The refugee crisis is a test of our character | David Miliband by TED

The refugee crisis and how you can help

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Find out about what the 'refugee crisis' is, how it affects people and what happens. Learn how to support people in this situation and take action!

Your Challenge:

Your challenge is to find out background information about the refugee crisis, how refugees are affected and what their lives are like while they are displaced. 

Follow this Process:

1. Watch this video This is a Ted Talk video filmed in April 2017. It is called ‘The refugee crisis is a test of our character’, presented by David Miliband. 

2. Discuss After watching this video discuss with a partner if you realised the scale of the crisis, were you surprised by the 25 million-refugee number? Discuss information from the video about helping refugees and any other ways you think you could help refugees in New Zealand. Some things to consider that David mentions are:

  1. Encouraging employers in New Zealand to employ refugees

  2. Fundraising money to give to refugee charities

  3. Researching which politicians support refugees

  4. Raising awareness about the refugee crisis

3. Brainstorm After this discussion, brainstorm your different ideas about supporting refugees in New Zealand. 

Some actions you might take could be:

  • raising awareness on the issue
  • practical ways you could help refugees in your community and city such as helping people improve their English skills
  • setting up a buddy system to help young refugees have a friend to help them adjust to life here
  • encouraging refugees to participate in their community
  • researching which politicians support refugees and fundraising to give money to refugee charities


4. Research Find out more information about the refugee crisis and the work the United Nations does to support refugees. You can start with these links: 

Record new information and ways you can support refugees.

5. Summarise Summarise what you have learned about the refugee crisis, then report back to the class on ways you can support refugees and any ideas on how you can do this from your research. Write these ideas on the whiteboard.

6. Take action Consider what the most effective ways you can support refugees are. Start with your strongest idea, whether it’s a fundraiser or the buddy system to support refugees in your community. As a class decide on an idea and start planning how you can set it up and take action.

7. Capture and share Once you have decided what action you will take, reach out to your local MP and tell them what you are doing as a class to raise awareness in your community about the refugee crisis.

Educator Notes

To make this more accessible:
Skip the individual research part and focus on brainstorming ways to support refugees and the summary on key things the students have learned and importantly encouraging them to take action

Once the class has decided on a way to take action, encourage them to think about how it can specifically help refugees and guide them in the planning/ organisation.

To make this more challenging:

Ask the students to write an argument or essay on what they personally think the most effective way to help refugees in New Zealand is. Do they think raising money, community support or something else is the best way? Ask them to make their argument as convincing as possible, and encourage them to think of something different that could help.

Instead of contacting a local newspaper encourage the students to set up a Facebook page or website that promotes and raises awareness about their project.

Useful links