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Rescue: Refugees and the Political Crisis of our Time
We are in the midst of a global refugee crisis. Sixty five million people are fleeing for their lives. The choices are urgent, not just for them but for all of us. What can we possibly do to help?
With compassion and clarity, David Miliband shows why we should care and how we can make a difference. He takes us from war zones in the Middle East to peaceful suburbs in America to explain the crisis and show what can be done, not just by governments with the power to change policy but by citizens with the urge to change lives. His innovative and practical call to action shows that the crisis need not overwhelm us.
Miliband says this is a fight to uphold the best of human nature in the face of rhetoric and policy that humor the worst. He defends the international order built by western leaders out of the ashes of World War II, but says now is the time for reform. Describing his family story and drawing revealing lessons from his life in politics, David Miliband shows that if we fail refugees, then we betray our own history, values, and interests. The message is simple: rescue refugees and we rescue ourselves.
With compassion and clarity, David Miliband shows why we should care and how we can make a difference. He takes us from war zones in the Middle East to peaceful suburbs in America to explain the crisis and show what can be done, not just by governments with the power to change policy but by citizens with the urge to change lives. His innovative and practical call to action shows that the crisis need not overwhelm us.
Miliband says this is a fight to uphold the best of human nature in the face of rhetoric and policy that humor the worst. He defends the international order built by western leaders out of the ashes of World War II, but says now is the time for reform. Describing his family story and drawing revealing lessons from his life in politics, David Miliband shows that if we fail refugees, then we betray our own history, values, and interests. The message is simple: rescue refugees and we rescue ourselves.
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Published November 14, 2017
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March 26, 2020
كان الكاتب لفترة طويلة أحد السياسيين البريطانيين الهامين بإدارة وحزب توني بلير، وشغل عدة مناصب خلال أكثر من عشر سنوات منها أنه كان عضوا بالبرلمان وأخذ أكثر من حقيبة وزارية، قبل أن يتفرغ تماما ليكون رئيس لجنة الإنقاذ الدولية لعدة سنوات.
بالنسبة للكاتب، فحل مسألة اللجوء ليس بإصلاح سياسة الاستجابة لها فقط، وإنما بإصلاح السياسات التي أدت الى الأزمات والحروب التي سببت اللجوء، يعود الكاتب على طول الكتاب أكثر من مرة لذكر خطيئته بأنه كان أحد من وافقوا -من بين غيره من أعضاء حزبه- على مشاركة بريطانيا في حرب العراق، وتخيم هذه الفكرة على أي معالجة سياسية تخطر بباله لأي قضية أو حرب أدت إلى لجوء، وعندما يذكر سوريا، يعود لذكر خطيئة بريطانيا في العراق مرة أخرى، وأن حرب قوات التحالف في العراق هي أحد أسباب ما وصلت إليه سوريا.
بالنسبة للكاتب فالمشكلات الدولية التي أدت إلى اللجوء تتطلب تغييرات في السياسات بحيث تمنع أسباب حدوثها، وربما تدخلا عسكريا، ولكن ذلك يجب أن يرافقه هدف سياسي واضح منظور وليس مجرد تدخل عسكري بحت للسيطرة على الاراضي كما حدث بداية في حرب أفغانستان، يؤمن الكاتب بأن أي حرب أهلية تشتعل لا بد إلا أن تترك آثارا عميقة لا تؤدي إلا إلى المزيد من الحروب الاهلية التي تخلفها، وأن أفضل حل للحروب الأهلية هي طاولة المفاوضات.
بالنسبة للكاتب فالاستجابة المناسبة لأزمة اللاجئين بفتح الابواب لهم وإعطاءهم فرصة لحياة أفضل هي قضية هامة استراتيجيا لأوروبا، فالتغاضي أو إهمال أو الإساءة إلى اللاجئين سيزيد من عمق الخلاف الغربي-الإسلامي وهو ما سيؤذي الدول الغربية بحد ذاتها، بالإضافة لأنه سيعزز من الاعتقاد الخاطئ بوجود صراع بين الحضارات، يقول الكاتب أنه معظم ضحايا الإرهاب هم مسلمون، ورغم أن بعض الأزمات التي قادت للجوء تعود إلى الخلاف حول من يمثل الإسلام السنة أم الشيعة، أو من يمثل الإسلام ضمن السنة أنفسهم إلا أن كل هذا في النهاية ينعكس على الغرب، فالغرب معني بهذه الخلافات العميقة السنية السنية أو السنية الشيعة إذا ما أراد حل قضية اللجوء. رغم وضول الكاتب لهذه النتيجة فإنه يطرح بالنهاية أسئلة أو تحديات أكثر بكثير من طرحه لأجوبة.
