Overview

Participants face simulated attacks, mine fields where they may be ‘injured’, life in a refugee camp, hunger, illness, lack of education, corruption and uncertain shelter or safety. Participants may also be marched under guard, subjected to ambush and, ultimately, offered a chance of re-settlement where they must re-build their lives. The experience is co-developed with refugees, internally displaced persons and aid workers to create as realistic a scenario as possible and to target issues that need addressing by global leaders: ethnic conflict, weak legal infrastructure, corruption, disempowerment and frustration.

Due to the intense nature of this programme, we ask our participants to read and sign our Participation Agreement Form. We ask participants under 18 to have their forms signed by a parent or guardian.

 

Available Booking Schedules

We run our programmes at our site across two booking-slots daily, Tuesday to Saturday. They are as follows:

 Morning option:

09:45     Arrival, bathroom break, name-tags

10:00     Introduction to the programme

10:30     Simulation

12:30     Visit to our Fair Trade Café and Shop

13:00     End of programme

 Afternoon option:

13:45     Arrival, bathroom break, name-tags

14:00     Introduction to the programme

14:30     Simulation

16:30     Visit to our Fair Trade Café and Shop

17:00     End of programme

 

Practical Information

• Booking: Participation is by booking. If you would like to make a booking, kindly fill in our online booking form.
• Language: This programme is only available in English.
• Suggested Group Size: We tend to suggest a minimum number of participants of 40 and a maximum of 80. It is, on occasion, possible to combine with other groups in order to participate if your group is smaller.
• Programme fee: There is a programme fee for this programme. Please email us for a quotation.
• Suggested age-range for programme: This programme is suitable for anyone over the age of 16. Additionally, due to the intense nature of this simulation, we request that all participants complete a Participant Acknowledgement Form. Participants under 18 should have their Participant Acknowledgement Form signed by a parent or legal guardian. You will receive the form upon booking.
• Please check out our Booking FAQ’s for details on:
  • The terms and conditions of your booking (including our cancellation and weather policy, and what happens if your number of participants changes)
  • What to bring when you visit
  • Directions to our site
  • .. and more

How do people respond?

When we asked participants the impressions they gained of life for a refugee, they told us the following.“A profound experience that reminds us of the plight of millions of forcibly displaced people.” Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations

“Beautifully done.” Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Management Ltd.

“Everyone should do this. It will change the way you see refugees.” Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia

“A remarkable experience… One is moved, emotionally, out of normality, to a better understanding of the fears and dangers present for refugees.” Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Earth Institute, Colombia University

“The bit of Davos I will remember for the rest of my life.” Sir John Gieve, Harvard University

“Humbling, inspiring, thought-provoking and motivating – a truly remarkable experience. Thank you!” Jane Nelson, Director of Harvard Kennedy School’s Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative

“The simulation was as close to real as I could imagine. I now have a much greater appreciation for the needs of displaced people and will be an advocate for sending the message.” Dan Brutto, President, UPS International

“Thank you…for the very powerful experience you gave so many of us…it was very well done – unsettling, authentic, transformative.” Amy E Roth, International Justice Mission

“I don’t know how anyone could do this experience and not come out morally obligated to do something about it.” Paul Ellingstad, Director, Office of Global Social Innovation, HP

“Most impactful experience I’ve had in a long time, with real inspiration to take action. Don’t miss this!” Mack Gill, President, Global Services, Sungard

“Thank you on behalf of millions of refugees.” Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Chairman of the Board, Nestle

“Everyone at WEF should be required to do this.” Josh Spear, Founding Partner, Undercurrent.

 

CNN Money coverage

Click the image below to watch CNN’s piece on A Day in the Life of a Refugee in Davos:

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So You’ve Done Refugee Run… What Next?

The world is witnessing the highest levels of human displacement on record. An unprecedented 68.5 million people around the world have been forced from home. In a world where 1 person is forcibly displaced every 2 seconds as a result of conflict or persecution, this is a very real problem that needs immediate action.

Here are just some of the ways you can get involved:

Help Through Crossroads

• Shipments: We regularly ship to groups helping care for people in need around the world. You would be welcome to help sponsor the costs of such a shipment. Please contact our team at enquiries@crossroads.org.hk for more information.
• Refugee Run: You may like to be an ambassador for the Refugee Run itself and tell others about this opportunity to X-perience life as a refugee. A booking can be made by Clicking here.
• Collection Drives We regularly take high quality goods which Hong Kong no longer needs and redistribute them to people in need, locally and internationally. If you are in Hong Kong, you can even organise your own collection drive. Click here for more information.
• Good City App: is a Hong Kong city wide service that helps to bridge the gap between those who want to donate items and those in need of them. Learn how you can get involved at Good City
• Global Handicrafts Marketplace. We have hundreds of beautiful, handmade items for sale on a fair trade and social enterprise basis. Some of these items are made by:
  • Congolese and Rwandan refugees in Kenya
  • Sudanese refugees in Egypt
  • IDPs in the north of Uganda
  • .. and many more

Feel free to ask our Global Handicrafts manager for help when you shop, or to email the team at marketplace@crossroads.org.hk

Help Through Other Organisations

• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Helps refugees throughout the world in a variety of ways. Browse UNHCR for more information.
• International Social Services (ISS) Assists asylum seekers, refugees and torture claimants. Among the services they offer are housing for refugees and basic training for those preparing to resettle in other countries. Learn more at ISSHK.
• Christian Action Provides meals, food parcels, legal services and English & computer classes for refugees. Find more details here .
• Justice Centre Provides pro bono legal advice to refugees in Hong Kong, seeks to protect their rights, and generates awareness of refugee issues. Browse Justice Centre for more information.
• Branches of Hope Provides meals, financial assistance, vocational training, English and children’s education classes for refugees. Find more details here .

 

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Should you have any questions or concerns please contact Crossroads Foundation at https://www.crossroads.org.hk.)