20th June World Refugee Day

Refugee Week in Australia is always held from Sunday to Saturday of the week which includes 20 June (World Refugee Day). For 2023, it will be held from Sunday 18 June to Saturday 24 June. It is Australia’s peak annual activity to inform the public about refugees and celebrate positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society.  

There is always a theme for refugee Week and this year it is Finding Freedom.

It is always interesting having a discussion with the children under eight years old,  that I teach about what freedom is. They live very comfortable, safe lives and experience very little hardship so they have a view that being free means that you can do whatever you like...but        

What does it mean to be free?  

Are we all born free?

Using this page from this book might be a good place to start a discussion.

To live without the fear of war, to have your basic human rights upheld, to live in equality and without the fear of persecution are just some of the examples of what freedom can entail. Every day millions of people across the world embark on dangerous journeys for the sole purpose of finding safety and freedom. From Australia to nations across the globe, settling into a new environment after experiencing the perils of a refugee’s journey can also provide the opportunity to live, to love and to dream.   

Rightly so, young children here are generally shielded from the fear of war and persecution, but this doesn't mean that they cannot feel through literature some of the feelings that refugee children experience. There are Ukrainian children living temporarily in Sydney and our children may meet them at school, their sporting club or church. It is important that these privileged children see that refugee children are just like them, wanting to play, eat, learn...

There are so many picture books that can be shared to start conversations about what it is like to be a refugee. You can start with something subtle like Amira's Suitcase where it is inferred or you can look at life in a refugee camp where the children are busy playing as if it is in the school playground. 

The Refugee Council of Australia's website suggests picture books to read. Also look at this Pinterest page.

SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

Goal 16 Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and  inclusive institutions at all levels.

The number of people fleeing war, persecution and conflict exceeded 70 million in 2018, the highest level recorded by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) in almost 70 years. 

Choose a book from here.

Where to start here? Peace, Justice or Institutions? Do students realise there is more to 'peace' than 'silence and no fighting'? Do they know what 'justice' is and when it is needed? Do they realise a school is an 'institution'? Do they understand what makes someone a refugee? All very big questions when you are under eight years old?

Maybe a good place to start with very young children is to look at the rights of a child and there are several picture books that you can use for this. In fact this could be a good place to start all the reading on the Sustainable Development Goals as there is no rule that says you have to start at Goal 1.

Our library has 

• I Have the Right to be a Child by Alain Serres and Aurelia Fronty

• We Are All Born Free by Amnesty International 

• For Every Child  by UNICEF

If you don't have these there is a short film clip that is good called 

I Have the Right to be a Child

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOsq5MVXZzk

I would then read a book about a refugee child who is dealing with a situation which means that some of his/her rights have been denied. Fortunately, now there are so many really good picture books to choose from for this age group. You could use any of these to ask what right is the child being denied and /or how is this child being shown kindness or given hope?

• My Name is Not Refuge by Kate Milner

• Hello! a Counting Book of Kindnesses by Hollis Kurman and Stephane Barroux

• The Colour of Home by Mary Hoffman and Karin Littlewood

• A Child's Garden by Michael Foreman

And if you feel that your students are troubled by this, finish on a high note with 

Good People Everwhere by Lynea Gillen and Kristina Swarner.

Here's the blurb:

A colorful picture book that will warm the hearts of children and adults alike, each of its pages contain endearing examples and vibrant illustrations to inspire children to grow into grateful, caring, and giving people. It provides a wonderful way to calm children before sleep, ease their fears, and help them develop an appreciation for good work. Also included are activity pages to help children practice skills for creating gratitude, compassion, and beauty in daily life. 

From the booklet:

Ask • Do you think you are free? What makes you think that?

 

• We read...

• This story made me think that being free and safe means...