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Who is a refugee?
“ A refugee is someone who owing to well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.” ( Australian government definition)
“A refugee is someone who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence, is unable or owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.” ( United National High Commission for Refugee (UNHCR) 1951 United Nations Convention)
There are a number of other official definitions as to the dire situation of the world’s refugees, but the bottom line is that they need urgent help. The ESL teacher often plays a part in their urgent transition to their new home.
In 1998, the UNHCR estimated their responsibility for the care od 22 million people, however, the UN estimates that some 50 million people around the world might legitimately be described as victims of forced displacement.
Australia’s Refugees
- Since 1980, refugees have made up approximately 10% 0f the total immigration intake in Australia
- Australia has settled more Vietnamese refugees than any other nation.
- Between 1947 and 1951, 170,,700 refugees arrived in Australia.
- In 1978-79 Australia took the largest number of refugees per head of population of all nations in the world.
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