Why?

(Try to find out what feelings and needs are alive in the other person: empathic resonance)

Are you feeling irritated/angry because you like to have order/stability/financial security?
I guess what you’re saying is that you are irritated/angry because you think there will be an economic problem with asylum seekers who have come to Europe. You like to have financial stability/order/ security, is that what you are saying?

---

What if?

(‘Mirror questions’: how would it be if you were standing in the shoes of that person)

Do you know people who have crossed deserts and seas, exposed themselves to life hazards and left their own families? Can you imagine what they have gone through?
Can you imagine what it will do to you when you were an asylum seeker, far away from your country and family?

---

Self-reflection

(Questions you can ask yourself in silence to support yourself in understanding the other person)

How important is order/stability/financial security for me?
When do I need order/stability/financial security?
How do I feel when this need is not fulfilled?

---

Empowerment

(More information on the issue and tips how to explore the problem and continue the discussion)

The reasons for immigration and asylum are many and varied:
- Refugees who flee out of war regions
- Asylum seekers who suffer under discrimination or are threatened because of their faith, their political views
- People who want to find work to have an income at all or to improve their income

There are currently over 65 million refugees worldwide due to wars, humanitarian, climatic disasters or political persecution. These are more refugees than ever before. 90 percent of the refugees live for years in neighbouring regions and wait near their home for a return.
The refugee tragedy at our borders is a daily reminder of the consequences of centuries of exploitation, for example of African countries, in maintaining our prosperity. International corporations and world trade are destroying agricultural structures and the regional economy. Climate change is largely caused by the industrialised countries. There is no reason to scold "economic refugees". Their desire to participate in social prosperity is understandable.
Watch a story of some of the asylum seekers: https://www.tellingtherealstory.org/en/about/