Every year thousands of people are forced to flee from their homes owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion. These people are located outside the country of their nationality, and are unable to or, owing to such fear, are unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country. Very often their way to a new safe life is becoming a harsh experience accompanied by the loss of the loved ones, humiliation and other hardship.
For the fifth time in a row a 24-hour role playing game «Youth On the Run» took place in Belarus on September 13—15, 2013. For the period of 24 hours its participants reincarnated themselves into refugees fleeing from the African country to Belarus. The game is conducted with the purpose to raise tolerant behavior towards refugees and asylum seekers. Participants of the game take on the role of persons who are forced to flee leaving their native walls.
Participants of the 5ht game came at 12 p. m. on September, 14. Everyone had only a big bag in hands, a sleeping bag and a carpet behind the back. And the information session began where it was told about the game and its rules, about those families which roles must be taken on by the participants, about the country they are fleeing from, about the role of international organization assisting refugees and asylum seekers, as well as about other organizations providing assistance to such persons in the Republic of Belarus. Girls and boys watched organizers and trainers with smile on their faces, not understanding what challenges they will have to face during the future 24 hours. The participants were divided into four families. Each of them was given special documents and sent to different administrative offices to receive permissions for «going abroad».
A long corridor, five offices… It is necessary to receive a cherished paper permitting to leave the country in each of the office. Sullen officers frightening with their attitude, wishing to diminish at the earliest opportunity, shouting, tears everywhere… Everything was so unpredictable… After a long wandering from office to office, it seemed, a free minute appeared, all documents for departure are ready, visas are issued, someone lost his passport, and someone deals with a fake one… Explosion, smoke bombs, it is necessary to leave the building, to run… The guides are waiting outside; they will help each family to reach Belarus. A complicated way on foot, then crossing the Mediterranean in a luggage compartment of a ferry, a difficult crossing the border. And now after a long trip white tents are seen in the distance — it is a refugee camp. The participants are incredibly happy, they are provided with roof over their heads and some food, representatives of several organizations say that very soon they will be safe, but suddenly again shooting begins, grenades start flying, smoke is everywhere… The families again search for guides, find them and run into the darkness, into nowhere, they rely only on their guides. And again several hours on the way, lights are seen in the distance, they give hope, no strength to go on. Knock on the door of the nearest house, it is opened by the hostess with her daughter, they give shelter. A warm home, possibility to lie down appears for the first time during the whole long way, faces are tired and exhausted with pain. But again… Interview with migration service, families cry, some from the grief, that they will have to go back home, others cry from happiness because they finally received the refugee status in Belarus with an opportunity to find a new home and live safe, with no fear to lose their lives.
In the morning on September, 15 the game finished, everyone become again Belarusian girls and boys. However, now each of them knows what challenges do asylum seekers have to go through. And let’s hope that if once in their lives they meet person who came to Belarus in search of asylum, they will provide assistance in his integration into the Belarusian society.