Cross-cultural communication Helping refugees from Syria.docx

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Cross-cultural communication: Helping refugees from Syria

Outline
Introduction
Comparison of how different governments are dealing with Syria Refugees
How Media Reports the situation of the Refugees and Reactions of Inhabitants of Countries hosting Refugees
Countries Avoiding Responsibility for refugees and why
Scope of Intercultural and cross-cultural communication with respect to Refugees
Conclusion
Bibliography














Cross-cultural communication: Helping refugees from Syria
Introduction
Good communication is based on the capability of the recipient to listen and comprehend the intention of the speaker and vice versa. However, communicating with people from different cultures can prove to be a challenging encounter. Despite the difficulty, the importance of cross-cultural communication cannot be ignored particularly, in a generation where migrants move across borders with disparate traditions and language seeking refuge. Governments are legally obligated to offer a safe haven for refugees as mandated by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the 1951 protocol. The ongoing Syria refugee crisis has seen mixed reactions from states on whether to receive fleers or not. It is also an illustration of the challenges that locals and refugees face with respect to cross- cultural communication. The following discourse examines the Syria refugee crisis and the scope of the intercultural and cross-cultural communication in helping Syrians migrants seek asylum.
Comparison of how different governments are dealing with Syria Refugees
The Syrian refugee impasse has been correctly termed as one of most heinous humanitarian catastrophe after the cold war. It is approximated that about 7.6 million are internally displace and more than 4 million are fleeing to neighbouring countries in such of shelter. The extreme erosion of the political and socio-economic structures have intensified the number of refugees influx in the neighbouring states and international governments as noted by UNHCR (2013, p. 3) Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and so forth have responded to the humanitarian emergency in Syria guided by the tenets of international law. The following is an analysis of how various states have welcomed the asylum-seekers.
The Turkish government has been offering sanctuary for Syrian migrants as early as April 2011 through an open door initiative. Back in 2011, the policy was meant to act as an interim plan to offer the displaced persons refuge as the conflict in Syria is resolved. However, it has been forced to readjust the purpose of the initiative as the civil war deepened. Turkey has reconsidered its immigration laws and legislated bills to allow an inclusive and liberal migrant and asylum decree. Currently, the state offers Syrian migrants provisional protection status. Moreover, it encourages a non-refoulement culture whilst welcoming Syrians fleeing the war-torn country. However, whilst it maintains a charitable gesture to the migrants, the numbers are becoming hard to withstand as noted by İçduygu (2015. 4).
Jordan currently hosts about 630,000 Syrians migrants with the figure anticipated to rise with the influx of Syrian fleers. Individuals who seek refuge in the state must first register with UNHCR officials and afterwards they move ad hoc camps. The migrants have drastically altered the population. Most of the refugees have moved to urban centres like Amman rather than camps. Their concentration in the towns makes them easily distinguishable from the locals. Whilst Jordan, is willing to accept more refugees questions have arose on whether inhabitants would welcome their presence in towns where they seem to be fighting for resource as well as opportunities (Martinez, 2015, p.1).
Lebanon has welcomed the migrants and currently hosts the second-highest number of about 1.1 million. Lebanese has utilized its treaties with Syria that enables Syrians to get residency permits in the country. This system, therefore, bars refugees who move into Lebanon through unauthorised entries as they are deemed illegal immigrants. Though the migrants are expected to register with UNHCR to receive medical attention, shelter and other fundamental needs, most of them remain unregistered. Moreover, the invasion of escapees has increased the country's population resulting to a strained economy. Nonetheless, Lebanese the authorities have continued to open their borders and offer relevant assistance (International Labour Organization, 2013, p.3).
Ironically, Iraq which has been terrorized by extremist networks like ISIS is currently hosting about 249,000 migrants in the northern part of the country (Martinez, 2015, p.1). In fact, Iraqi refugees who had fled to Syria in such of serenity are rushing back accompanied by other Syrians. The migrants are hosted in refugee by Kurdistan Regional government assisted by numerous humanitarian agencies.
