Refugee Week was first held in 1998 and developed in response to the increasingly negative perceptions of refugees and asylum seekers held by the general public in Britain, fuelled by persistently hostile media coverage of the asylum issue. It is the only UK-wide event that attempts to counter this negative climate, defending the importance of sanctuary and the benefits it can bring to both refugees and host communities.
Refugee Week provides a platform where positive images of refugees can be promoted in order to create a culture of welcome throughout the UK Our ultimate aim is to create better understanding between different communities and to encourage successful integration enabling refugees to live in safety and to continue making a valuable contribution to the UK.
The aims of Refugee Week are:
- To encourage a diverse range of events to be held throughout the UK, which 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 explore new and creative ways of addressing the relevant issues and reach beyond the refugee sector
- To provide information which educates and raises awareness of the reality of refugee experiences
Refugee Week is a unique opportunity for us all to experience and celebrate the rich diversity of refugee communities through theatre, music, dance, film & other events which take place all over the UK and highligt the aims of the Week, as outlined above. Refugee Week is an umbrella participatory festival that allows a wide range of refugee community organisations, voluntary and statutory organisations, schools, student groups and faith based organisations to host events during the week.
Past events have included football tournaments, public talks and exhibitions as well as music and dance festivals, theatre projects, and film screenings. Everyone is welcome to participate in promoting the aims of refugee week – the more the merrier!
Through Refugee Week we aim to provide an important opportunity for asylum seekers and refugees to be seen, listened to and valued.
Join us in celebrating Refugee Week!
Next
