Monday, March 7, 2016


The Global Refugee Crisis
 
Globally, there are an estimated 59.5 million displaced persons in the world at this time.  This means one in every 122 people has been forcibly displaced from his/her home.  Half of these are children. (UNHR)  Wars, access to food and water, economic turmoil, climate change, and political upheaval are all factors in many millions seeking safety and a better life.  Some are internally displaced within their own countries, some become refugees seeking temporary safety in foreign countries, and some seek asylum, fleeing persecution and threats to their life and liberty.  Heartbreaking images of families fleeing the Syrian Civil War have compelled many to act, but the situation has reached a humanitarian crisis that is unrivaled in human history.     

The increasing influx of refugees presents a number of serious challenges to those countries who receive them.  Many countries that refugees travel through or hope to reach as destinations do not have the infrastructure to cope with millions of people arriving with little to support themselves.  Some of these countries are experiencing a backlash against perceived threats to safety and economic opportunity that the presence of refugees represents.  In response, many have tightened border controls and some have stopped accepting refugees entirely.  Frontline countries like Greece and Turkey are overwhelmed with the sheer numbers of people moving through their territory.  China and India essentially see the Middle East refugee problem as belonging to Europe and the West, even when refugee numbers have grown by 31% in that region alone.     

The question before the Eurasian Conference is how should this global humanitarian crisis be addressed?

A:  Countries will accept refugees based on economic capacity (as represented by total points at the beginning of the conference).
B:  Countries will accept refugees based on population.
C:  Each country will decide for itself how to deal with refugees.
D:  An alternative resolution is to:  __________________________________

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