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Why Do People Migrate? Part 1: Facts
Anna-Lena Knobloch
17. Aug 2016 15:17 Uhr
Kapitel 2 › Time for new definitions?:
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`Start by reading this article and discuss in your journal how current official definitions of "migrants", "refugees" and "asylum seekers" are challenged by the on-going migration crisis at the South-East borders of Europe.
You can also see Unit 2.1 for more information about irregular migration in Mediterranean region, Unit 2.2 about EU norms on asylum seeking, and Unit 2.3 on the case of Syrian refugees.
Don't forget to have a look to what others have done in their journals!
Motivation?
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On one hand, new terms are needed to describe the situation we are facing right now. On the other hand, how could it be possible to keep those terms from being used by different sides just like the terms we have now are being used?
Politicians and the media in Germany also distinguish between Refugees and so-called economic migrants. However, economic migrants are being seen as fortune hunters who only want to exploit our social welfare system. I would say that if a person is willing to risk his/her life to travel to Europe, the reason cannot be a little more money. The reasons are probably more severe than that. What difference does it make whether you migrate because you are in fear of being prosecuted by a corrupt government or because you want to ensure that your children will live in a democratic country?
So I would vote to abandon the term "economic migrant".
