6.1 - Introduction

In this session we are looking at an area that is truly international and one that has been the focus of public and policy debates about the nature of national identity, citizenship and responsibility for those in need across borders. It is moving populations and the associated issue of finding a 'home' in another country that have lain at the heart of the emergence of discourses concerned with notions such as assimilation, integration, multi-culturalism, ethnocentricm, the interface of race, gender, class, pluralism, empowerment and the celebration of diversity.

The four countries involved in this course have histories of immigration and emigration. The legacy of colonialism moved a tide of people into Canada and Northern Europe in search of work and often a dream of a better life. Similarly people moved with similar aspirations but a different history to Canada and southern countries like Australia. Waves of populations have continued to seek sanctuary and hope as armed conflicts cause people to flee their homelands or seek out the country they had held in their minds as the 'mother' country. African nations seeking independence and turmoil in the Far East have seen an exodus whilst in recent years wars in Europe have seen a scattering of peoples across the Diaspora.

Our concern, of course is with the children within those populations and as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (1999)

Over 70% of the world's 45 million displaced and
refugees are women and children...

All four countries involved in this course are affected by this ever-moving tide of humanity over the earth's surface. Not only are the needs of displaced and transient children important to child welfare workers and therefore to this course but also by exploring the subject we may be helped in moving towards a personal and collective understanding of the nebulous concept of an international social work.

The aims of this session are to:

	highlight some of the facts and issues as they relate to moving and displaced child populations
	identify the work of different agencies concerned with the needs of refugee and displaced children
	discuss some of the reasons for the lack of stability in many children's lives
	assist in the development of a wider personal understanding of and perspective for social work with labelled, disempowered and generally marginalised and disenfranchised groups

By the end of the session it is hoped you will be more:

	aware of the prevalence and scope of displacement in child populations
	informed of the continuing infringement of a number of child and citizen rights of these children
	informed of the continuing infringement of a number of child and citizen rights of these children able to consider appropriate questions and actions when dealing with displaced children

Now go to Topic 6.2