1. Begin with a brief statement that summarizes your country’s overall standpoint/attitude toward the issue of refugee health
  2. Provide a summary of the history of refugee health in your country and a description of your country’s socio-political identity, including details such as:
    • Notable events (famines, communicable outbreak, widespread infection, etc.)
    • Both political and cultural factors unique to your country that complicate possible solutions such as:
      • Conflicts across international borders or civil unrest
      • Political or economic allies
      • Clashes between the use of modern Western medicine and cultural traditions
    • The nature of your country’s domestic and foreign policy – consider if health care is a major priority for your country
  1. Describe the present situation/state of refugee health in your country, including details such as:
    • Information on current refugee camps (number of refugees, number of camps, quality of camps, size of camps, age of the camps, etc.)
    • Level of dependence on foreign aid by state and private actors
    • The state of the national health care system and the development of health infrastructure
  1. Explain past initiatives taken by your country to tackle the issue of refugee health, including any legislations, resolutions, treaties, amendments, etc. that have been successfully passed
  2. Propose possible solutions and steps your country is willing to take in order to eradicate issues facing refugee health, and how these steps will foster long-term international cooperation

When conducting your research:

Although the topic of debate is on refugee health, it is important that you have a firm understanding of the fundamental information describing the overall condition of your country. Research beyond the realm of refugee health not only provides a comprehensive understanding of your country’s domestic and foreign policies, but also helps in visualizing the interwoven connections between refugee health and social, political, cultural, or economic factors that greatly influence the efficiency of health policies. Take note of some of these points mentioned below:

  • Physical geography
    • General topography
    • Coastlines
    • Climate
    • Neighbouring countries
    • Natural resources available
  • Population and Society
    • Ethnic groups
    • Languages spoken
    • Religious divisions
    • Age structure and population growth
      • Life expectancy
      • Mortality and birth rates
    • Education
  • Government and Politics
    • Current government in power
    • Head of State
    • Major political parties
  • Economy
    • GDP (overall, per capita, real growth rate)
    • Labour force, unemployment rates
    • Major exports/imports
    • Major trading partners
  • Health Care
    • Health expenditures
    • HIV/AIDS prevalence
    • Major infectious diseases
    • Levels of malnutrition