Finding Safe Harbour

Book excerpt: The global refugee crisis is staggering in scope. The United Nations Refugee Agency reported that 79.5 million people were displaced worldwide in 2019, and over half of all displaced persons were under eighteen. As the number of children and teenagers seeking asylum continues to grow, the impact of displacement on a young person’s well-being and development over the long term requires further study. In Finding Safe Harbour Emily Pelley investigates the current response to refugee youth in Canada by highlighting how Halifax, Nova Scotia, as a mid-sized urban centre, has mobilized services and resources to support young people seeking refuge. Opening with a broad contextual introduction to the global crisis of displacement and the impact of violence and armed conflict on young people, Pelley focuses on the reciprocal adaptation that is required for the long-term integration of displaced youth into the receiving society. A concise and illuminating study on refugee resettlement, Finding Safe Harbour concludes with an in-depth discussion of how cities can optimize resilience resources through meaningful engagement with refugee youth.