The refugee boat hero who saved a child and stirred a continent | Melissa Fleming | TEDxThessaloniki

“Everyday we listen to harrowing stories of people fleeing for their lives, across dangerous borders, and unfriendly seas”. The Syrian war has driven almost 4 million people over the borders; over 7 million are on the run inside the country; over half the Syrian population has been forced to flee.
In a powerful, moving talk, Melissa Fleming of the UN’s refugee agency shares the story of Doaa, a 19 year old Syrian refugee that made the decision along with her fiancé to take the risk of crossing the Mediterranean Sea in order to make it to the promise of Europe.
Melissa Fleming asks why so little is being done to stop the wars, the persecution and the poverty that is driving so many people to the shores of Europe. The stark fact remains, no refugee would be on those dangerous boats if they could thrive where they are and no one would put their life savings in the hands of those notorious smugglers if there was a legal way to apply to migrate.
(Video edited by Pnevma Productions)
Melissa Fleming is a leading communications professional, working to draw attention, drive empathy and generate support for the world’s 50 million refugees and displaced people. As Head of Communications and Chief Spokesperson at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), she leads media teams to bring news and stories of people on the run to the public consciousness.
She is a champion for public communication through social media, including on her own Twitter account. She also leads an innovative multi-media production team producing refugee stories of survival and resilience. She believes in the power of public speaking to move audiences. Her TED talk, “Let’s help refugees thrive, not just survive,” has been viewed over 700,000 times around the world and has been subtitled in 20 languages. She is also co-organizer of TEDxPlaceDesNations in Geneva. She writes a regular column for the Guardian and is a contributor to UNHCR’s blog.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@PhamAnhKhoa118]

Over 5 years have passed but only a bit higher than 60.000 people have stopped at this speech to see what has been happening to our world to day! I can not believe it !!!???

[@karimDubat]

This is the reality which happens each and every day but few witness the real scene. I hope change will come with a positive life for refugees. Melissa Fleming's words made me cried and cried.

[@PAXPRESSAGENCY]

Excellent presentation by Melissa Fleming!

[@user-dq2ym1nn9k]

Melissa "We Own the Science" Fleming. WEF PUPPET

[@noaraazamel3864]

This is my sister and I am very proud of her ❤❤

[@eileeneaton1414]

I've just read her story, unbelievable story, tell your sister that I'm so inspired by her and I wish you all well.

[@JR-mi2xh]

Welcome Doaa to europe. WELCOME

[@Maiae83]

Inmigration and emigration have been constant in the world history. Is a shame that many people suffers of insecurity, all people deserves to live in peace.

[@bonsoir1984]

as much as i sympathize with those poor immigrants and those who are still on the way and will be on the way, this TED talks resort way too much on EMOTIONS. while i do admit i like those kind of emotions, i read books, watch movies, rummage through internet, just to get a dose of those. Europe, as a whole, are hesitate over those issues for certain REASONS which, in my humble opinion, are more important to address if we want to stop those kind of human sufferings.

[@georgiamussuris3246]

vincent I think it is not emotionalism but reality! So many die everyday that we are not informed about .... I would rather know than live in a lillyland...

[@sndrkfhbr9344]

vincent I think that none of these reasons is as relevant as the fact that these people will die if we don't support them.

[@bereketgoitom9119]

you are brave I appreciate you

[@rizer7174]

"500 people crammed onto that boat" "300 below, 500 on top" Seems legit

[@bobmario8520]

We fed long time ago

[@builderbros554]

cool

[@victoriaajang5818]

If it so it will be diffcult with out expernce.

[@victoriaajang5818]

Because they have no one

[@angilinagraygray6140]

not all are fleeing war.Most are here for our financial assistance.

[@abdullahaborgobh4713]

Angilina Gray Gray really? but how did you find out?

[@creedstat]

These people can't get along in their own countries ya let's let them in ours see how that goes....