Description
Worldwide displacement from wars, conflict, and persecution is at the highest level ever recorded by the UNHCR, and it continues to accelerate. Almost 60 million people were forcibly displaced at the end of 2014; alarmingly, over half of the world’s refugees are children. One in every 122 humans worldwide is now either a refugee, internally displaced, or seeking asylum – if this were a nation’s population, it would be the world’s 24th most populous. The war in Syria, currently the world’s single largest driver of displacement, has forced millions into neighbouring countries and throughout Europe, in the process challenging border security and nations’ capacity and willingness to help. What is a refugee, and why are their numbers increasing? What are better-off countries doing to respond to this growing global crisis? What are Australia’s human rights obligations to asylum seekers in relation to immigration detention and ‘stopping the boats’? This book explores global refugee trends, and discusses Australia’s response to the plight of asylum seekers and refugees. In our practically borderless global society, how should Australia play its part in dealing with this unprecedented humanitarian crisis? Chapter 1: Global refugee trends Chapter 2: Australia’s response to the refugee crisis Worksheets and activities; Fast facts; Glossary; Web links; Index