تطرح قضية اللاجئين بالنسبة للكاتب سؤال القيم التي قامت عليها شرعية الدول بعد الحرب العالمية الثانية، فرفض اللاجئين أو اعتبارهم غرباء يسيء قبل كل شيء للأساس القيمي الذي صيغت على أساسه الاتفاقيات بين هذه الدول بعد الحرب العالمية الثانية، ويشمل ذلك كل ما يتعلق بحقوق الإنسان وحماية اللاجئين وإيوائهم، والتي كانت نتيجة إدراك الدول آنذاك لخطيئة التأخر في الاستجابة لمعاناة ضحايا الحرب العالمية من اليهود وغيرهم وتركهم للإبادة الجماعية، والتقاعس في قبول لاجئيهم. ينتقد الكاتب بشدة شعبوية ترامب ويناقش كيف لها أن تؤدي لنتائج سيئة على كل دول العالم وعلى النظام العالمي، ويناقش كيف يمكن لرفض اللاجئين أن يخل بالنظام العالمي ككل.
ثم يتحدث الكاتب عن وجهة نظره تجاه قضايا تخص مشاكل اللاجئين، يؤمن الكاتب بضرورة زيادة الإنفاق على التعليم من مجموع التبرعات للاجئين، وبالسعي لإيجاد فرص العمل للاجئين، وإعطاء اللاجئين رواتب عوضا عن المساعدات، وحماية الأطفال والنساء من التعنيف، ويناقش ضرورة توسيع برنامج إعادة توطين اللاجئين من خلال الطلبات المقدمة للأمم المتحدة وبحق كل لاجئ بتقرير الدولة التي يريد اللجوء إليها في أوروبا وعدم إجباره على اللجوء في الدولة الأولى التي تجاوز عندها الحدود، وبأن على كل دول أوروبا تقاسم عبء اللجوء من خلال النفقات ومن خلال توزيع اللاجئين فيما بينها.
بالنسبة للكاتب، فحل مسألة اللجوء ليس بإصلاح سياسة الاستجابة لها فقط، وإنما بإصلاح السياسات التي أدت الى الأزمات والحروب التي سببت اللجوء، يعود الكاتب على طول الكتاب أكثر من مرة لذكر خطيئته بأنه كان أحد من وافقوا -من بين غيره من أعضاء حزبه- على مشاركة بريطانيا في حرب العراق، وتخيم هذه الفكرة على أي معالجة سياسية تخطر بباله لأي قضية أو حرب أدت إلى لجوء، وعندما يذكر سوريا، يعود لذكر خطيئة بريطانيا في العراق مرة أخرى، وأن حرب قوات التحالف في العراق هي أحد أسباب ما وصلت إليه سوريا.
بالنسبة للكاتب فالمشكلات الدولية التي أدت إلى اللجوء تتطلب تغييرات في السياسات بحيث تمنع أسباب حدوثها، وربما تدخلا عسكريا، ولكن ذلك يجب أن يرافقه هدف سياسي واضح منظور وليس مجرد تدخل عسكري بحت للسيطرة على الاراضي كما حدث بداية في حرب أفغانستان، يؤمن الكاتب بأن أي حرب أهلية تشتعل لا بد إلا أن تترك آثارا عميقة لا تؤدي إلا إلى المزيد من الحروب الاهلية التي تخلفها، وأن أفضل حل للحروب الأهلية هي طاولة المفاوضات.
