The Syrian Refugee Crisis A NewToBC Presentation and Discussion November 24th, 2015 Prepared by PEERs Employment and Education Resources Inc.
ThE SyRIAN REfugEE CRISIS A NewToBC PRESENTATIoN AND DISCuSSIoN SummARy REPoRT Summary Report of Roundtable Discussion Event Overview On November 24th, NewToBC hosted a three hour presentation and discussion session focused on the Syrian refugee crisis. Nearly 100 library management and staff attended from across the InterLINK library systems. Two presentations were provided by subject areas experts: Dan Hiebert , Professor of Geography at UBC and expert in the fjeld of refugee migration and Chris Friesen , Director of Settlement at ISSofBC and the Chair the Canadian Immigrant Settlement Sector Alliance. The presentations provided: • a sense of the numbers coming • the background and context for the into BC; Syrian crisis; • an understanding of the supports • an overview of global refugee numbers they will need and what has been put and the migration of Syrian refugees; into place / what is being advocated for; and • an update on the numbers of refugees being sponsored by Canada (both • some understanding of the print, government and privately sponsored) – web and other resources available short term and long term projections; to help organizations prepare. Discussion Summary After the presentation, attendees participated in this event, the Provincial Government has funded some small group discussions focused on what libraries initiatives to support Syrian settlement. ISSofBC has can do as individual systems or branches and what received funding to develop resources and training for might InterLINK lead to support the settlement of community agencies and the province is in the process Syrian refugees. of funding fjve Refugee Response Teams (RRTs) across the province to ensure community efforts are understood, The following sections provide a summary of the communicated and coordinated. RRTs will include discussions and recommendations from the library libraries and some of the suggestions below may be round table examinations of the two questions provided undertaken and / or led by the RRTs. In order to support following Dr. Dan Hiebert and Chris Friesen’s presenta- library service and program planning and to avoid tions. The responses have been categorized into key duplication, information on these initiatives has been themes with supporting information and specifjc included in the Next Steps section of this report. suggestions listed below. Responses to Question 2 are being reviewed by the The themes and recommendations for Question 1 NewToBC Steering Committee and the project team in should not be viewed as a checklist where all of the consideration of the provincially funded initiatives. actions should be achieved, but rather as a reference The Steering Committee has identifjed some potential for individual libraries and their staff to consider and plan training and resources development activities; these localized responses. It is important to note that since have been briefmy described in the Next Steps section. 2
ThE SyRIAN REfugEE CRISIS A NewToBC PRESENTATIoN AND DISCuSSIoN SummARy REPoRT 1. What ideas do you have for your library / library system to support refugee settlement in your community(s)? A. Centralize information for Syrian refugees: “one-stop-shop” information centre where Syrian refugees and community will be able to fjnd information • Centralize info space about refugee • Develop a refugee focussed and crisis as well as information for resource guide refugees (like the Skilled Immigrant • Promote library as hub of information Info Centre) – event calendar: put opportunities in • Highlight / promote NewToBC • Add information specifjcally for material in the library refugees on website • Develop information for our community: Who are the refugees What is the political situation How is Canada responding How can individuals help What other countries are doing Refer donors B. Collaborate with immigrant service providers and community agencies • Community work (working with • Talk to the United Churches on community groups); go where they the North Shore who are are; meet them 1st sponsoring refugees • Partner with other community • Welcoming event /open house agencies / fjnancial agencies to help where community partners could refugees become aware of the share resources; would need to services offered by the library, i.e. partner with agencies; working with bank – fjnancial info. for refugees refugees to promote event • Gather and compile an information • Welcome to school in Canada (like package on how to help in welcome to kindergarten) conjunction with immigrant serving organization • Work with VSB to support school staff with resources / facilitating tour of local libraries, technology available @ VPL; Guide in Arabic C. Enhance collections to fjt needs of Syrian refugees, including collections in Arabic • Enhance Arabic collections • Promote online Arabic newspapers • Offer Arabic story times and and support refugees to fjnd / programs (possibly through MOSIAC use them or other settlement organizations) • Create human library • Showcase / promote Syrian displays • Form an advisory committee to assist and related book lists with enhancing Arabic collection 3
ThE SyRIAN REfugEE CRISIS A NewToBC PRESENTATIoN AND DISCuSSIoN SummARy REPoRT D. Leverage Library Champions program and offer more mentoring services to Syrian refugees; recruit mentors, champions or buddies to help Syrian refugees better use the services available in local libraries and community agencies • Identify Champions that speak Arabic • Identify frequent library patrons to be a • Establish mentoring program “library buddy” and welcome refugees One-on-one relationships between • Use the Library Champions in other residents and refugees programming - displays in multiple Get existing programs to discuss languages Organize town hall meeting • Organize Library Champions to give • Organize peer support groups (teens, refugees library tours seniors, etc.) with already settled • Inform refugee mentors of library immigrants (library champions) to resources; give refugees tour provide buddies, community connections etc. E. Offer information, workshops and training sessions to library staff and local residents to increas the awareness and support to Syrian refugees • Organize an information night for • Educate staff the public • Develop / support public awareness • Collect information to disseminate campaign to the public; develop info guide / sheets on how to help refugees (list of places to donate, etc.) F . Offer language support, including welcome package and signs in Arabic, translation and interpretation services • Create and post welcome signs in • Promote ESL conversation circles other languages and in Arabic using posters at refugee centres • Seek out Arabic speaking patrons to • Build and / or translate registration volunteer with refugees forms and welcome brochures in Arabic G. Reduce barriers to accessing libraries: offer transportation to libraries, accept temporary address to register for a library card, and outreach to refugee families • Organize tours for refugees in tempo- • Provide refugees with library card at rary housing – bussed to the library initial welcoming agency • Reduce barriers to getting a library • Create a standard intro card (lasts 6 card: provide a temporary card where months, 5 items max.) a permanent address is not required; • Approach new refugee families with allow an agency address to stand for children’s books (picture/wordless) an address H. Offer welcoming events and/or open house at local libraries • Organize welcoming event /open • Organize cultural event in library house where community partners with food could share resources; would need to partner with agencies; working with refugees to promote event 4
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