Representative from the UNHR will speak about the Current Global Refugee Crisis

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By: Stephen Roddewig (’18)

“This is a global crisis – it affects us all.  First and foremost, nobody should be forced to flee from their homes or risk everything in the hopes of finding safety and security.  Everyone deserves basic rights and protections.” Brian Reich, Project Director – the Hive

As of June of this year, 59.5 million people have been displaced from their homes across the globe, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (http://www.unhcr.org/558193896.html). From World War II onward, the UNHCR has worked to help displaced refugees across the globe, but never before has the issue reached such a level. Recent news has focused on the emergencies in Europe, but the refugee crisis extends beyond the Middle East and Europe into Africa, Latin America, and South America. The issue truly has become global in scale.

As part of an initiative to raise awareness, Brian Reich, Project Director for the Hive, will be presenting about the global refugee crisis at James Madison University. “The Hive is a special projects unit of USA for UNHCR/UNHCR focused on getting more Americans to engage with the global refugee crisis,” said Reich. Its focus is on spreading awareness and promoting engagement, using data to identify prospective supporters in communities, and unlocking the resources of the US market to provide support and advocacy for international refugees. Overall, according to Reich, “We are looking at transforming behavior, expanding the number of people who are aware of and committed to addressing the refugee crisis, and more.”

Reich will focus on the role we, as JMU Students and Americans, can play in helping to support the millions of refugees worldwide. “I will talk a lot about the role that Americans can play in addressing the refugee crisis – and what it will take to get more people to become knowledgeable and committed to a global crisis of this kind.”

Awareness is the first step towards progress, and without more involvement, this crisis will not be solved on its own. “We are not going to address this crisis unless more Americans, and people from all different backgrounds and perspectives, become involved,” said Reich, adding, “My hope is to spark interest, to demonstrate the many different ways that people can get involved and help.”

The United States is already involved in aiding international refugees. According to Reich, “The United States is already the largest donor to UNHCR and refugee relief efforts around the globe. We also accept more refugees for resettlement than any other country. This is already an issue that Americans are involved with, and committed to helping address.” But in the face of such staggering numbers of displaced people, more help is needed. Involvement and change starts at the individual level, and for us, that means starting here on campus.

In particular, JMU and its students have great potential to make a difference in this current crisis, according to Reich. “JMU students can be leaders, can provide new thinking and innovations that will help to address the crisis, and get more Americans to engage.” The global refugee crisis provides us as a campus and a nation a chance to show how we can help address international issues. “This is a massive opportunity, and a great challenge – and I think JMU students are up to the task of meeting that challenge.”

The presentation will be given on October 23 at 3:00 p.m. in ISAT/CS 236. All students and faculty are welcome.

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Published: Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Last Updated: Thursday, November 2, 2023

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