بالنسبة للكاتب فالاستجابة المناسبة لأزمة اللاجئين بفتح الابواب لهم وإعطاءهم فرصة لحياة أفضل هي قضية هامة استراتيجيا لأوروبا، فالتغاضي أو إهمال أو الإساءة إلى اللاجئين سيزيد من عمق الخلاف الغربي-الإسلامي وهو ما سيؤذي الدول الغربية بحد ذاتها، بالإضافة لأنه سيعزز من الاعتقاد الخاطئ بوجود صراع بين الحضارات، يقول الكاتب أنه معظم ضحايا الإرهاب هم مسلمون، ورغم أن بعض الأزمات التي قادت للجوء تعود إلى الخلاف حول من يمثل الإسلام السنة أم الشيعة، أو من يمثل الإسلام ضمن السنة أنفسهم إلا أن كل هذا في النهاية ينعكس على الغرب، فالغرب معني بهذه الخلافات العميقة السنية السنية أو السنية الشيعة إذا ما أراد حل قضية اللجوء. رغم وضول الكاتب لهذه النتيجة فإنه يطرح بالنهاية أسئلة أو تحديات أكثر بكثير من طرحه لأجوبة.
تطرح قضية اللاجئين بالنسبة للكاتب سؤال القيم التي قامت عليها شرعية الدول بعد الحرب العالمية الثانية، فرفض اللاجئين أو اعتبارهم غرباء يسيء قبل كل شيء للأساس القيمي الذي صيغت على أساسه الاتفاقيات بين هذه الدول بعد الحرب العالمية الثانية، ويشمل ذلك كل ما يتعلق بحقوق الإنسان وحماية اللاجئين وإيوائهم، والتي كانت نتيجة إدراك الدول آنذاك لخطيئة التأخر في الاستجابة لمعاناة ضحايا الحرب العالمية من اليهود وغيرهم وتركهم للإبادة الجماعية، والتقاعس في قبول لاجئيهم. ينتقد الكاتب بشدة شعبوية ترامب ويناقش كيف لها أن تؤدي لنتائج سيئة على كل دول العالم وعلى النظام العالمي، ويناقش كيف يمكن لرفض اللاجئين أن يخل بالنظام العالمي ككل.
ثم يتحدث الكاتب عن وجهة نظره تجاه قضايا تخص مشاكل اللاجئين، يؤمن الكاتب بضرورة زيادة الإنفاق على التعليم من مجموع التبرعات للاجئين، وبالسعي لإيجاد فرص العمل للاجئين، وإعطاء اللاجئين رواتب عوضا عن المساعدات، وحماية الأطفال والنساء من التعنيف، ويناقش ضرورة توسيع برنامج إعادة توطين اللاجئين من خلال الطلبات المقدمة للأمم المتحدة وبحق كل لاجئ بتقرير الدولة التي يريد اللجوء إليها في أوروبا وعدم إجباره على اللجوء في الدولة الأولى التي تجاوز عندها الحدود، وبأن على كل دول أوروبا تقاسم عبء اللجوء من خلال النفقات ومن خلال توزيع اللاجئين فيما بينها.
May 28, 2018
For being a short book, much of its content was what I would consider fluff. A fundamental problem with this book is it could not make up its mind about the target audience for its call to action. Policy makers / UN ambassadors? Average US citizens who are pro-refugees? Average US citizens who are anti-immigration?
As a US citizen who supports refugees, the best part for me was in the final chapter, where Miliband switched from policy recommendations and macro focus to paragraphs like this:
"There are many ways for people to make their humanity count. We must start with the refugees who arrive in OUR [emphasis mine] communities. They need your local knowledge-of everything from how the bus system works to where to find a doctor. They need your language skills-to practice and become proficient. [Note: I stopped at this point and placed a call to follow up on my application to volunteer in a local ESL teaching organization!! Thanks Miliband] They need your networks-to help find a job. They need support for their kids-befriending your children and adjusting to a new life. They need in-kind help- clothing, furniture, home goods-because they arrive with debts, not money. There is nothing like an invitation to your home [...] Refugees will warm to an invitation from your church, synagogue, temple, or mosque."
Show me a book where every page is as concrete and relevant to my life as this, and I'll give it a 6/5!!