Like its counterparts, Egypt also hosts Syrian refugees. However, political uncertainty and absence of national asylum structures and organizations has made it difficult for the registration of migrants. UNHCR (2013, p.4) is struggling to register and accommodate Syrians moving into the country. Though the Egyptian authorities have attempted to offer medical and education facilities for the migrants, they barely meet the needs for the refugees. The education system is drained and the national public insurance covers are wretched. Actually, humanitarian agencies have reported that the horrific conditions in Egypt have forced asylum-seekers to journey towards Europe assisted by human trafficking networks (Martinez, 2015, p.1).
Other countries have joined in solidarity with the Middle East state to assist in resettling the migrants. According to Harding (2015, p.1), the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has called for European Union Members to work in accord in accommodating the asylum-seekers. Germany has already welcomed more than 98,000 migrants and plans accommodate up to 500,000 yearly. Sweden and France in support of Germany are already accepting more migrants. UK has also adopted a policy that will see it welcome asylum-seekers that are being hosted in camps in the outskirts of Syria. It will offer the displaced persons with a humanitarian protection visa expected to last for five years (Gunter, 2014, p.1). The U.S. has accepted a small number of refugees from Syria over the years and has promised to raise the figure as the crisis persists. Though critics might question why the U.S. only welcomes a few Syrian migrants, it should be noted that they provided the highest financial support, $574 million (Financial Tracking Service, 2015, p.1). Canadian authorities has also offered to accept 10,000 Syrian asylum-seekers within three years and has begun hosting them (Martinez, 2015, p.1).
Whilst countries like Denmark and Hungary have accommodated Syrian migrants, they are hesitant to accept new arrivals. Danish authorities have admitted that they can no longer sustain more asylum-seekers and thus restricting their entry. Hungary has even erected barriers along the Hungary-Serbia border to limit chances of the fleers crossing into the country. In fact, migrants who have trespassed the borders have been stopped by police troops who push them to distasteful transit camps (Martinez, 2015, p.1).
How Media Reports the situation of the Refugees and Reactions of Inhabitants of Countries hosting Refugees
The recent incident where a Hungarian journalist, Petra Laszlo, was caught on camera tripping a Syrian refugee and his son not only astounded the world but also re-affirmed the fragility of how the media portrays humanitarian issues (Blair, 2015, p. 1). As the Syrian refugee impasse become more newsworthy, there is need to monitor how the press reports their conditions. The inhumane conditions of the 9/11 Afghan refugees as well as Petra Lazlo case reiterates the importance observing media representation of asylum seekers. Existing literature has shown that the press and the public theorize negative opinions perceiving asylum-seekers as a threat and burden to the state. Conversely, other press groups portray refugees as victimized individuals seeking humanitarian attention. These ambivalence representation of asylum-seekers generates stereotypes that damage their public image. Arguably, the media has a firm link with politics, and society. Indeed, scholars have noted the stereotypes that the media portray about refugees influence asylum policy legislation and implementation. As a mirror of the society, it is, therefore, important to analyse how the media has handled the Syria refugee catastrophe
Esses, Medianu and Lawson (2013, p. 520) argue that the refugee crisis is a topical issue in international press particularly among the Western media. Though it has received mixed representation in the media, the reports are primarily positive. Despite the favourable representation, there are various stereotypes that certain media have portray about the immigrants. Foremost, media has reported that Syrians immigrants spread diseases. The Telegraph and The Mirror have been recorded alluding that the asylum-seekers could bring back polio to Europe and introduce strange ailments to the continent because of poor sanitary conditions of their camps. Secondly, some media reports claim that immigrants particularly those entering Europe are exposing the country to invasion by terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda. Moreover, others claim asylum-seekers are likely to pose economic instability as they compete for the limited resources. In fact, some press institution have even questioned why their governments are accepting the dejected immigrants whilst there are homeless inhabitants. A journalist in The Sun even encouraged the UK to curtail refugee incursion as they may introduce their repressive system to the country (Esses, Medianu & Lawson, 2013, p. 523).
