04/12/2011 v1
One-page position paperPDF printable version
What our treatment of this refugee community says about us
WE HAVE FOCUSED ON THE MONTAGNARD community because it represents one of the oldest refugee groups in Greensboro and most likely, the largest. Montagnards are from the indigenous tribes of Vietnam that fought alongside American forces during the Vietnam War. Although they have been with us a long time, we have not yet envisioned or created a good system for responding to their needs and interests. We recognize that the experiences of refugees are an integral part of our community. As such, their problems are our problems.
• We need to work harder to serve the Montagnard group well and create a vision and system that are models for other refugee groups coming here.
• Everyone acknowledges the current system is unsustainable. We believe refugees are not the problem but an important part of Greensboro's future. As such, they must be engaged now in the important business of community building.
• We think the time is ripe to consolidate and leverage our collective knowledge, to clearly explain a new vision, and build a sustainable model for the future.
UNTAPPED KNOWLEDGE AND TALENT
• No media, programming, educational information, etc. in native Montagnard languages produced here
• Experienced farmers and agriculturalists rarely find employment that uses their expertise or plant knowledge
• Skilled craftsmen and artists lack basic materials and space to practice their work
• Talented young people are not targeted for college recruitment, counseling or scholarships
• Elderly language experts are not employed to teach native languages or promote culture
• Known health workers such as doctors and nurses have not been enlisted to solve community health problems.
WHY TOMORROW ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH
• Known drug, alcohol, domestic violence, gang and other problems
• Most live in poverty or near poverty decades after being resettled here
• Known chronic health problems associated with lifestyle and diet
• Poor communications with the community
• Most unable to access good healthcare for all family members
• Many suffer from culture and language isolation
• Montagnards have been here since 1986. We should be doing better to assist them and all refugees
COMMUNITY BUILDING MEANS EQUAL PARTNERSHIP
• Respect Montagnard values and interests
• Replace individual “self-sufficiency” with individual and community “empowerment”
• Involve community on all levels of decision-making as equal partners
• Adequately fund Montagnard Dega Association and Montagnard Human Rights Organization
• Use the wellness of our largest and oldest refugee community as a direct reflection of our collective community building skills, our vision and commitment to improving refugee lives.
• We need to work harder to serve the Montagnard group well and create a vision and system that are models for other refugee groups coming here.
• Everyone acknowledges the current system is unsustainable. We believe refugees are not the problem but an important part of Greensboro's future. As such, they must be engaged now in the important business of community building.
• We think the time is ripe to consolidate and leverage our collective knowledge, to clearly explain a new vision, and build a sustainable model for the future.
UNTAPPED KNOWLEDGE AND TALENT
• No media, programming, educational information, etc. in native Montagnard languages produced here
• Experienced farmers and agriculturalists rarely find employment that uses their expertise or plant knowledge
• Skilled craftsmen and artists lack basic materials and space to practice their work
• Talented young people are not targeted for college recruitment, counseling or scholarships
• Elderly language experts are not employed to teach native languages or promote culture
• Known health workers such as doctors and nurses have not been enlisted to solve community health problems.
WHY TOMORROW ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH
• Known drug, alcohol, domestic violence, gang and other problems
• Most live in poverty or near poverty decades after being resettled here
• Known chronic health problems associated with lifestyle and diet
• Poor communications with the community
• Most unable to access good healthcare for all family members
• Many suffer from culture and language isolation
• Montagnards have been here since 1986. We should be doing better to assist them and all refugees
COMMUNITY BUILDING MEANS EQUAL PARTNERSHIP
• Respect Montagnard values and interests
• Replace individual “self-sufficiency” with individual and community “empowerment”
• Involve community on all levels of decision-making as equal partners
• Adequately fund Montagnard Dega Association and Montagnard Human Rights Organization
• Use the wellness of our largest and oldest refugee community as a direct reflection of our collective community building skills, our vision and commitment to improving refugee lives.
