Abstract
This paper derives from ongoing research assessing the adjustment process for Turkish refugees in Canada affiliated with the Turkish-based Hizmet movement (a faith-inspired civil society movement). To date, I have conducted semi-structured interviews with 27 individuals who have sought political asylum in Canada because of fear of persecution and jailing in Turkiye due to their Hizmet affiliation. Many Hizmet members now in Canada have worked globally in movement-affiliated schools, hospitals, and charity/dialogue organizations; attained high levels of education/professional status; and speak proficient English. A primary research question guiding the overall project considers whether such experiences and educational/professional strengths, in addition to movement philosophies and practices that encourage Hizmet members to interact meaningfully with local communities in which they live, serve as assets in integrating into life in Canada. Utilizing the concept of salutogensis—origins of health and assets for health—I surmise that qualities of resiliency and adaptability found among Hizmet refugees in Canada derive largely from a strong sense of coherence (SOC) fostered by work within Hizmet that allows members to view life as Canadian refugees as more comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful, the three primary components of SOC. This study examines the degree to which strong educational/professional skill sets, combined with a mindset and life approach cultivated by the movement’s philosophy of service and its emphasis on inclusiveness, dialogue-building, and civil society engagement, serve Hizmet refugees well and afford them a smoother process in creating new lives for themselves and their families in Canada.
Presenters
Elise Lo Bueinstructor, Capital Scholars Honors Program, University of Illinois Springfield, Illinois, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Refugees, Political Asylum, Hizmet, Salutogenesis, Sense of Coherence