As a US citizen who supports refugees, the best part for me was in the final chapter, where Miliband switched from policy recommendations and macro focus to paragraphs like this:
"There are many ways for people to make their humanity count. We must start with the refugees who arrive in OUR [emphasis mine] communities. They need your local knowledge-of everything from how the bus system works to where to find a doctor. They need your language skills-to practice and become proficient. [Note: I stopped at this point and placed a call to follow up on my application to volunteer in a local ESL teaching organization!! Thanks Miliband] They need your networks-to help find a job. They need support for their kids-befriending your children and adjusting to a new life. They need in-kind help- clothing, furniture, home goods-because they arrive with debts, not money. There is nothing like an invitation to your home [...] Refugees will warm to an invitation from your church, synagogue, temple, or mosque."
Show me a book where every page is as concrete and relevant to my life as this, and I'll give it a 6/5!!
February 26, 2018
A short and important book that puts the refugee crisis in perspective.
David Milliband the CEO and president of the International Rescue Committee in New York underscores individual and institutional responsibility towards the refugees and argues against policies that vilify them. He states that blurring the distinctions between immigrant and refugees in populist narrative is a symptom of global societies' failing moral standards and a betrayal to the Declaration of Human Rights.
The book needs to be listened to carefully for its many statistical facts that show where the refugee crisis are more prominent and explains the different refugee types and their vetting process and the challenges associated with welcoming them. This all spoken from the author's heartfelt identification with the refugees as a descendant of Jewish refugees in Britain.
David Milliband the CEO and president of the International Rescue Committee in New York underscores individual and institutional responsibility towards the refugees and argues against policies that vilify them. He states that blurring the distinctions between immigrant and refugees in populist narrative is a symptom of global societies' failing moral standards and a betrayal to the Declaration of Human Rights.
The book needs to be listened to carefully for its many statistical facts that show where the refugee crisis are more prominent and explains the different refugee types and their vetting process and the challenges associated with welcoming them. This all spoken from the author's heartfelt identification with the refugees as a descendant of Jewish refugees in Britain.
October 24, 2018
David Miliband, the author, has once held the post of Britain’s foreign secretary and now heads the International Rescue Committee, a New York-based NGO that provides relief to refugees and resettles displaced people. This book hits home for me as I too advocate and feel deeply for many of the topics mentioned in the book. Battling against stereotypical images of refugees and portrayal of refugee people in media is largely negative. This plays a huge role in shaping public sentiment towards refugees.
A very important example is the word "flooding" with respect to the inflow of refugee asylum seekers. Flooding is associated with something inherently poisonous and damaging. It’s a dehumanizing metaphor that turns vulnerable people’s lives into a destructive elemental force.
A very important example is the word "flooding" with respect to the inflow of refugee asylum seekers. Flooding is associated with something inherently poisonous and damaging. It’s a dehumanizing metaphor that turns vulnerable people’s lives into a destructive elemental force.
January 17, 2018
Short and sweet, Rescue is effective in highlighting the magnitude of the refugee crisis. The book isn't incredibly content heavy; it reads more like an extended speech that Miliband is giving as opposed to a policy discussion. Would have liked to hear more about what the IRC does or more concrete solutions to help refugees.
December 12, 2017
As Foreign Secretary in Gordon Brown's government, David Miliband was an atypical chief diplomat, especially by introducing social media into the daily life of foreign service, a domain that is usually very reluctant when it comes to transparency and public exposure.
After finishing his mandate and losing the political battle in his own Labour party against his brother, Ed, he is currently the CEO of the US-based International Rescue Committee (IRC). In this quality, he become acquainted with the refugee crisis in the Middle East and often visited the various conflict areas in Africa. Out of around 25 million official refugees and asylum seekers in the world, only 4 million of them are in camps which creates a need for offering support, especially at the policy level for those seeking a new citizenship status.
