‘Not Just Numbers’ is a toolkit about migration and asylum in the European Union designed to help teachers and other educators to engage young people in informed discussion on this subject. It is suitable for young people between the ages of 12 and 18.

This toolkit provides young people with the opportunity to understand that behind each anonymous statistic related to migration and asylum there is a human face and a personal story.

BACKGROUND The social and political importance of migration and asylum issues has grown steadily over the past two decades, during which the world has witnessed increased worldwide movement of migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees. At the same time, problems of discrimination, xenophobia and racism have continued to surface, often causing tensions within communities.

THE OBJECTIVE As European societies become more multi-cultural, we need to raise awareness of the many reasons for which people choose or are forced to leave their own countries. This understanding can help to promote respect for diversity and encourage social cohesion. In particular, more information needs to be disseminated to young people, who are the decision makers of tomorrow, but whose opinions on migration and asylum are not always based on factual and balanced information.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Suite 4, Merrion House 1-3 Lower Fitzwilliam Street Dublin 2 Ireland phone: +353 (0) 1 6314510 e-mail: obrien@unhcr.org website: www.unhcr.ie International Oranisation for Migration (IOM) 7 Hill Street Dublin 1 Ireland phone: +353 (0) 8787900 e-mail: iomdublin@iom.int website: www.iomdublin.org

	Co-funding received from European Refugee Fund, European Return Fund and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
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