This document discusses refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). It defines a refugee as someone outside their country of nationality due to fear of persecution. There are currently 11.5 million refugees worldwide. IDPs are unable to leave their country but cannot access protection services. There are 25 million IDPs facing an uncertain future. Canada accepts around 25,000 refugees per year and the US accepts around 75,000. Emerging issues impacting refugees include increasing populations, conflicts over land and resources, poverty, and tensions leading to more displacement as less developed countries become reluctant to accept refugees. Forced displacement can perpetuate political instability.