Frequently Asked Questions

Refugee Week is a UK-wide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, and encourages a better understanding between communities. It started in 1998 and was a direct reaction to the hostility that was reflected in the media and in society generally towards refugees and asylum seekers.

There is no specific theme for Refugee Week but we encourage event organisers to organise events around the idea that Refugee Week is a space of encounters between different communities and an opportunity to use more creative ways to bring refugee experiences closer to wider audiences.

Refugee Week 2008 will take place from 16th to 22nd June.

• To encourage a diverse range of events to be held throughout the UK, that facilitate positive encounters between refugees and the general public in order to encourage greater understanding and overcome hostility
• To showcase the talent and expertise that refugees bring with them to the UK
• To provide information which raises awareness of the reality of refugee experiences

Refugee Week is a multi-agency project, managed by the Refugee Week Team which consists of the UK Coordinator for Refugee Week, Welsh and Scottish Co-ordinators, and a small number of volunteers with specific skills. Different regions, areas and towns have their own Refugee Week Steering and Operational Groups which manage and co-ordinate Refugee Week activities in their areas. To find out who is the main contact in your area look at the National and Regional Contacts page.

There are many ways you can get involved in Refugee Week. You can organise an event, volunteer, donate money or help to promote Refugee Week in your local area. For more information on how to get involved please visit the Get Involved page.

The National and Regional Contacts page provides details of regional points of contact involved in organising Refugee Week around the UK.

Hundreds of events will be taking place all over the country during Refugee Week 2008. Using the Events Calendar on the website you can search for events happening in your area and throughout the country by date, location and event type.

Refugee Week has a wide range of promotional and publicity materials to help you promote the week as well as your event.

There are a number of downloadable resources available on the website such as logos, e-banners, posters all of which can be used to promote your events. You can aso get hold of printed materials such as balloons, badges, banners and T-Shirts from our online shop!

There is a range of information available from the Refugee Week team all of which can be viewed on the Info Centre and News sections, including:

• Facts about refugees – a downloadable ‘fact pack’
• History and contribution of refugees – information pack of the history of refugees in the UK.
• Positive Images - a collection of case studies celebrating achievements of UK refugees.
• Press Area – information on the Refugee Week media campaign, downloadable press releases and an archive of press coverage from previous years.
• Downloadable resources – a selection of free downloadable resources. Packs range from advice for holding Refugee Week events to raising refugee issues with young people.
• Useful links – a list of links to refugee community and arts organisations, funding bodies and campaigning groups.
• Newsletters – join our e-newsletter and keep up to date with all the latest Refugee Week news.

You can also get advice and ideas for holding Refugee Week events in the Events section of the website. This section includes:

• Examples of Refugee Week Events - A diverse selection of past events that were successful in engaging new audiences.
• Refugee Week Toolkit – A guide to organising events, from fundraising to using the media.
• Ideas for Events – A selection of past event examples broken down into different categories, such as Arts and Culture, Educational etc.

Refugee Week is a great chance for young people from a range of backgrounds to get involved and do something positive and creative. One way is to help children and young people organise an event in their school, college or local community to raise awareness of refugee issues. For more ideas of things you could do with young people download our Ideas for Schools pack from the Events section of the website.

If you are interested in exploring the issues in more depth with young people there are lots of lesson activity and workshop ideas in the resource packs Global Communities: Learning about Refugee Issues which are also available to download from the Info Centre.

Once you have an event plan and have completed a budget then you are ready to begin thinking about ways to fund it. Fundraising can range from formally applying for money from local government and charitable trusts to organising one-off events such as supermarket bag-packing and sponsored runs.

For more information on getting funding for your event see the Refugee Week Toolkit which can be found in the Advice and Ideas for Organising Events section of the website.

You can now enter the details of your event directly into the Refugee Week Events Calendar on the website ensuring your event is publicised and promoted to anyone searching for events in their area.

You can also promote your event by distributing Refugee Week promotional materials to local agencies (such as libraries, leisure centres etc) and through your contacts.

How can I evaluate my event?

It is really important to evaluate your event as this helps us to monitor the types of events that are taking place around the UK, the main audience attending and the quality of the event. We can also use this information to promote good practice and share good ideas with other event organisers. Visit the Evaluate your Event page for more information on evaluating your event.

Download our Promotional Pack for further information about Refugee Week!