What’s the difference between a migrant and refugee? A lot, according to a new video
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Summing up the European refugee crisis proves difficult because of all the factors involved, but a video making the rounds on social media proves knowing two words is a good start: "words matter."
According to CNBC, the "hundreds of thousands risking their lives in search of better ones in Europe in recent months" have been referred to as refugees or migrants, but using the terms interchangeably can cause issues for both communities.
Because of that, Patrick Stewart, Cate Blanchett, Colin Firth and others have joined the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' "#WordsMatter" campaign, CNBC reported.
UNHCR and the likes of Stewart and Blanchett have documented their purpose in an online video. According to Upworthy, the video details the power of words in general — but specifically why migrants and refugees differ.
Snippets throughout UNHCR's video indicate a migrant "chooses to move country often to improve their life" and are free to return home, while a refugee "is running for their life, fleeing war or persecution."
However, the most striking commonality of both is what they deserve: fair treatment, according to the video.
"We need to treat all human beings — refugee or migrant — with respect and dignity," the video states.
UNHCR estimated that 59.5 million people were displaced because of dangers in their home countries at the end of 2014; according to CNBC, that's up from 37.5 million in 2005.
Send Payton Davis an email at pdavis@deseretdigital.com and follow him on Twitter, @Davis_DNN.
