World Economic Forum participants shouted at, ordered around like refugees

[webfact]

World Economic Forum participants shouted at, ordered around like refugees



"Put your hands against the wall!"

DAVOS: -- A small window into a global humanitarian crisis, the ‘Day in the Life of a Refugee’ experience at Davos gives delegates a chance to stand in the shoes of a displaced person.

The hour-long simulation run by the Crossroads Foundation has former refugees and NGO workers act as soldiers and camp bosses. The UN says the number of displaced people worldwide jumped to nearly 60 million last year, much of that increase due to the conflict in Syria.

Our correspondent Sarah Chappell points out: “More than a million migrants and refugees arrived in Europe last year; as yet, there are no signs that 2016 will see a reduction in numbers.”

Divisions have been widening within the EU over how to handle the crisis, and over the number of arrivals that European countries can absorb.

The head of Oxfam, Winnie Byanyima, says Europe cannot turn them away: “I think European countries need to be encouraged to do more to step up to their international responsibilities towards refugees, and to recognise that they are part of the problem at source.”

International Crisis Group President Jean-Marie Guehenno feels that Europe’s challenge is likely to get harder before it gets better for as long as the causes of the migration crisis remain unresolved: “I think Europe has to see big movements of populations as a lasting feature, and for that it needs to have real, structural policies and go beyond improvised emergency responses.”

Many activists, politicians and commentators seem to agree with German President Joachim Gauck, who has said: “No other problem has divided and jeopardised the EU more than the refugee problem.”

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-01-22

[shirtless]

Who pays for this stupidity.

[NeverSure]

I'm really glad I got to see Europe while it was still Europe.

[craigt3365]

Perhaps focus on the source of the problem. Wars in various countries. Stopping the shipment of arms into these countries would really help. Oh yeah, that was vetoed by a few countries several years ago.

[NeverSure]

Actually almost exclusively when I see these people with weapons they are comblock weapons. Kalashnikov rifles would be from somewhere like Russia or China or E. Europe... Somehow they are getting ammo for those things and that wouldn't be from the West.

[simple1]

Perhaps focus on the source of the problem. Wars in various countries. Stopping the shipment of arms into these countries would really help. Oh yeah, that was vetoed by a few countries several years ago.

IMO equally 'at fault' is the unbelievable complacency of many currently affected Western countries ignoring the writing on the wall in recent years by not providing sufficient funding & resources to countries massively impacted by refugees such as Iran, Pakistan, Turkey etc. By way of example organisations supporting refugees in Lebanon are only receiving one Lebanese pound a day for each refugee. Yes, EU & other countries need to get their collaborative act together, unfortunately countries are being pushed by the political right to solely act in nationalist self interest, rather than the bigger picture, thereby exacerbating current challenges.

[Andaman Al]

Simulation and exercises can be very useful, but if the 'delegates' would not be wearing their top end life jackets they could have got another 15 people in the boat and I wonder if they were starved of food for a week and had no fresh drinking water for three days before they started the 'exercise'. The refugee crisis can ONLY be solved by restoring order in that chaos that was once their home land.

[craigt3365]

It's really sad when the West could have done something good...but due to bickering, politics, ineffective UN, etc....poor people suffer. I can't imagine what they have to go through. Terrible.

[ggt]

OMG did someone shout at a refugee? How awful...don't they know that only a small percentage of refugees are criminals, terrorists, rapists, and carry incurable diseases? The future of Europe will one day be determined by people who were once refugees...best to find a way to assimilate them into the country's culture...least they destroy all evidence of the former civilization who welcomed them into their homes...

[Usernames]

When are they going to stand in the shoes of the citizens of the countries they come from?

[Chicog]

Who pays for this stupidity.

They do. At $27K a head.

[wabothai]

I'm really glad I got to see Europe while it was still Europe.

Yeah, I want my country back. Time for some mass disobedience.

[Baerboxer]

Who pays for this stupidity.

We do of course. Tax payers - the Sheeple of the elite.

[Baerboxer]

Who pays for this stupidity.

They do. At $27K a head.

Comes out their own pockets does it

[Baerboxer]

Simulation and exercises can be very useful, but if the 'delegates' would not be wearing their top end life jackets they could have got another 15 people in the boat and I wonder if they were starved of food for a week and had no fresh drinking water for three days before they started the 'exercise'. The refugee crisis can ONLY be solved by restoring order in that chaos that was once their home land.

Wonder if they'll do another "simulation" where male delegates are dressed as police and border guards and then attacked and assaulted; and female delegates are groped and go through gang rape scenarios whilst migrants shout about their rights to money, housing, money, food, money, education, money, healthcare, money, human rights and freedom of religion which must be respected by all?

[Chicog]

Who pays for this stupidity.

They do. At $27K a head.

Comes out their own pockets does it

Probably on their exes!

[Krataiboy]

Instead of "standing in the shoes" of refugees for a few minutes, why don't these Davos delegates each invite a few refugees to stay in their homes. Judging by the attendance at this incredibly costly, time-wasting public relations exercise, it would be problem solved.