His experiences and warnings in this respect are the subject of a book recently published: Rescue. Refugees and the Political Crisis of Our Time, which outlines pretty accurately the main challenges and reform directions in this field. Easy to read and appealing to a diverse public, the book is especially recommended to anyone interested to get an idea about the problem, but further development and references are more than necessary. It outlines the historical processes and the need to have a coherent response to populism, but equally a bussiness mindset aimed at obtaining adequate funding. 'Support for refugees is not only about high ideals and global leadership. One of the complex challenges for countries in this crisis centers around responsibility'. The more countries, institutions and individuals are involved the better for offering a proper answer to the current crisis and challenges, shaped not only by political circumstances, but equally by social and human responsibility.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
After finishing his mandate and losing the political battle in his own Labour party against his brother, Ed, he is currently the CEO of the US-based International Rescue Committee (IRC). In this quality, he become acquainted with the refugee crisis in the Middle East and often visited the various conflict areas in Africa. Out of around 25 million official refugees and asylum seekers in the world, only 4 million of them are in camps which creates a need for offering support, especially at the policy level for those seeking a new citizenship status.
His experiences and warnings in this respect are the subject of a book recently published: Rescue. Refugees and the Political Crisis of Our Time, which outlines pretty accurately the main challenges and reform directions in this field. Easy to read and appealing to a diverse public, the book is especially recommended to anyone interested to get an idea about the problem, but further development and references are more than necessary. It outlines the historical processes and the need to have a coherent response to populism, but equally a bussiness mindset aimed at obtaining adequate funding. 'Support for refugees is not only about high ideals and global leadership. One of the complex challenges for countries in this crisis centers around responsibility'. The more countries, institutions and individuals are involved the better for offering a proper answer to the current crisis and challenges, shaped not only by political circumstances, but equally by social and human responsibility.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
October 31, 2017
Rescue is a passionate plea for the world to aid refugees, whose number has increased to the point where the word 'crisis' might not be too extreme. The author, David Miliband, is now head of the International Rescue Committee (IRC). He had been Foreign Secretary in Tony Blair's government. But he is also the child of refugees and intersperses his plea with parts of the story of his parents and his own experience in politics.
His argument, expanded from a TED talk he gave, will not convince those adamantly opposed to giving succor or asylum to those who have fled misfortune and oppression in their homelands, but will inform anyone inclined to help. The chapter on how to improve the way assistance is given is enlightening. Among other things, Miliband argues for direct outlays of cash as a way to foster independence rather than trap refugees in camps.
Miliband invites the readers to join him in his work for refugees. If you read his book, you might find that invitation compelling.
His argument, expanded from a TED talk he gave, will not convince those adamantly opposed to giving succor or asylum to those who have fled misfortune and oppression in their homelands, but will inform anyone inclined to help. The chapter on how to improve the way assistance is given is enlightening. Among other things, Miliband argues for direct outlays of cash as a way to foster independence rather than trap refugees in camps.
Miliband invites the readers to join him in his work for refugees. If you read his book, you might find that invitation compelling.
July 3, 2019
The first of the 'Ted 30' books I have read. I must say that I was expecting more. It's short, there are only 120 pages. It's fairly basic and feels like a piece of politico rather than an educational read. It's fighting for the right cause, but it's not a great book.
Summary: Hi I'm David Miliband, I'm an immigrant's son cum UK politician. I got a job at the Red Cross/Crescent and didn't know much about them. Here's what I've learned. Sorry about Iraq. 1951 Resolution on Refugees and the 1967 Protocol. The Atlantic Charter was the birth certificate of the west. People know themselves best. Let's make a new Marshall Plan for refugees. Integration is the responsibility of everyone. Invite your neighbour over for a cup of tea.
Like I said. It's fighting the good fight and may be an eye opener for those unversed on the topic. But it is not great and it scratches the surface. Maybe my expectations were too high.
Summary: Hi I'm David Miliband, I'm an immigrant's son cum UK politician. I got a job at the Red Cross/Crescent and didn't know much about them. Here's what I've learned. Sorry about Iraq. 1951 Resolution on Refugees and the 1967 Protocol. The Atlantic Charter was the birth certificate of the west. People know themselves best. Let's make a new Marshall Plan for refugees. Integration is the responsibility of everyone. Invite your neighbour over for a cup of tea.
Like I said. It's fighting the good fight and may be an eye opener for those unversed on the topic. But it is not great and it scratches the surface. Maybe my expectations were too high.
February 27, 2018
neoliberal rubbish. New Labour wasn't Torry lite! Now, let's us all use capitalism, NGOs and avoid democracy as much as possible to patch the damage our terrorism and evil does and make a profit while we're at it!
