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migration. Two interviewees did not feel prepared to talk about the actions of the
international community on the subject.
Questionnaire 6th Question: Have You Heard About Climate Change
Refugees? Can You Define Them?
When it comes to climate change refugees, an analysis of the interviewees’ speech
indicates that anthropogenic climate change is a pressing challenge for humanity and
forces people to migrate seeking better living conditions in other territories. However,
one of the interviewees argued that, although of critical importance, climate change
“is not the main concern for the current global refugee crisis”.
One of the interviewees argued that climate change is a pressing issue for every
country and territory, which has the most negative effects on vulnerable agricultural
communities “forcing people to migrate for better living conditions, in which they
can produce food, access quality water resources and raise their families”. Other
interviewees understand that human activities (environmental disasters) also force
people to flee their homes.
Questionnaire 7th Question: Do You Think Universities Can Support Those
Refugees? If Yes, How?
All interviewees agreed that universities can support refugees in their adaptation to
the country of destination. Among the suggestions of the interviewees to improve
the lives of the climate refugees in the host country, are: (1) the organization of
events to promote awareness regarding the challenges faced by these migrants, (2)
promoting more research and outreach to spread the importance of the topic, (3)
to offer scholarships to support the education of the refugees and integrate them in
the market, and (4) to give job opportunities for their inclusion. Thus, one of the
interviewees argued that universities must “provide an environment to recognize
the refugees as citizens and provide study opportunities for them. Even with basic
subjects like the local language. Also, encouraging student groups that can work as
social support”.
Questionnaire 8th Question: Does Your University Contribute to Support
Refugees? If Yes, How? if not, What Could Be Done?
Only one out of the seven universities has an established program to support climate
change refugees, which promotes social activities on the campus to engage the
students with the refugees. The main goal of this university from southern Brazil
is to promote social inclusion and cultural diversity, by assisting the process of
social inclusion of international migrants and refugees from the State of Santa Catarina, South Brazil. Also, promoting language classes and technical support to assist
refugees. Figure 1 illustrates the proposed initiatives for the university to promote
refugees’ wellbeing.
Although the other six universities do not have a specific program for refugees’
wellbeing, they have other social support programs that can be used by them. Among
the social programs suggested by the managers in the questionnaire, were: (1) a
program of scholarship for people in need; (2) the development of researches to
I. I. Berchin et al.
migration. Two interviewees did not feel prepared to talk about the actions of the
international community on the subject.
Questionnaire 6th Question: Have You Heard About Climate Change
Refugees? Can You Define Them?
When it comes to climate change refugees, an analysis of the interviewees’ speech
indicates that anthropogenic climate change is a pressing challenge for humanity and
forces people to migrate seeking better living conditions in other territories. However,
one of the interviewees argued that, although of critical importance, climate change
“is not the main concern for the current global refugee crisis”.
One of the interviewees argued that climate change is a pressing issue for every
country and territory, which has the most negative effects on vulnerable agricultural
communities “forcing people to migrate for better living conditions, in which they
can produce food, access quality water resources and raise their families”. Other
interviewees understand that human activities (environmental disasters) also force
people to flee their homes.
Questionnaire 7th Question: Do You Think Universities Can Support Those
Refugees? If Yes, How?
All interviewees agreed that universities can support refugees in their adaptation to
the country of destination. Among the suggestions of the interviewees to improve
the lives of the climate refugees in the host country, are: (1) the organization of
events to promote awareness regarding the challenges faced by these migrants, (2)
promoting more research and outreach to spread the importance of the topic, (3)
to offer scholarships to support the education of the refugees and integrate them in
the market, and (4) to give job opportunities for their inclusion. Thus, one of the
interviewees argued that universities must “provide an environment to recognize
the refugees as citizens and provide study opportunities for them. Even with basic
subjects like the local language. Also, encouraging student groups that can work as
social support”.
Questionnaire 8th Question: Does Your University Contribute to Support
Refugees? If Yes, How? if not, What Could Be Done?
Only one out of the seven universities has an established program to support climate
change refugees, which promotes social activities on the campus to engage the
students with the refugees. The main goal of this university from southern Brazil
is to promote social inclusion and cultural diversity, by assisting the process of
social inclusion of international migrants and refugees from the State of Santa Catarina, South Brazil. Also, promoting language classes and technical support to assist
refugees. Figure 1 illustrates the proposed initiatives for the university to promote
refugees’ wellbeing.
Although the other six universities do not have a specific program for refugees’
wellbeing, they have other social support programs that can be used by them. Among
the social programs suggested by the managers in the questionnaire, were: (1) a
program of scholarship for people in need; (2) the development of researches to