Introduction

Lesson adapted from Global Oneness Project

To start this lesson, you will view a "photo essay" that tells the story in photographs of refugees and migrants as they cross the borders of Serbia-Croatia and Croatia-Slovenia.

The photo essay is by a Slovenian photographer, showing migrants crossing the boarder from Serbia to Croatia and from Croatia to Slovenia.

A majority of refugees and migrants are coming from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries in the Middle East. They are hoping to find a safe way to travel to Northern Europe. On the way they pass through many other countries, such as Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia as shown in these photographs. The number of refugees leaving the Middle East is higher than it's ever been, primarily due to the civil war in Syria and ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Maps

Examine the map below to see the relative locations of Syria and Croatia.

Syria and Croatia Map.png

Questions to consider

What do you think the journey might be like for people fleeing Syria? What do you expect to see in the images?

As you view the images, think about the impact of these photographs. Which specific photographs, do you think, are the most effective at connecting the viewer to the refugee experience? Why?

Photo Essay

Additional Resources

Photographer Ciril Jazbec 's description of his experience.