Transformative Conversations

Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Salvation Army settings are finding their local communities divided, particularly when it comes to issues surrounding migration and the UK asylum system.

People connected to The Salvation Army hold a wide range of views on migration, asylum, and the associated protests and policies – for a whole host of reasons. How do we have constructive conversations about these issues when we have such a diversity of strong opinions in our settings?

This resource presents a list of media which encourage us to consider the experiences of others – in this case refugees and asylum seekers. By exploring these together, we can have a deeper appreciation of:

the experiences others have been through
how these experiences affect the choices people make
how they affect the views people have

The purpose of all this is more empathetic listening – a key starting point for transformative conversations.

A4 portrait documents fanning out on a dark background, in a short looping animation

In the resource, you will find a series of suggested questions, followed by links to a range of media. Feel free to be creative in how and where you use these (eg in a Bible study, in a community group, with a youth group), and wise in selecting materials that are relevant for your setting and your community’s needs.

Why not explore a range of different views as experienced through these media – particularly exploring stories which may be different from the viewers’ own experiences.

Here are two example questions:

General: How do you think the main character(s)/people in the media you have just experienced felt? What was a time you felt like that?

This question encourages the building of empathy with the people discussed/represented in the media.

Faith-related: Consider Jesus’ example of radical hospitality. How might he have responded to the people or situations represented in the media?

This question encourages us to reflect on the life and teaching of Jesus, and particularly his well-documented inclusion of marginalised individuals. Who in the media might he have been pleased with? What may have saddened him? How might he have responded differently?

an A4 document on a dark background, annotated with red lines and cream-coloured text

a black line, intersected by speech mark graphics

three portrait A4 pages, fanned out on a dark background

Download Resource

A curated list of existing media which encourage us to consider the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers, with discussion questions and guidance on facilitating transformative conversations.

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