Introduction: Welcome to One World Week 2016 ‘Global Rights, Nobel Goals: Refugees, Migration, the Sustainable Development Goals and YOUth’ is the theme for this resource. The last five years have seen the crisis in Syria (and other parts of the world such as Somalia, Libya, etc) and the arrival of refugees into Europe overshadowing all else in the media, in the political sphere and of course in the development arena also. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), introduced in 2015, have been overshadowed by the migrant crisis. Given that the goals represent a 15 year global commitment, this ebbing and flowing in the media and development landscape is a challenge to be accepted. This resource recognises the immediate importance of the Syrian refugee crisis as well as the importance of issues relating to refugees and migration in general. However, it seeks to demonstrate how the SDGs also recognise the importance of the plight of refugees and the drivers of migration. The SDGs have targets and indicators in place that deal directly with its most important aspects i.e. the need for well-managed migration policies, the importance of reliable data on refugees and internally displaced persons, or the necessity for robust migrant workers’ rights (especially for women).
The resource seeks to put the plight of refugees and the drivers of migration into a wider political context with the SDGs as a tool providing insight and authority. The activities challenge young people to be empathetic to the stark reality and perilous journeys facing refugees and migrants, including giving some insight into what it might be like to have to live that reality and make the tough choices facing their fellow human beings every day. The last three activities challenge and support young people to think about their own role in the world. This resource introduces the SDGs as a framework for action to support migrants and refugees, whilst also inviting young people (and others) to take action across the 17 goals. It is not possible to capture everything in this resource because of the broadness of the issues involved. However, we will work to update you through www.youthdeved.ie and www.oneworldweek.ie and social media.
One World Week One World Week is a week of youth-led awareness raising, education and action that takes place throughout Ireland during the third week in November every year. It coincides with the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. During One World Week young people learn about local, national, and global justice issues and take action to bring about change. Some organise public events, quizzes and debates, invite guest speakers or have intercultural evenings. Others undertake projects using the arts: through film, drama, art and song. Many groups publicly display the work they have done in preparation for One World Week, or lead other people in undertaking a public action.
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