How about we stop invading, undermining or terrorising foreign nations? How about we do something about climate change instead of things like Paris which are, in essence, lies. Iraq was a mistake? No it was deliberate, a war of aggression no better than Hitler and Poland, and both you and the US put people that pointed that out in prison.
How about we stop invading, undermining or terrorising foreign nations? How about we do something about climate change instead of things like Paris which are, in essence, lies. Iraq was a mistake? No it was deliberate, a war of aggression no better than Hitler and Poland, and both you and the US put people that pointed that out in prison.
January 29, 2021
if i had my own bookstore - I would put this book on the 'must read' shelf.
its short, its informative, it gives you just the right amount of information to begin to understand this global (!) problem of refugees migration.
“Together the top ten refugee-hosting countries account for only 2.5 percent of global income. 5 They are poor or at best middle-income countries. Turkey has 2.9 million registered refugees; Pakistan, 1.4 million; Lebanon, 1 million; Iran and Uganda, around 1 million apiece; Ethiopia, 0.8 million; and so on. 6 In Lebanon one in four people is a refugee from Syria, Palestine, or Iraq. 7 This is the reality of the global refugee crisis today: it is concentrated in the poorer parts of the world. Europe, accounting for more than 20 percent of global income, has 11 percent of the world’s refugees. The United States, with 25 percent of global income, has 1 percent of the world’s refugees. 8”
its short, its informative, it gives you just the right amount of information to begin to understand this global (!) problem of refugees migration.
“Together the top ten refugee-hosting countries account for only 2.5 percent of global income. 5 They are poor or at best middle-income countries. Turkey has 2.9 million registered refugees; Pakistan, 1.4 million; Lebanon, 1 million; Iran and Uganda, around 1 million apiece; Ethiopia, 0.8 million; and so on. 6 In Lebanon one in four people is a refugee from Syria, Palestine, or Iraq. 7 This is the reality of the global refugee crisis today: it is concentrated in the poorer parts of the world. Europe, accounting for more than 20 percent of global income, has 11 percent of the world’s refugees. The United States, with 25 percent of global income, has 1 percent of the world’s refugees. 8”
January 24, 2020
The refugee crisis is one of the greatest crisis we face today. There are over 60 million displaced people, a third of which have had to cross a border where they can be officially named as refugees. The crisis is deepened by the effect of many countries closing their borders. This book is written by David Milliband, the director of IRC, international refugee committee. IRC is the largest refugee resettlement organization in the world. So he speaks from both his compassion and his deep experience helping others. There are solutions but it will take a cooperative humanitarian effort to do so. David Miliband sets the foundation for that.
October 9, 2020
Having spent time working with refugees, this is a topic close to my heart. However, the writing was sooooooo dry. It felt like marketing copy for a website. I had to put it down. I think Miliband could have used a co-author to help him with "show, don't tell."
I'm not sure who the audience is for this book. People who already believe that refugees are one of the most important political crises of our time? For them, it's a long-winded preaching to the choir. People who aren't yet convinced? Well, they're not going to pick up a book about it. Better to persuade and inspire people through movie documentaries, I think.
I'm not sure who the audience is for this book. People who already believe that refugees are one of the most important political crises of our time? For them, it's a long-winded preaching to the choir. People who aren't yet convinced? Well, they're not going to pick up a book about it. Better to persuade and inspire people through movie documentaries, I think.
February 15, 2019
It's a pretty good summary of the current state of things and Miliband does a very sharp analysis of the most recent historical events, as well as at identifying the current challenges.
He won't dive too deep into any of these topics but I also think that isn't the intent of this book.
I would recommend this read to almost everybody because it presents a very quick read on such a pertinent topic and it has a tone of sources in case you want to use it as a starting point to continuing exploring.
He won't dive too deep into any of these topics but I also think that isn't the intent of this book.
I would recommend this read to almost everybody because it presents a very quick read on such a pertinent topic and it has a tone of sources in case you want to use it as a starting point to continuing exploring.
