Can one horrible photo change refugee policies around the world? It would appear so.

In just two days, the photo of young Aylan al-Kurdi has spread virally via Facebook and Twitter. But unlike so many other social media phenomenon, this one might have staying power.

It is already having a profound political impact in capitols around the world.

Can one horrible photo change refugee policies around the world? It would appear so.”

Canada holds national parliamentary elections in October, and the conservative government of Stephen Harper has come under fire for its stingy, unwelcoming stance toward refugees. The minister in charge of refugee issues has suspended his campaign. Meanwhile, the opposition NDP yesterday released a five point plan yesterday, calling for the immediate resettlement of 10,000 Syrian refugees and, significantly, lifting the cap on so-called “private sponsorships,” — which was the kind of visa denied to the al Kurdi family.