Oakgrove

On planet Earth humans seem to have trouble to recognise their own kind. Instead of enjoying each other’s uniqueness and ingenuity, they seem to be afraid of each other and blind to the fact that they all pretty much have the same dreams and fears. Dreams that could become reality if they recognised each other as who they are. Fears they could overcome if they had a drink together.

A town run by and for refugees

Until the governments, dictators and thugs of this planet stop to harass and starve their citizens, and until the West stops to damage the planet, stops to exploit their fellow humans and natural resources, and stops to trade in weapons, there will be refugees.

One way to acknowledge the role western interests have played and are playing in the displacement of millions of people, is to provide land and funds for refugee towns.

The general idea is that a refugee town is built and run by and for refugees.

These towns have several objectives:

Provide a town where refugees can recover, and where they get treatment for their traumata.
Provide a town where refugees can regroup to fight for their countries and for their rights, from a safe place.
Provide a town where refugees can build and create a place for themselves.
Provide a town where humans who had to flee their country can live a dignified life, and where they can build their own businesses, schools, health services, art venues, party places, libraries, a tourism branch, and everything else that makes a town.
Avoid paperwork, waiting times, discrimination, frustration, anxiety.

book 3/1, shaping

picks up this idea.

After the call, Alice asked Any: ‘Is it really that bad?’
‘Worse,’ Any replied. ‘But you are right to focus on the basics, and to test them in your town. When your first town runs well, maybe then you can invent a town for stateless people and one for refugees.’
Alices eyes brightened. ‘Any, that’s it! We have so much land that isn’t used. Just think of all the abandoned villages in Europe. Refugees and stateless people could become guardians of these lands. They could move there to heal. They could transform these places into sanctuaries, into locations where they can regroup, rethink, build their local economies, restore nature, campaign for the lands of their origins, write the stories and narratives that can bring change to the people of their countries. In these towns, refugees and stateless people can find and create their dignity and strength, and shape the future of our planet — and that without being harassed or patronised by anyone. And Europe would have no right to complain so long as they trade in weapons and cosy up to dictators.’
Any smiled a little. ‘It might be possible to sell this if you added a calculation about how much money and trouble states would save if refugees and stateless people had the freedom to take care of themselves.’
Alice grimaced. ‘And how much safer we all are if we don’t treat each other like animals or enemies.’

For more on the easy town books see the easy town books website and/or the Charlie Alice Raya website.

Movie recommendations

Adú, Netflix

Swimmers, Netflix

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