A Journey into Exile

Online or In-person.

A Journey into Exile is a role-playing game that puts participants in the shoes of refugees. The activity can take place online or in person.

ONLINE VERSION 

The terms “refugee” and “migrant” conceal what is most profoundly human in the experience of exile. They depersonalize real human tragedy and drama that the refugees live. The simulation exercise “A Journey into Exile” invites us to put ourselves in the refugee’s shoes, so that we may remind ourselves that a refugee is much more than a mundane statistic. Refugees, all over the world, resourceful and resilient people who bring hope into our communities. 

Why should I participate? 

Many people see refugees as a threat. Many more are bystanders or indifferent to refugees. We hope that this simulation exercise becomes a tool that allows non-refugees to understand better what refugees go through, to become more welcoming and be in greater solidarity with them. 

 What will I do? 

During the online activity, nine participants will be given refugee characters with short biographies. As a refugee, you will make various group and individual decisions, hear refugee testimonies, and watch videos about their journeys, challenges, and resilience. The rest of the participants will help the refugees in their quest for reaching a safe place. 3 of the 9 candidates will have the chance to reach a place of asylum.  

How can I organize  “A Journey into Exile” online? 

We organize special online sessions for groups and communities in English and French. The exercise is run over the Zoom platform and last 1.5 hours. Shorter versions of the exercise are possible. The activity requires a minimum of 12 participants and a maximum of 40. All participants will need a computer, phone, or tablet (equipped with mic and camera) and the Zoom link. We recommend using a headset to maximize audio quality experience.  

We organize special sessions for groups and communities in English and French. Please contact us at canjrs@jesuites.org or fill out the form below if you would like us to facilitate our activity with your school, class, parish, community, or organization.  

IN-PERSON VERSION

 

This simulation exercise allows participants to experience  what a refugee goes through when they must flee his country. It is impossible to really know what a refugee experiences until we actually become one. Throughout the exercise, participants will become aware of the challenges and dangers that refugees face by making hard decisions similar to those of refugee make every day.  

Why should I participate? 

In the past few years, we have heard much about the refugee crisis, as well as the wave of refugees and the migrant flows. Yet, these terms conceal what is most profoundly human in the experience of exile. They depersonalize real human tragedy and drama that the refugees live.  

The simulation exercise A Journey into Exile invites us to put ourselves in the refugee’s shoes, so that we may remind ourselves that a refugee is much more than a mundane statistic. This simulation helps us to become aware that a refugee is first and foremost a human being, whose life is not all that different from our own, and whose existence has been turned upside down. Refugees are ordinary people who go through extra ordinary times. While we remember the challenging journeys of refugees, we share their stories in hope so that no one mut flee their home. 

What will I do? 

The exercise breaks into many different activities that are closely interlinked. Each participant plays the role of a refugee from a specific region of the world. According to their region, the participant-refugee will have to choose between a few options: they can attempt a dangerous journey in order to reach a Western country; or they can stay in a refugee camp; or they can take refuge in a city of a neighbouring country and become an urban refugee. 

During our journey together, we will invite certain participants to read the testimony of actual refugees who have gone through similar journeys. Ideally, the exercise ends with some time for feedback where the participant shares his feelings about what he has just experienced. 

How can I organize “A Journey into Exile”? 

We organize special sessions for groups and communities in English and French. Please contact us at canjrs@jesuites.org or fill out the form below if you would like us to facilitate our activity with your school, class, parish, community, or organization.  

MEDIA