Clearly, negative discernments break the solidarity and promote a scenario of 'we' verses 'them'. Consequently, it creates tension between the locals and the immigrants. Indeed, asylum-seekers are straining the economies of their hosting countries particularly, states neighbouring Syria. If the media continues to portray a negative image of the immigrants, then inhabitants of countries like Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt are likely to begin clashing with the refugees. Indeed, it has been reported that Egyptian employees are reluctant to employ Syrian asylum-seekers. Harsh treatment of Syrian immigrants in Hungary and Denmark must have also evolved from the negative stereotypes that the media conveyed to the residents (Hartocollis, 2015, p. 1).
As stated earlier, media have generally reported positive and neutral views about the fleers. One of the dominant themes has been that the refugees are innocent and vulnerable. Media reports have chiefly espoused that the main victims of the war are children and women who are essentially desperate for assistance. The empathy has attracted a huge number of inhabitants to welcome and assist the migrants. Secondly, the media has been emphatic that the world has a moral duty to care and protect the
Syrians who are languishing in war-torn country (Yan, 2015, p.1). For instance, British press groups such as Telegraph and Guardian has continuously reminded Britons of their philanthropic culture and how they have always supported the hounded. Furthermore, whilst some journalist have strived to tarnish the image of the refugees, a majority of media persons insisted that the migrants are genuine victims of war, not chancers. To further ensure that readers can commiserate with the refugees, the theme of personal calamities has been prominent in the papers. The reports include first account stories of women and children in Syria and experiences in pursuit of serenity. Images of women and children dominate the cover pages of most newspapers with headlines outlining the torment they endure. Indeed, the impact of such personalized stories are extensive (Refugee Council Website, 2014, p.1)
Populations in countries experiencing refugee influx have portrayed mixed reactions. Most of the inhabitants of the Middle East nations have welcomed the asylum-seekers into their homes. Actually, it has been reported that some refugees flee from the camps and seek better shelter in the homes of the residents because of the hostile conditions in the camps. Likewise, UK and Germany have given them a warm reception hosting them in their homes. In fact, UK locals are currently running a campaign titled 'Syria Solidarity Movement UK' that empathizes with Syrians and is pushing for restoration of political and socio-economic stability in the country.
In a stark contrast, refugees are getting inimical treatment in Hungary. The asylum-seekers are hosted in caged camps with poor sanitation and offered unreliable meals. Whilst Hungary keeps locking out refugees, it remains a crucial entry point for fleers moving into Europe. Most of the desperate refugees are unwilling to reside in Hungary particularly, because of the inhumane treatment they receive from the authorities and most of the citizens. Hungary, under the leadership of Vikto Orban, has developed a spiteful policy for refugees (Hartocollis, 2015, p.1). The situation is similar in Denmark and other Balkan states. The maltreatment of asylum-seekers in the Balkan states is depressing. Actually, asylum-seekers are longing to leave the country.
Countries Avoiding Responsibility for refugees and why
While Balkan states are offering the asylum seekers a hostile reception, the Gulf nations other than the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are hosting zero Syrian refugees. Despite being closer to Syria and speaking a language that Syrians can understand, Gulf States have kept their borders closed asylum-seekers. Ironically, their leaders have been fervent in condemning the ongoing conflict in Syria as the state press relentlessly report on the progress of the civil war. Humanitarians across the world have criticized the Arab nations' deceptive response towards the Syrian humanitarian upheaval (Hubbard, 2015, p.1).
Apparently, the Gulf nations like have no legal duty to assist and welcome refugees. They are not signatories to the 1951 Refugee Convention, which among other issues, provides for the legal duties of a state with respect to refugees. However, whilst they do not have an official obligation to cater for the asylum-seekers, they also have no rule prohibiting to do so cater for the suffering refugees. The United Nations has been unequivocal on the issue of displaced persons. It has insisted that politically and economic stable countries should welcome the asylum-seekers (Hubbard, 2015, p.1).
