David Miliband on how to deal with the refugee crisis

Further information about Rescue: Refugees and the political crisis of our time (TED Books, 2017)

In the book David Miliband takes the reader from war zones in the Middle East to the heart of Europe to explain the refugee crisis and show what can be done, not just by governments with the power to change policy but by citizens with the urge to change lives. His innovative and practical call to action shows that the crisis need not overwhelm European countries or its citizens.

The author said this was a fight to uphold the best of human nature in the face of rhetoric and policy that humour the worst. He defended the international order built by leaders out of the ashes of World War II, but said now was the time for reform. Describing his own family story as refugees and drawing lessons from his life in politics, Miliband showed that if we failed refugees, then we betrayed our own history, values, and interests.

The message was simple: rescue refugees and we rescue ourselves.ECFR’s director Mark Leonard discussed in November 2017 the refugee crisis with David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee and former British foreign secretary.

• Primary Source

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

Website: International Rescue Committee https://www.rescue.org/

Book: Rescue: Refugees and the political crisis of our time (TED Books, 2017) https://www.rescue-uk.org/rescue

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