we will come out strengthened in solidarity or not, the depends on us, the Bishops stressed.

Concluding, the European Bishops expressed their hope that Europe can come out from this crisis “stronger, wiser, more united, exercising more solidarity, caring more for our common home, being a continent that pushes the whole world forward towards greater fraternity, justice, peace and equality.”

 Vatican News

THE BISHOPS MESSAGE 

Download the statement in EN - FR - DE - IT - ES  

 

 

EXPANDING THE FORTRESS -- EXPANDIENDO LA FORTALEZA

The policies, the profiteers and the people shaped by EU's border externalisation programme

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The EU has made migration control a central goal of its foreign relations, rapidly expanding border externalisation measures that require neighbouring countries to act as Europe's border guards. This report examines 35 countries, prioritised by the EU, and finds authoritarian regimes emboldened to repress civil society, vulnerable refugees forced to turn to more dangerous and deadly routes, and European arms and security firms booming off the surge in funding for border security systems and technologies.

The plight of the world’s 66 million forcibly displaced persons seems to only trouble the European Union’s conscience when the media spotlight turns on a tragedy at Europe’s borders. Only one European nation – Germany - is even in the top ten countries worldwide that receive refugees leaving the vast majority of forcibly displaced persons hosted by some of the world’s poorest nations. The invisibility therefore is only broken when border communities such as Calais, Lampedusa, Lesvos become featured in the news as desperate people fleeing violence end up dead, detained or trapped.

These tragedies aren’t just unfortunate results of war or conflict elsewhere, they are also the direct result of Europe’s policies on migration since the Schengen agreement in 1985. This approach has focused on fortifying borders, developing ever more sophisticated surveillance and tracking of people, and increasing deportations while providing ever fewer legal options for residency despite ever greater need. This has led many forcibly displaced persons unable to enter Europe legally and forced into ever more dangerous routes to escape violence and conflict.

What is less well-known is that the same European-made tragedy plays out well beyond our borders in countries as far away as Senegal and Azerbaijan. This is due to another pillar of Europe’s approach to migration, known as border externalisation. Since 1992 and even more aggressively since 2005, the EU has developed policies to externalise Europe’s border so that forcibly displaced people never get to Europe’s borders in the first place. This involves agreements with Europe’s neighbouring countries to accept deported persons and to adopt the same policies of border control, improved tracking of people and fortified borders as Europe. In other words, these agreements have turned Europe’s neighbours into Europe’s new border guards. And because they are so far from Europe’s shores and media, the impacts are almost completely invisible to EU citizens.

This report seeks to shine a spotlight on the policies that underpin this externalisation of Europe’s borders, the agreements that have been signed, the corporations and entities that profit, and the consequences for forcibly displaced people as well as the countries and populations that host them. It is the third in a series titled Border Wars that have examined Europe’s border policies and shown how the arms and security industry has helped shape European border security policies and have then reaped the rewards for ever more border security measures and contracts.

This report shows a significant growth in border externalisation measures and agreements since 2005 and a massive acceleration since the November 2015 Valletta Europe – Africa Summit. Using a plethora of new instruments, in particular the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), the Migration Partnership Framework and the Refugee Facility for Turkey, the European Union and individual member states are now providing millions of euros for an array of projects to stop migration of certain people from taking place on or across European territory……

 Read: Expanding the fortress

Look at:  https://youtu.be/SsssVTm2fi4

MIGRATIONS, A CHALLENGE FOR PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENTS

Pope Francis:

" .... At this time, when the International Community is engaged in two processes aimed at the adoption of two global compacts, one on refugees and the other on safe, orderly and regular migration, I encourage you in your work and your efforts to ground responsibility for the shared global management of international migration in the values of justice, solidarity and compassion. This demands a change in mindset: we must move from considering others as threats to our comfort to valuing them as persons whose life experience and values can contribute greatly to the enrichment of our society. For this to happen, our basic approach must be “to encounter the other, to welcome, to know and to acknowledge him or her” (Homily for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, 14 January 2018).

In order to acknowledge and respond to the current migration situation, the assistance of the entire international community is needed, since its transnational dimension exceeds the capacities and resources of many States. Such international cooperation is important at every stage of migration: from departing one’s country of origin all the way to reaching one’s destination, as well as facilitating reentry and transit. In each of these countries, migrants are vulnerable, feeling alone and isolated. The recognition of this fact is vitally important if we wish to give a concrete and dignified response to this humanitarian challenge.

Finally, I would like to point out that the issue of migration is not simply one of numbers, but of persons, each with his or her own history, culture, feelings and aspirations… These persons, our brothers and sisters, need “ongoing protection”, independently of whatever migrant status they may have. 

Their fundamental rights and their dignity need to be protected and defended.

Particular concern must be shown for migrant children and their families, those who are victims of human trafficking rings, and those displaced due to conflicts, natural disasters and persecution. 

