
On Tuesday 10th December, Rethink Rebuild Society hosted the online series - Refugees, the Lived Experience. This episode focused on Counter-narratives against hardships among Syrian refugee youth. The researchers, drawing on findings from their work with Syrian refugees in the Netherlands, argued that the primary issue Syrian refugees faced was not solely trauma but the fragmentation of their identity. This fragmentation resulted not only from their displacement but also from the stereotypical perceptions placed upon them—either as victims or as potential threats, such as terrorists.
This episode provided a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the refugee experience, highlighting the complexities of identity, resilience, and the struggle for dignity amid societal stigma. By questioning assumptions and offering an alternative perspective, Refugees, the Lived Experience illuminated the true lived realities of refugees, moving beyond the simplistic victim narrative often portrayed in mainstream media.