November 30, 2017
I found this book somewhat on accident and am so glad that I decided to read it. This book helped me understand the ongoing "Refugee Crisis" by defining what a refugee is and what refugees need to integrate into everyday life. The first part of the book David Miliband, the author, talks about his background. That was less interesting to me, but read until the end and you won't regret it. It's a book I wish everyone would read!
January 28, 2018
Thought provoking examination of the global refugee crisis and a roadmap for how to consider their productive integration into society. Miliband weaves his own story into the mix as a parallel to the flight of refugees from Syria and other areas of recent strife. I think he does gloss over some large issues like employment pressure on lower wage working native citizens but a good quick read for a fun debate in the pub, a classroom or the halls of Congress.
March 9, 2018
If you don't have a background in migration studies or international aid this book is probably quite interesting, but I found a lot of this book was facts and figures I have heard a thousand times before or explaining in quite basic terms why aid is necessary. There are parts about his previous life in politics and early life which were interesting but just felt it overall lacked any insightful commentary on the state of international aid and its response to 'the refugee crisis'.
August 31, 2019
Took it out from the library, written by the current President and CEO of the IRC. Just over 100 pages, learned a lot about the current state of the IRC. Learned the distinction between gaining asylum through refugee resettlement (where you apply for asylum from afar and then are accepted to enter a country) and asylum (where you seek refuge at the border or within a country that is a signatory to the UN Refugee accords)
May 1, 2021
It is definitely a short book about a topic that could be expanded on but I think this book does a good job of introducing a conversation and thought process about refugees. I think it gives a lot of good groundwork and it is a very topic especially considering modern events. I would recommend this book especially if you want to become informed on refugees, then I think this book is a good starting point.
March 18, 2018
A powerful explanation of our refugee crisis and how we can and should help our fellow human beings. A thought provoking book written by the president and CEO of International Rescue Commitee (IRC). As the book says "refugees are victims of terror, not terrorists themselves." Thank you Goodreads Giveaway for a necessary and important book.
July 24, 2018
This book is well thought out and very informative of the issues concerning refugees. I want to reread it to keep gaining a better understanding of how refugees stand politically, economically, and environmentally. It's a great resource for anyone who is concerned about immigration issues and refugees.
September 11, 2020
In 1980, when Congress passed the Refugee Act with bipartisan support, President Carter’s secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, Joseph A. Califano Jr., said the refugee issue required the United States to “reveal to the world — and more important to ourselves — whether we truly live by our ideals or simply carve them on our monuments.”
So what will we be?
So what will we be?
January 25, 2021
David Miliband is my hero. I love this book, and everything he writes about concerning migrants and the world's response. He explains the refugee crisis post-WW2, and the increasingly complex and difficult situation until today. Miliband offers hope, and writes persuasively why the world needs to do a better job. The book is a quick read, and it is filled with lots of good resources for learning more about and ways to help refugees.
March 14, 2018
This short read is a great reminder that we should feel obligated as individuals and as countries to start making changes and moving in a direction to help the refugee crisis worldwide. It is not just a news story that will quickly fade. This is a growing and ongoing problem all over the globe.
April 15, 2019
Perhaps a good primer for those who have no familiarity with the current refugee crisis. There are some up to date statistics but overall lacking a little. The last chapter focuses on some practical ways to help.
May 21, 2020
A good read
Made sophisticated ideas easy to grasp. Fantastic book. Well organized and the flow of the ideas makes this book a must read for anyone who wants to make our world a better place.
Made sophisticated ideas easy to grasp. Fantastic book. Well organized and the flow of the ideas makes this book a must read for anyone who wants to make our world a better place.
July 5, 2023
A short, thoughtful little book about refugees, how to support them, and the socioeconomic requirements for refugee thriving. As the child of refugees from the Vietnam War, I felt deeply the moral necessity of many of the subjects discussed in this book.
November 12, 2017
Ideas worth spreading!
January 29, 2018
Excellent book. An easy read although a hard-hitting topic. Really clearly explained and even with some help on what an individual can do to help.
May 4, 2018
Wonderful overview of the issues surrounding refugee relocation and the responsibilities we have in supporting these people.
December 25, 2018
A decent overview of the current scope of the refugee crisis as of 2017, defense of Miliband's time in government, and establishes common parlance with which to discuss the refugee crisis.
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