There has been wide ranging coverage of the events of Refugee Week in the media, from local papers to the national press. Many of the stories are listed below, but if you are aware of any others please let us know by emailing c.daley@wmlga.gov.uk !
The Birmingham Post interviewed three refugees who were forced to flee their home countries of Congo and Iraq and are now retraining as health professionals.
The full story can be found at http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2009/06/19/refugees-in-birmingham-tell-their-stories-65233-23919490/
Halesowen News interviewed an Ethiopian woman who fled her homeland as a student aged only 18. She talks of the importance of Refugee Week and her experience as a refugee.
The full article can be found at http://www.halesowennews.co.uk/search/4435936.Finding_refuge_in_the_UK/
The BBC Birmingham website has a page devoted to Refugee Week 2009 in Birmingham, including a video of the Celebrating Sanctuary Festival.
The page can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2009/06/09/refugee_week09_feature.shtml
The Times published a story about The Sanctuary, a garden that was part of BBC Gardeners World at the NEC, Birmingham. The article includes the thoughts of Bishop of Birmingham David Urquhart on asylum, refugees and sanctuary.
For the full story go to http://timescolumns.typepad.com/gledhill/2009/06/no-bed-of-roses-for-asylum-seekers.html
The Birmingham Mail published an article about the Celebrating Sanctuary Festival in Birmingham City Centre on Saturday June 13th.
'Celebrating Communities Together Fun Day' was Dudley's celebration of Refugee Week and was covered in the Dudley News.
To view the article go to http://www.dudleynews.co.uk/search/4451992.Dudley_residents_unite_at_cultural_event/
BBC Coventry and Warwickshire provided week long coverage of Refugee Week with interviews from Coventry Refugee Centre, Coventry Peace House and WMSMP and stories about the experiences of local refugees.
Wolverhampton Community Radio (WCR) also covered Refugee Week with features from Wolverhampton Refugee and Migrant Centre and from their resident African music specialist.
