Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Refugee Week Is Coming. Get Involved!
STAR isn’t just about supporting refugees, it’s also about celebrating the fact that the UK offers them sanctuary — and Refugee Week is the perfect way to do that! This year it runs from 20-26 June across the UK.
This year the annual celebration of the acceptance of refugees into our society is a bit different. 2011 is the 60th anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention, so events will be tailored to marking six decades of offering refugees safe haven from persecution. To find out exactly
what’s happening in your area, have a look at the official events calendar.
STAR groups across Britain are getting into the act as well, planning events to raise awareness of refugees in U.K. society.
Umbrella Parade starts off Refugee Week in London
Join the Umbrella Parade, to celebrate 60 years of protecting refugees on Sunday 19th June. You will be given a free colourful umbrella, as a symbol of protection for refugees and everyone will parade together through London to the sound of drumming bands. The parade will finish at Celebrating Sanctuary, a fun-filled festival from 2:30-7:00pm on the South Bank in London. With performers ranging from refugee talent currently detained in Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre to traveller troubadours, the event is set to be a massive party in celebration of refugees.
Early events at St George’s
With students busy studying for exams and summer holidays looming, the St. George’s STAR group realised that late June might not be the best time for their Refugee Week activities to have the greatest impact. So they moved them.
Starting on Monday 6th June the St George’s STAR Group is hosting a series of early Refugee Week events. There will be a cake sale and campaign day outside the university library where STAR will be selling sweets and promoting refugee rights. The group will also have a wall of blank paper where people can trace their hands to show their support for refugee week. Finally, in the evening, they will show ‘The Kite Runner,’ a film based on a refugee story.
Then on Tuesday the 7th two speakers will be on hand from 7-9:30pm to raise awareness about refugee issues. Susan Wright from Project London will talk about refugee health in the community and Emma Ginn from Medical Justice will talk about health in detention.
Cardiff chooses cupcakes
Cardiff is celebrating Refugee Week early in sweet style with a Cupcakes and Cast off Festival on June 4th. Performances, a live auction, Indian Head Massage and a recipe book by the Welsh Refugee Council will all feature.
If your group has anything planned for Refugee Week, please get in touch with the STAR National team so we can promote your efforts.
Posted by Communications on 15/06/2011 at 05:58 PM
