Youth Summit: Refugees at Home and Abroad
Discussion Wall

These are responses to questions on a Discussion Wall at the 2004 Youth Summit: Youth Refugees at Home and Abroad. The following comments are copied word for word from what local high school students and community members wrote. Please note that the opinions expressed are not those of the World Affairs Council.

 

If you had to excauate your home in 30 minutes, what would you take?

(For Refugees): What message do you have for your community about youth refugee issues?

(For Non-Refugees): What message do you have for youth refugees in your community?

What message do you have for President George Bush regarding steps he should take on youth refugee issues?

Comments

If you had to excauate your home in 30 minutes, what would you take?

I would take items that could not be replaced and would be of little value to others to better ensure them staying with me (not be taken/stolen) such as photo albums and family treasures. I would also take an important religious book.

Memories and my clothes, documents and myself.

My family photo album.

I would put on as many clothes as I can put on and take my cooking utilities and some uncooked food.

I would take all my pictures I have of everything. My family, friends, city, or even my room. I believe that pictures are one thing that can last forever because pictures are memories.

I would bring some clothes (to keep me warm) and things that would remind me of my past (such as pictures) and journals, so I could always have something to look back on.

I would take family pictures and Islamic book.

This would be a very hard situation to be in, but if I were I would want to take things that would last that reminded me of my home and family, and I also would definitely take my Bible for encouragement.

Besides a few clothes, some money and whatever else that comes to my minds as what I might need in that moment, I would definitely take a Bible and some books. Entertainment and education, books.

I would bring pencils and paper to write with, a camera, my diaries, and a photo of my family so I can be with them even if we get separated.

I would take clothes, blankets, and pictures to help remember my family.

I would take clothes, food, and my cell phone to call for help. I would also bring water and my passport.

Pictures of family and friends, my dog, and money.

I would take as much clothes as I could put on, and non-perishable food, a tarp, a knife, twine, other survival gear, pictures, a camera, a pad of paper and a pen.

I would take practical things like clothes and blankets and some food, but I would want to take photos and diaries and yearbooks so at least I could remember everything I’d left behind.

(For Refugees): What message do you have for your community about youth refugee issues?

Stay in school and be active in the community you live in.

Do not suspect the refugees came over to take your education system.

Help your community.

(For Non-Refugees): What message do you have for youth refugees in your community?

For making friends, take notice of who else in the class is silent and distant and say hello to them. I have noticed that the most non-sociable people are the most accepting.

To be yourself and not be too shy.

Always be true to yourself.

Continue to believe that if folks learn they also come to care! Teach people about your life, experiences, and communities. Your voices are our avenue to knowledge.

Keep an open mind.

Welcome!

What message do you have for President George Bush regarding steps he should take on youth refugee issues?

Stop trying to dominate others and help them instead.

Use our money to stop wars and help people and not to start them.

We are members of a global community and should start acting as such, instead of policing the rest of the world and starting wars, we should try stopping some with aid and relief.

Stop thinking about reelection and start caring for forgotten people.

Help more people than you kill.

Work on bi-partisan support for the increase in assisting refugees.

Stop “terrorism” where it starts: desperate situations where people lose hope: i.e. Increase foreign aid, decrease defense spending.

Contribute more funds to foundations to help more refugees.

Stop going to war and think more.

Encourage greater media coverage and national awareness of these issues.

Support UN and NGO programs through money and human resources.

Remember that people are people no matter what country they come from. Americans should not get more rights simply from being born in America.

Help the people in Iraq.

Comments:

It has been a very good experience to be here and I am very thankful to the speakers for addressing us.

This is a good experience. This should more commonly practiced event.

You are all so strong and I thank you so much for this life changing experience,(Heart) HC

I really admire the panel of refugees which was with us today. It was really moving to hear kids our age talking about such hardships that they personally went through. I wish more students were given the opportunity to hear them.

Thank you so much, I think I really needed this to have a better realization of how lucky I am to have the ability to do so much! It really touched me. (Heart) always, Kathi

It’s amazing to hear youth refugees talk about their experiences. I wish that more Americans could appreciate what they’ve been through and use less discrimination. The people that talked today are some of the bravest and most determined people that I’ve ever come across. I admire them.

The panel of refugees was really inspiring, & demonstrated braveness – not only for speaking, but for everything else as well. Thanks!

I really admire the people on the panel and other refugees for having such courage to come into a strange world with few if any connections. And then to have the strength and willpower to do something with their lives while so many Americans are too lazy to ever accomplish anything, or have things given too lazy to ever accomplish anything, or have things given too them with no work.