All of them hope that we will have the courage to tear down the wall of “comfortable and silent complicity” that worsens their helplessness; they are waiting for us to show them concern, compassion and devotion.

I give thanks to God for your work and service, and I encourage you to continue your efforts to respond to the plea of our brothers and sisters, who ask us to recognize them as such, to give them an opportunity to live in dignity and peace, and in so doing, to contribute to the development of peoples.... "

From the Vatican, 14 June 2018

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Refugee integration policy needs concerted effort

The need for concerted efforts at national and international levels to effectively integrate refugee children into education was highlighted at a seminar hosted by Education International. The seminar also focused on the need for action in education policy to reduce the risk of a lost generation of children.

Europe has a key role in promoting the inclusion and future prospects of newcomers. That was the message at an event in Brussels, Belgium, attended by academics, union delegates, and stakeholders. The event, held at the European Economic and Social Council (EESC), was organised by Education International (EI), the global education federation. It aimed to highlight what member states must do to effectively create opportunities and hope for newcomers through education.

The meeting also included the launch of the publication, ‘Education: Hope for Newcomers in Europe’, by Nihad Bunar, Dita Vogel, Elina Stock, Sonia Grigt, and Begoña López Cuesta. Martin Henry, EI research coordinator, summarised the key findings of the study.

Role of Europe and education

Public education has a significant role in the inclusion of refugees in their host societies, according to speaker Mario Soares of the workers’ group at the EESC. He highlighted the risk of producing a lost generation if refugee children were not integrated into national school systems. Europe has a key role in promoting the inclusion of newcomers and migrants can enrich host societies, he said.

National governments must ensure that education curricula are tailored to the needs of all children, teachers are trained accordingly, and resources are allocated appropriately, said Haldis Holst, EI Deputy General Secretary. “The integration of newcomers and refugees is a political, economic, and social challenge,” she added.

Social partners

Attendees also heard how social partners in education also have a role in making demands of policy makers. Susan Flocken, European Director of EI’s European Council (ETUCE), highlighted the case in the European Union, where ETUCE participates in negotiations with governments and employers. She also stressed the role of education in fostering democratic citizenship and countering right-wing extremism.

Flocken highlighted the ETUCE resolution on migration that focuses on the recognition of migrant skills and qualifications. In addition, she said that, after education, newcomers would integrate into host countries’ labour force – and be supported by trade unions.

More needed

The seminar also heard from Denitsa Sacheva, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Bulgaria, who said that Bulgaria was exploring an integrated approach to the education of refugee children. However, many newcomers are still outside of the education system or have only attended school briefly. She reasserted the need for psychological support of newcomers and their families, but also for the professional development of teachers.

Plenary sessions brought together academic and political perspectives and provided an opportunity to align actions at different levels to foster positive change. Teachers and education unionists also highlighted the need to listen to the actors on the ground in order to effect positive change for students.  

Read: REFUGE INTEGRATION  

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WELCOMING, PROTECTING, PROMOTING AND INTEGRATING MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES - MESSAGE OF POPE FRANCIS - DE - EN - ES - FR - IT - PL - PT

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
FOR THE  104th WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES 2018
[14 January 2018]

“Welcoming, protecting, promoting and
integrating migrants and refugees”

 Dear brothers and sisters!

“You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:34).

Throughout the first years of my pontificate, I have repeatedly expressed my particular concern for the lamentable situation of many migrants and refugees fleeing from war, persecution, natural disasters and poverty.  This situation is undoubtedly a “sign of the times” which I have tried to interpret, with the help of the Holy Spirit, ever since my visit to Lampedusa on 8 July 2013.  When I instituted the new Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, I wanted a particular section – under my personal direction for the time being – to express the Church’s concern for migrants, displaced people, refugees and victims of human trafficking.

Every stranger who knocks at our door is an opportunity for an encounter with Jesus Christ, who identifies with the welcomed and rejected strangers of every age (Matthew 25:35-43).  The Lord entrusts to the Church’s motherly love every person forced to leave their homeland in search of a better future. ......

MENSAJE DEL SANTO PADRE FRANCISCO
PARA LA JORNADA MUNDIAL DEL MIGRANTE Y DEL REFUGIADO 2018
[14 de enero de 2018]

“Acoger, proteger, promover e integrar
a los emigrantes y refugiados”

 Queridos hermanos y hermanas:

«El emigrante que reside entre vosotros será para vosotros como el indígena: lo amarás como a ti mismo, porque emigrantes fuisteis en Egipto. Yo soy el Señor vuestro Dios» (Lv 19,34).

Durante mis primeros años de pontificado he manifestado en repetidas ocasiones cuánto me preocupa la triste situación de tantos emigrantes y refugiados que huyen de las guerras, de las persecuciones, de los desastres naturales y de la pobreza. Se trata indudablemente de un «signo de los tiempos» que, desde mi visita a Lampedusa el 8 de julio de 2013, he intentado leer invocando la luz del Espíritu Santo. Cuando instituí el nuevo Dicasterio para el Servicio del Desarrollo Humano Integral, quise que una sección especial —dirigida temporalmente por mí— fuera como una expresión de la solicitud de la Iglesia hacia los emigrantes, los desplazados, los refugiados y las víctimas de la trata.

