Exploring visual representations by the UNHCR of the experiences of resettled Syrian refugees in Canada

Abstract

In the growing literature on the visual representations of refugees used by international organisations, only a few studies have examined the representations used specifically to portray the experiences of resettled refugees in the global North. This study’s objective is to address that gap by analysing the use of specific images by UNHCR Canada to illustrate the resettlement of Syrian refugees in that country, in the context of the government’s initiative to resettle 25000 Syrian refugees between 2015 and 2016. Through a content analysis of the visual representations used online by UNHCR Canada, this study aims to explore the specificities of these representations. Results show that preference seems to be given to certain types of representations of refugees, such as images picturing one individual or a small group of easily identifiable persons, images of women and girls taking care of their families, children and infants, and so on. These tendencies in terms of representations may have various effects, including in fostering specific reactions (compassion, generosity, etc.) in viewers. They also serve to present a particular solution over others for the refugees depicted. The analysis aims to explore those tendencies in representation detected in the selected images and their potential effects on viewers.