1. Clare Lyons, Friedrich Opitz, Emma Perrin, Alexandra Philipps, Kira Remy, Shayna Siegel
Human Security
in the context of the European
Refugee Dilemma
3. Project Charge
The refugee influx confronts a societal identity
crisis in the European Union by way of change in
religion, ethnicity, and culture.
Therefore, we recommend steps to ease transition
from a uniform towards more diversified social
make-ups.
4. What is Human Security?
“Human security means first safety from chronic threats like
hunger, disease and repression. Second, it means safety sudden
and hurtful disruptions in the patterns of daily life – whether in
homes, in jobs, or in communities”
(UNR, 1994)
5. What is an “Identity Crisis”?
Each individual’s identity is made up of:
● Allegiance to a religious tradition
● Nationality, Profession, Institutional allegiance,
Particular social milieu
“Identity [...] is built up and changes throughout a person’s
lifetime,” (Maalouf, A. 1996)
6. Context (Scope & Severity)
● By the numbers:
● More than 11 million people killed or forced to flee their homes
● Poor standards of refugee camps
● Outbreak of disease, poor nutrition
● Europe moving toward decreasing number of incoming refugees
● Right-wing Alternative for Germany party did better than expected
● Poland is already under a right-wing government
(BBC, 2016) (UNHCR, 2016) (The Economist, 2016)
8. Potential Solution I: No Entry
● Reduce or cease the influx of refugees entering new Member states
● Halt the diversification of European society
● Funds provided by the EU to Turkey
● Increase humanitarian standards and improve infrastructural
support in existing refugee camps
9. Potential Solution II: Informational Initiative
● Output of factual information
● Statistics on refugees and EU citizens
● Target mutual negative stigmas regarding refugee influx
● Public discourse
10. Ohio University TedX: What Islam
Means To You
● Independently organized by Kevin Brock: Junior studying geological
sciences and geographic information systems
● Panel represented Afghanistan, Indonesia, Somalia, and Tunisia
● Outcomes:
○ Open dialogue
○ Answered questions
○ Reduction of “fear of the unknown”
(The Post, 2016)
11. Potential Solution III: Media Campaign
● Utilizes conventional media outlets and social media platforms
● Newspapers, Television programs, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
● Exchange of personal narratives and address questions about
identity
● Establish empathy and transparency between current EU citizens and
incoming refugees
12. ● Firas AlShater, Syrian Actor and Jan Heilig, German
Film-maker
● Video project “Zukar”
● Platform for refugees
● Bridge gap between Germans for and against the influx of
migrants
I’m a Syrian refugee. I trust
you - do you trust me? Hug
me.
-Firas AlShater
(Zukar, 2016)
13. Recommended Solution:
New Reality Initiative
Informational Initiative
● Physical Platform
● Public Forums & Panels
● Established events
● Sports & Regional Festivities
● Integration Opportunities
● Rural area representatives
Media Campaign
● Personal Narratives
● Refugees and EU Citizens
● Social Media
● Hashtag: #MyIdentityIs
● Public Figures
● Large support network
