March 2006

Dear Educator,

Teachers' Corner, the UN Refugee Agency's (UNHCR) E-alert, is created for educators like you who are teaching about refugees, human rights and tolerance in the classroom. In this update:

• The 2005 World Refugee Day Poster Contest Winners are congratulated by UNHCR Regional Representative Kolude Doherty, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie. NGS/B. Hale

  Only 3 weeks left for students to enter poster contest!
  Don't forget to encourage your students to enter the Sixth Annual World Refugee Day Poster Contest sponsored by UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie. Winning students will receive a trip to Washington in June! Entries must be postmarked by midnight March 31, 2006.

• Schools across the U.S. reach out to refugee children
  Schools just like yours across the U.S. are making a difference in the lives of millions of refugee children. Join these schools from Texas which have raised money to send to these young victims:

In recent decades literally tens of millions of children have been given a new chance to grow and prosper through better medical care, schooling or through the protection of UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations. But despite these accomplishments, life has never been so desperate for many of the world's youngest citizens, including the estimated 25 million children currently uprooted from their homes. Visit www.UNrefugees.org for ideas on getting your school involved in making an impact on a refugee child's life. Creative projects will be featured on our website.

• News to use in the classroom
  
  

  Some of the 8,000 - 10,000 people who have gathered in West Darfur, have built basic shelters to protect themselves from the sun, the wind and the cold at night.UNHCR/L. Nassif

  Chad/Darfur: Conditions worsen for refugee children along Chad/Sudan border Increased violence along the Chad/Sudan border have put thousands of refugee children's lives at risk. The UN Refugee Agency is battling the elements, massive logistics obstacles and daunting security challenges to help hundreds of thousands of people uprooted by the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region. Share the latest news on the crisis with your class, including the most recent photos, maps and video footage.
  
  
  
  Americas: Working for the rights of children "because grown-ups forget to do it"
  The New Year is going to be an exciting time for 12-year-old Alejandra and her 10-year-old brother Eduardo. The two Colombian children have been appointed members of the Council for the Rights of Children in Mexico City - the only two refugee children to be part of this new initiative.
  


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