Opportunity Card

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New residents bring new ideas and experiences. Create a solution that helps newcomers feel included and connected.

281 millionpeople worldwide live outside their country of birth

1 in 4Canadians were born outside Canada

SDG 10includes safe, responsible migration and inclusion

#1finding community is consistently a top challenge newcomers report

About this challenge

New residents bring new ideas, skills, foods, and experiences. But moving to a new place is hard: everything familiar is suddenly gone.

This challenge asks you to create a solution that helps newcomers feel included and connected.

Communities that welcome newcomers well grow faster, fill jobs faster, and become more interesting places to live.

The first months decide a lot. A newcomer who quickly finds friends, work, and belonging stays and contributes; one who stays isolated often leaves.

Watch

What does it mean to be a refugee? (TED-Ed)

Tap to play · loads from YouTube

Think about

Question 1What would be hardest about arriving in your town knowing nobody?

Question 2What do newcomers need in their first week? First month? First year?

Question 3What do newcomers bring that your town needs?

Question 4Could locals and newcomers each solve a problem the other has?

Question 5Could food, sport, or celebration be the doorway in?

Question 6Would your town's quirks confuse a newcomer, or charm them?

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