Over the past few years, hundreds of people have drowned in the Mediterranean attempting to reach Europe. Fleeing conflict, oppression or poverty in the Middle East or Africa, these desperate people are prepared to pay over the odds to people-smugglers and risk everything in their search for a better life.
We've brought together a selection of links below, which give background information, facts, figures and real-life stories, and may be suitable for use in class to get students talking about these issues. However we suggest that you check first that these resources would work with your students.
Migrants at Sea: This detailed blog follows migration by sea from Africa or towards the Middle East with up to date statistics and links
Open Migration: Clear infographics showing the statistics surrounding the issue of migrants at sea
Al Jazeera: Thousands of people are being swallowed by the Mediterranean - map shows the main routes and frequency of incidents.
BBC: Can Europe stop migrants dying in the Mediterranean? - Four 'expert witnesses' give their perspective.
Guardian: Death at sea YouTube clip (9 minutes) - a group of five friends from Syria film their perilous and tragic voyage to Europe.
The Day: Horror in Med highlights global migrant woe - news website for schools, includes discussion ideas.
The Economist: Everything you want to know about migration across the Mediterranean - useful overview.
New York Times Learning Network: Tragedy in the Mediterranean: Learning About Europe’s Immigration Crisis - includes teaching ideas.
Views of the World: Migrants at sea - background information and map showing the EU countries resized according to the total arrivals by sea 20016-2014.
Save the Children is focussing on the children lost in these disasters, and is campaigning for the EU to 'Restart the Rescue' - ie: bring back search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean, which were stopped last November.
Amnesty International supporters got themselves zipped into 200 body bags on Brighton beach to highlight the issue.
You could use our Ten critical questions approach to explore this issue, or read our feature article on migration and trafficking for further information.
Perhaps your students could discuss this tweet by Gapminder founder Hans Rosling:
Or this cartoon:
See also 'African Migrant's Compass' by Brandan Reynolds on the Cartoon Movement website.
In this 'Factpod', Hans Rosling gives his explanation 'why boat refugees don't fly':
Number drowned in mediterranean in April approaches 100/day. That's like the peak of Ebola in Sept2014. If number match, actions must match!
— Hans Rosling (@HansRosling) April 19, 2015
Or this short poem by Nayyirah Waheed:
Or this cartoon:
See also 'African Migrant's Compass' by Brandan Reynolds on the Cartoon Movement website.
In this 'Factpod', Hans Rosling gives his explanation 'why boat refugees don't fly':
