Content for this page has been updated through October 2020. This site is currently under construction.
Introduction
Launched in 2020, the Global Refugee Crisis site explores foundational knowledge on refugee research, crises and migration discourse worldwide. We hope to increase understanding of forced displacement causes and effects through featuring informed voices, shared digital resources, events, classroom activities and lectures.
About the K-12 Summer Institute
The Center for Middle East Studies (CMES), East Asia Center (EAS), Latin American Studies Program (LAIS) and the California Global Education Project (CGEP) hosted this year’s first Summer Institute for K-12 Californian educators: “Displaced: Exploring the refugee crisis in the K-12 classroom.”
Our 4-day virtual event held August 3-6, 2020, heard from scholarly experts, refugee panelists and aid professionals about what drives today’s refugee crises. This year’s talks and activities focused in on U.S. and international refugee policy, critically conscious pedagogy, the dangers of a single narrative and using related migrant literature to engage youth on refugee topics in the classroom. Learn more about our event below.


Our Sponsor
Learn more about our sponsor, the California Global Education Project (CGEP), global competency indicators and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) below
Recorded August 3, 2020. CMES Summer Institute Speaker Emily M. Schell, E.D. on teaching with Global Competency Indicators and CGEP overview.
About CGEP
Learn more about the California Global Education Project’s (CGEP) vision to bring global citizenship into K-12 curriculum
About the SDGs
Find out about the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and resources to bring into the classroom
Introduction to the Global Refugee Crisis
Recorded August 3, 2020. CMES Summer Institute Speaker Professor Alison Brysk on defining displacement terms, drivers and patterns.
Primary Readings
Explore introductory material on key terminology, K-12 learning activities and more on refugees and displacement from this year’s speakers
Deep Dive
Dive deeper into migration topics with additional virtual resources, including K-12 friendly books, articles, podcasts and much more
Stories from the Middle East
Recorded August 4, 2020. CMES Summer Institute Speaker Dr. Tamara Afifi on Uncertainty and Stress for Palestinian refugee in Lebanon.
Deep Dive
Dive deeper into migration in the Middle East with additional virtual resources, including K-12 friendly books, articles, podcasts and much more
Stories from the Americas
Recorded August 6, 2020. CMES Summer Institute Speaker Gerardo Rodriguez Solis on displacement in Mexico today and how recent U.S. policies have increased hostility against Mexicans.
Recorded August 5, 2020. CMES Summer Institute Speaker Gabrielle Birog on overview of deinstitutionalizing mental illness in the context of U.S. health systems and care methods.
Deep Dive
Dive deeper into migration in the Americas with additional virtual resources, including K-12 friendly books, articles, podcasts and much more
Refugee Voices
Recorded August 5, 2020. CMES Summer Institute Speaker Hsar ReeRee Wei shares her personal account of being a Karen refugee and experiences resettling in the U.S.
Recorded August 5, 2020. CMES Summer Institute Speaker Anas AlChalabi on K-12 education for refugee youth and impact of these programs in the U.S. and beyond.
Deep Dive Materials
Dive deeper into refugee-specific learning materials, shared stories and more with virtual resources, including K-12 friendly books, articles, podcasts and related websites
Recorded August 5, 2020. CMES Summer Institute Speaker Katalina Vang on being the child of Hmong refugees and related research.
Humanitarian Aid Voices
Recorded August 3, 2020. CMES Summer Institute’s Humanitarian Panelists share their work and advice on assisting refugees within and outside of the U.S.
Recorded August 6, 2020. CMES Summer Institute Speakers Katie-Jay Scott and Danielle Kercher share their humanitarian approach at iACT and importance of trauma-informed aid.
Deep Dive Materials
Dive deeper into humanitarian aid practices and refugee relief information with virtual resources, including K-12 friendly books, articles, podcasts and much more
Recorded August 5, 2020. CMES Summer Institute Speakers Katie-Jay Scott and Danielle Kercher address the importance of fighting dangerous speech and the role hate speech plays in violence.
Lesson Plans
K | Exploring Past and present through pictures and storytelling
3-6 | Taking a global view to encourage student agency
6 | Learn about classrooms across the world
9-10 English ALD | Our Lives and Our Stories
10 World History | India and Pakistan Separation
10 World History | Stories of Movement and Migration
11 History | Revealing Hidden Histories