SPQR, the notion that people continue to be branded as 'refugees' well after they have entered society is half the problem. They are not, nor should be, considered in this way. They become citizens and SHOULD be given the same rights, the same woes, the same opportunities, the same privileges and the same treatment under law as anyone else.

If, under a properly structured integration program (which I stress also helps existing citizens, currently unemployed or otherwise) whereby they integrate as they 'give', in terms of labour or skills, then they are better placed once 'processed and approved' to move into society.

Please don't misunderstand or misinterpret my motives in suggesting this. I am not saying let's favor refugees over and above existing citizens. I am suggesting that we work together to make much needed improvements that will last and continue to grow for generations. It is only fear and the thought of actually having to put in effort rather than just money into finding a better solution that holds us back.

And I am not so naive as to think there would be more than a single digit percentage of people who would agree with me. It's just that I would rather we actually came up with some NEW ideas, rather than just rehashing and relocating old and failed ones.

scribbler,

"....I would rather we actually came up with some NEW ideas, rather than rehashing and relocating old and failed ones."

What a good idea.....however, I'm afraid it would be a novel approach on OLO and most forums. What actually happens is that usually someone brings up a controversial subject. Supporters and detractors climb on-board and we have a rhetorical bun-fight. We all repeat the things we normally say, although some of us strive to be a little bit clever. By and large though it's all quite predictable, the highlight being when someone stoops to correct an opponent's grammar or impugn their intelligence

(In fact, I may have to chide you for displaying such a high degree of thoughtfulness and courtesy : )

Poirot,
Thanks. I do feel like I'm beating my head against a brick wall .... and it's beginning to throb! But this phenomenon is not exclusive to this forum, sadly.

Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps I am niaive, but I do believe that the solutions to the world's problems lie in the minds of the people, not in the governments they elect or indeed, do not elect. There are hundreds of really good, workable solutions to any number of issues just waiting to be heard, if only anyone would bother to listen.

Perhaps I need to start another forum - The Think Tank - where people can discuss such am matters, with all their pros and cons, free from political ideology?

Cheers

@ Scribbler,

<<the notion that people continue to be branded as 'refugees' well after they have entered society is half the problem>>

“Branded” to me seems to imply two things i) It is applied from outside & ii) It is handicap.

My own experience leads me to the opposite conclusion.

As late as yesterday afternoon I was in communication with a very, very good friend of mine who happens to be an ex-refugee
She was applying for a job (which has nothing to do with refugees ) but was/is seeking to use her former refugee status as a lever to better her prospects.And I have seen similar from others individuals.

I also happen to know of CEO’s who have instructed their organizations
To set aside positions for persons who identify as “refugees”

<<New ideas>>
Agree with you about new ideas. But let us not confuse diversity in ethnic plumage with diversity in intellect.

@Poirot

<<What actually happens is … Supporters and detractors climb on-board and we have a rhetorical bun-fight… the highlight being when someone stoops to correct an opponent's grammar or impugn their intelligence>>

If I could add something to your little list. It would be the inability of allowing credit where it is due.
(the equivalent of watching a tennis match and only applauding the rallies won by your countryman/woman)
To cite an example, the ABC-Q&A encounter between Richard Dawkins & Cardinal Pell.
While I am a huge admirer of Richard Dawkins and ideologically speaking light years closer to him than Pell.
It has to be allowed that Pell caught Dawkins short on a number of issues.
Yet, there were still some on OLO who (I will not embarrass by naming) could not bring themselves to allow him any credit.

scribbler,

Of course, that's not to say that there isn't plenty of "spirit" around here. It's far and away the best forum of it's kind. But in the end it's a refection of the way we are.

I hope you stick around. We need thoughtful intelligent posters like yourself, especially since there's such a dearth of women regularly posting on OLO.

SPQR,

I was so underwhelmed by Pell. In fact, I had fervently hoped he would impress me - give me something to chew on....but he didn't. His performance was wishy-washy and he displayed a certain nebulosity even on purely Christian questions. How could I overlook his trite reference to Homo Sapiens being "descended" from Neanderthals when they both existed at the same time?

On the contrary, I dearly wished to, but could not find anything in his performance to auger my interest. In fact, I think perhaps he wasn't the best choice as a Christian counter to Dawkins.