stories drive empathy, 

Work by Christopher Booker has identified seven-story structures that nearly every story ever told adheres to. They are: Overcoming the Monster, Rags to Riches (or Riches to Rags), Voyage and Return, Comedy, Tragedy, Rebirth and the Quest. UNHCR stories that are designed to drive empathy almost always follow the riches to rags structure. This creates two communication challenges: the first is that people may stop paying attention to the stories the Innovation Service is telling because they follow predictable arcs, and also end predictably. It’s also possible that people who care about refugees are checking out of stories that are deeply sad because they empathise with the experience, but want to avoid feeling unpleasant emotions.

The second is that these riches to rags stories may uphold a master narrative about refugees that portrays them as always in need — and may be less effective in helping the organisation protect refugees. Too few stories show the strength and benefits refugees can bring to new communities, or highlight aspects of refugee life beyond their struggle. This master narrative is easily exploited by those who don’t support refugees. We’ll work with the Innovation Service to test this idea and experiment with new story structures that can help show dimensions and context that can reveal new aspects of the refugee experience, and also connect with emotions like triumph, pride, and curiosity.