Basically, the issue is more of munificence and less of a legal duty. It is also arguably a virtuous responsibility. The Gulf States have a stronger economy than most of the Middle East states struggling with the refugee influx. They can, therefore, accommodate even more refugees than Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. Additionally, observers have noted that they the governments of the Arab nations have a moral responsibility to support sufferers of a conflict Arab tycoons presumably funded. Likewise, humanitarian agencies are also agitating for high-income nations like Singapore, Russia, as well as Japan and so forth to quit playing shadowy roles and begin resettling the refugees (Hubbard, 2015, p.1).
Scope of intercultural and cross- cultural communication in helping Refugees
Indeed, the Syrian refugees have received conflicting reception from the various countries they seek asylum. It raises the question why one state would warmly accept refugees, while another country remains antagonistic to refugees, and another chooses to play spectral role of criticizing a war but refuse to accommodate any of its victim. Furthermore, one wonders why the media would adamantly portray unfavourable image of asylum seekers, whilst other journalist encourage the society to empathize with the refugees. Finally, one would also ask the scope of intercultural and cross-cultural communication in helping refugees.
The mixed response towards refugees can generally be claimed to have been induced by the uncertainty people have when they meet individuals with different traditions. The conflicting languages, mannerisms, cuisine, dressing and so forth engender unnecessary but dangerous deviant. Consequently, they develop stereotypes such as those some Western media reports about the Syrian migrants. Additionally, it can be linked to the notion that the difference in culture hinders communication. Culture has a dominant influence during information sharing. Comprehending ones culture is vital when examining the intention and behaviour of another party.
Cross-cultural communication involves communication of individuals from disparate cultural setting. On the other hand, intercultural communication refers to the type of communication that is meant to help convey information to various cultures as well as social factions. Intercultural and cross-cultural communication is of crucial importance when people of differing backgrounds relate (Jacob, 2011, p.242). Similarly, it is of relevance on the issue of Syria refugees. As the migrants seek sanctuary in various countries across the world, they are destined to meet inhabitants with clashing norms. The conflicting culture might create devoid in communication unless the locals and immigrants make effort to reconcile their differences. Humanitarian agencies and countries welcoming refugees should create cross cultural awareness initiatives and employ cross cultural competent officials in the camps to encourage proper communication and mutual understanding between the refugees and inhabitants.
The refugee influx is likely to trigger culture clash and cripple communication especially, to the Syrians who have moved to the Europe and North America. The latter in effect will derail the process of provision of basic needs such as education and medical attention. Physicians should be trained on cross cultural sensitivity such that they are able to understand the immigrant patients and respond to their needs aptly. Education systems across the world should be adjusted to incorporate cross-cultural communication studies to hasten adoption of displaced children (ORSAM, 2014, p.6).
The scope of cross-cultural communication should be never be overlooked. Poor cross-cultural communication causes the misinterpretation of information, which can eventually trigger dispute. In fact, the resentment of the Balkan states towards asylum-seekers can partly be linked to misconception of words and behaviour. Historically, misinterpretation of information exacerbated the Cold War. Likewise, stereotypic notions could aggravate the relationship between the Balkan citizens and Syrian migrants. UN and other humanitarian agencies should encourage cross cultural competency among the countries assisting to curb the refugee to avoid possibility of triggering social dispute between locals and immigrants in century where refugee influx is a global crisis (Jacob, 2011, p.234)
Conclusion
The Syrian refugee crisis is indeed one of the most atrocious humanitarian disaster. Desperate migrants have had to flee to neighbouring countries for safety. The influx has affected the socio-economic status of the hosting countries as most nations begin feeling the strain on their resources. Consequently, some countries have developed a hostile attitude towards the refugees. Some states have even adamantly refused to open their borders to accommodate the refugees, even though they clearly have the capability. The media has conveyed a negative and positive view about the refugees, but generally it has been positive. The mixed response towards the refugees can partly be because of poor intercultural and cross-cultural communication. An improvement in cross-cultural competency could help quell the hostility between inhabitants and migrants.








Bibliographies
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