Cada forastero que llama a nuestra puerta es una ocasión de encuentro con Jesucristo, .........

MESSAGE DU PAPE FRANÇOIS
POUR LA JOURNÉE MONDIALE DU MIGRANT ET DU RÉFUGIÉ 2018[14 janvier 2018]

« Accueillir, protéger, promouvoir et intégrer
les migrants et les réfugiés »

 Chers frères et sœurs,

« L’immigré qui réside avec vous sera parmi vous comme un compatriote, et tu l’aimeras comme toi-même, car vous-mêmes avez été immigrés au pays d’Égypte. Je suis le Seigneur votre Dieu » (Lv 19, 34).

Durant les premières années de mon pontificat, j’ai exprimé à maintes reprises une préoccupation spéciale concernant la triste situation de nombreux migrants et réfugiés qui fuient les guerres, les persécutions, les catastrophes naturelles et la pauvreté. Il s’agit sans doute d’un ‘‘signe des temps’’ que j’ai essayé de lire, en invoquant la lumière de l’Esprit Saint depuis ma visite à Lampedusa le 8 juillet 2013. En créant le nouveau Dicastère pour le Service du Développement humain intégral, j’ai voulu qu’une section spéciale, placée ad tempus sous mon autorité directe, exprime la sollicitude de l’Église envers les migrants, les personnes déplacées, les réfugiés et les victimes de la traite.

Tout immigré qui frappe à notre porte est une occasion de rencontre avec Jésus Christ, .......

BOTSCHAFT VON PAPST FRANZISKUS
ZUM 104. WELTTAG DES MIGRANTEN UND FLÜCHTLINGS 2018
[14. Januar 2018]

„Die Migranten und Flüchtlinge aufnehmen,
beschützen, fördern und integrieren“

Liebe Brüder und Schwestern!

»Der Fremde, der sich bei euch aufhält, soll euch wie ein Einheimischer gelten und du sollst ihn lieben wie dich selbst; denn ihr seid selbst Fremde in Ägypten gewesen. Ich bin der Herr, euer Gott« (Lev 19,34).

Während der ersten Jahre meines Pontifikats habe ich wiederholt meiner besonderen Sorge um die traurige Situation so vieler Migranten und Flüchtlinge Ausdruck verliehen, die von Kriegen, Verfolgungen, Naturkatastrophen und der Armut fliehen. Es handelt sich ohne Zweifel um ein „Zeichen der Zeit“, das ich zu entziffern versucht habe, wofür ich seit meinem Besuch in Lampedusa am 8. Juli 2013 das Licht des Heiligen Geistes erfleht habe. Bei der Errichtung des neuen Dikasteriums für den Dienst zugunsten der ganzheitlichen Entwicklung des Menschen wollte ich, dass eine besondere Abteilung, die zeitweise meiner unmittelbaren Leitung unterstellt sein sollte, die Fürsorge der Kirche für die Migranten, die Evakuierten, die Flüchtlinge und die Opfer des Menschenhandels zum Ausdruck bringe.

Jeder Fremde, der an unsere Tür klopft, gibt uns eine Gelegenheit zur Begegnung mit Jesus Christus, .......

MESSAGGIO DEL SANTO PADRE FRANCESCO
PER LA GIORNATA MONDIALE DEL MIGRANTE E DEL RIFUGIATO 2018
[14 gennaio 2018]

“Accogliere, proteggere, promuovere e integrare
i migranti e i rifugiati”

Cari fratelli e sorelle!

«Il forestiero dimorante fra voi lo tratterete come colui che è nato fra voi; tu l’amerai come te stesso perché anche voi siete stati forestieri in terra d’Egitto. Io sono il Signore, vostro Dio» (Lv 19,34).

Durante i miei primi anni di pontificato ho ripetutamente espresso speciale preoccupazione per la triste situazione di tanti migranti e rifugiati che fuggono dalle guerre, dalle persecuzioni, dai disastri naturali e dalla povertà. Si tratta indubbiamente di un “segno dei tempi” che ho cercato di leggere, invocando la luce dello Spirito Santo sin dalla mia visita a Lampedusa l’8 luglio 2013. Nell’istituire il nuovo Dicastero per il Servizio dello Sviluppo Umano Integrale, ho voluto che una sezione speciale, posta ad tempus sotto la mia diretta guida, esprimesse la sollecitudine della Chiesa verso i migranti, gli sfollati, i rifugiati e le vittime della tratta.

Ogni forestiero che bussa alla nostra porta è un’occasione di incontro con Gesù Cristo, ....

MESSAGGIO   DE  - EN  - ES  - FR  - IT  - PL  - PT