A
migrant can be defined as someone who has had to leave his or her
country to work (or to seek work).
This
word is also used for someone who moves around in his or her own
country to follow work such as the seasonal harvesting of crops (a
migrant worker).
Got
it!
The
first definition is slightly different than the word immigrant;
an immigrant is someone who moves to another country to
settle—or live permanently. And the second definition is slightly
different than the word nomad; a nomad is a member of an
entire community of people who move from one place to another rather
than settling in one spot.
Similar
words include emigrant, emigre, expatriate,
itinerant, and displaced person! They all have similar
definitions but slightly different connotations—that is, they evoke
different ideas or feelings. For example, I think nomad sounds
exotic and perhaps historical, whereas itinerant just sounds
kind of homeless and sad.
Okay,
now I'm confused!
It's
simple. People sometimes leave their country, or their native region
of their country, in order to find work. They are often called
migrants or migrant
workers. And no matter why people become migrants—whether they
had to move because of lack of opportunity or natural disaster or war
or disease—they are human beings just like you and me, and they
should be treated as such.
And
that's what this United Nations day is all about.
Got
it!
We
can recognize the contributions migrants make to their home and host
countries, and of course we should respect their human rights! Do you
know about any migrants in your nation or region?
Although
these resources
were developed for students in Scotland, some would be useful to any
English-speaking person. For example, try the one labeled “British
Red Cross—Needs and wants auction.”
- Animals migrate to breed or to avoid harsh weather or to follow their food. Learn about animal migration at Brain Pop Junior.
- This video about migration from Mexico to the U.S. is a couple of decades (or so) out of date, but still interesting and relevant to understanding today's issues.
Also
on this date:
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