Seeking Refuge and Belonging
Explore the stories of people seeking refuge in the context of Australia's immigration history.
In this curriculum aligned excursion secondary students deepen their understanding of the global issue of forced displacement by thinking critically about evidence and exploring individuals’ stories through interviews, museum objects, historical and contemporary sources.
During the workshop, students examine evidence, question assumptions, and extend their knowledge about the experiences of displaced people worldwide.
Students will explore the rights of people seeking refuge and Australia’s responsibilities under the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.
Students will experience
- Exploring historical and contemporary sources to understand the diverse experiences of displaced people, asylum seekers and refugees.
- Examining key concepts, documents and terminology related to seeking refuge in the Australian context.
- Visiting museum galleries to consolidate learning on Australian laws and interact with personal stories of people who have sought refuge in Australia.
Students will learn
- Key ideas and definitions including refugee, asylum seeker, displaced person, human rights.
- Key institutions and legislation.
- The process for an individual who is seeking refuge.
- About the range of people across time and locations who have sought asylum to Australia.
- Varied experiences of people seeking refuge, and how these shaped by individual circumstances, backgrounds, and journeys.
- To recognise people seeking refuge as individuals with diverse identities, cultures, and aspirations.
Students will be provided
- A booklet to guide them through the galleries and to record their findings.
Students will need
- Pens or pencils.
Other key information
- The length of this excursion is 90 minutes and includes a 45-minute workshop and a 45-minute gallery visit.
- Teachers are encouraged to visit the Getting In gallery and the Immigration Museum permanent exhibitions to familiarise themselves with the content before the excursion.
- Please contact Bookings if you are interested in bringing fewer than 15 students.
Availability
Terms 1–4, Monday to Thursday
Duration: 90 minutes
Student information
Years 9 to 10, VCE
Minimum 15 students
Maximum 30 students
Bookings
$11 per student + education service fee
Call 13 11 02 or submit an online booking request
Workshop
Presented by a museum educator
Victorian Curriculum Links
History Levels 9 and 10
Overview: Levels 9 and 10
- significant developments and events since 1945 that have contributed to global change, such as World War II, the United Nations, the Cold War and technologies (VC2HH10K03)
- the continuing efforts to create change in the civil rights and freedoms in Australia, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, migrants and women (VC2HH10K06)
Investigation: The globalising world (1945–present)
- the origins and significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including Australia’s involvement in the development of the declaration (VC2HH10K37)
Civics and Citizenship: Levels 9 and 10
Government and democracy
- the Australian Government’s roles and responsibilities at a regional and global level, including diplomatic relations in the Asia-Pacific region (VC2HC10K04)
Citizenship, diversity and identity
- individual and group participation in, and contribution to, civic life and global citizenship (VC2HC10K09)
- the influence of a range of media, including social media, in shaping identity and attitudes to diversity (VC2HC10K11)
Intercultural Capability: Levels 9 and 10
Culture, identity and belonging
- how diverse cultures, including their own, influence one another in a range of contexts and how this impacts identity and a sense of belonging and inclusion (VC2CI10C01)
- ways in which intercultural relations and intercultural experiences are influenced by policies and practices of a range of institutions (VC2CI10C02)
VCE Legal Studies
Unit 2: Wrongs and Rights
- Area of Study 3: Human Rights
Accessibility
Please view our accessibility page for general information. A sensory map of Melbourne Museum can be found on our Visual Stories page where step-by-step visual and written access guides are available. Contact our team on 13 11 02 or email us at schools@museum.vic.gov.au to discuss how we can support your visit.
Museums Victoria Learning Access Fund
The Museums Victoria Learning Access Fund aims to enhance access to our museums (Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks and Immigration Museum), programs and events by offering free or subsidised education programs for eligible schools. Find out more about the fund.
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