About 30 people took part in the “Journey in Exile”, a simulation experience during which participants had to leave their country as refugees would. Each of them had to start with an identity card and a certain amount of money. Quickly, it was time to leave. Then began a series of decisions to be made.
Should I get on the bus to try to reach Mexico? Do I have to negotiate with the smuggler to cross the border? Am I settling in a refugee camp or am I trying to find a black job in a big city? Do I make my children work to get by? Am I turning around?
” It’s really an opportunity for people to really experience what it’s like to be a refugee. »
The workshop is facilitated by the Jesuit Refugee Service Canada which supports refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants arriving in the country. In 2017, its director, Norbert Piché, had the idea of setting up “A journey in Exile” to raise awareness among the host population of the issues faced by refugees.
According to him, the experience is more profitable than a speech. It’s not like listening to a speaker talk about the refugee situation. It’s something lived, which comes to get you because you are living it and you hear testimonies from real refugees.
he explains.
The facilitator adds that when we lives an experience like that, we really see it, we live it in our skin and it’s more profitable on this side
.
Nancy Marmen, who works with AIBSLparticipated in the workshop. We can put ourselves a little bit in people’s shoes, it shows us the path they go through, how difficult it is and how we wouldn’t be able, in our wadding, to get through it
admits the Rimouskoise.
We don’t realize how difficult these people are going through.
, adds one of the participants, Luc Charest. The teacher liked the experience, he who works with reception classes in which several refugees are part. We see it in the movies, but there are some for whom it’s reality
he realizes.
Rimouski, host city
In 2017, the City of Rimouski became the 14e Quebec city for welcoming refugees. For five years, the city, with the support ofAIBSLwelcomed 289 people including 105 children.
However, integration is the ultimate challenge for newcomers. According to Ana Seaton, Deputy Director ofAIBSLit’s a learning experience for the population.
” You really have to try to remove the prejudices because as soon as you hear the word refugee, you go into pity mode. »
The most important thing is to understand that it is people like you and me who had to leave their country. You have to understand that they were in danger and that it’s not their choice to come here, it’s important to understand their baggage and their incredible human strength.
summarizes the speaker.
According to the latest figures from the United Nations Agency, the number of refugees has just crossed the 100 million mark, for the first time, under the effect of the war in Ukraine in particular.
According to the MP for Rimouski-Neigette-Témiscouata-Les Basque, Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Canada must position itself as a country ready to welcome. We also have a moral duty as humans and citizens to help our neighbour, the government has a responsibility that people are welcomed safely
he says.
The elected official considers that Canada is a G7 country and that it is able to integrate refugees. And we hope that the Bas-Saint-Laurent region and the city of Rimouski will be able to welcome them
he invites.
It will be necessary to settle the file of the lack of housing to achieve this. The organism AIBSL specifies that several families have already been turned away from Rimouski, for lack of a place to house them.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca