Why Norwegian parents are sending their kids to live in fake refugee camps

[rug]

By Rick Noack
March 15

Norway has faced harsh criticism amid the recent influx of refugees into Europe. Sweden and Germany, for instance, have complained about the Scandinavian country's low acceptance rates. Norway also made headlines when it decided that refugees who had taken the Arctic route to cross into the country would be sent back to Russia.

Its tough stances initially surprised many, particularly because Norway historically has been a role model and main destination for asylum seekers from countries ravaged by war or poverty.

But there's one group of Norwegians who might have been especially surprised — the tens of thousands who have experienced life as a refugee themselves in recent years, or at least pretended to for a day.

Every year, thousands of parents ask their children to live in fake refugee camps to get a feeling for the suffering millions of people experience. "The camp is supposed to give the teens a small insight and a feeling of how it is to be a refugee," said Kenneth Johansen, director of the organization which manages the project.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/03/15/why-norwegian-parents-are-forcing-their-kids-to-live-in-fake-refugee-camps/

[NightWatcher]

1. Great, maybe their kids won't be dicks to the refugees

Sympathy and empathy go a long way towards making everyone's situation a bit smoother.

[rug]

2. It's hard to hate someone who's suffering.

[malaise]

3. K & R

More kids should be exposed to issues like this

[Solly Mack]

4. Empathy: The world needs more of it.

[LittleBlue]

5. They should also give them a ticket to Saudi Arabia

So they can experience Islamic tolerance by watching atheists and political dissenters get beheaded.

[rug]

6. Saudi Arabia is to Islam what North Korea is to socialism.

[LittleBlue]

7. Same rules apply across the Islamic world

I could have substituted Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, etc.

Recently saw a video on TV of an Islamic lynch mob beating Ahmadis to death in Indonesia. For daring to exist. Then the Indonesian politicians sat in a room and condemned the victims.

Yeah no. If you're going to give these children an education, give them a comprehensive one.

[rug]

8. Ahmadis are Muslims.

As are the hundreds of millions who beat no one.

[LittleBlue]

9. Of course they are

The program I watched went into that. They're yet another group persecuted by mostly Sunni Muslims.

[awoke_in_2003]

10. Saudi Arabia is to Islam

What vanilla ice cream is to chocolate- just another flavor