Actively welcoming asylum seekers and refugees

By Elisha Shamba

The Thesaurus dictionary defines the word ’sanctuary’ as a place of refuge, comfort, protection, security and safeguarding from danger or hardship.

Leicester City of sanctuary is a movement to build a culture of hospitality for asylum seekers and refugees in Leicester and its surrounds. The movement seeks to build on Leicester’s proud tradition of welcoming new communities form around the world by reaching out to those who have had to leave behind their families, homes, jobs and everything that was familiar to them because of persecution, brutality, discrimination, abuse, armed conflicts, exploitation, intimidation and/or torture.

Asylum Seekers and Refugees are normal human beings who bring with them valuable experience, strengths, talents and skills which, once given the opportunity can be beneficial to any community or society. Sadly enough once they land on the shoves of UK, they are treated with hostility, mistrust, resentment, prejudice and more abuse and exploitation. They are the most marginalised groups in British society.

“We were born to unite with our fellow men and to join in community with the human race…..” This powerful inspirations quote by Marcus Cicero, one of Rome’s greatest orators and philosopher has a far- reaching meaning. Indeed a community needs a sense of caring and tolerance; respect for human co-existence and talent; recognition and celebration of diverse cultures and traditions and fostering cohesion.

The key to successful integration lies in building a strong community in which refugees are welcome, respected and safe and have an equal role and opportunity in society that empowers them to contribute to the social, cultural and economic life of the UK.

Leicester City of Sanctuary defines a place or city of sanctuary as one in which communities recognise and have an understanding of what it means to be an asylum seeker or a refugee and an appreciation of the difficulties which these people may have in overcoming their personal traumas. In a city of Sanctuary asylum seekers and refugees and their host communities should be supported in overcoming any tensions, harassment, racism and persecution. Also host communities should receive support to enable them to integrate asylum seekers and refugees.

The Movement aims to:-

-increase support for asylum seekers and refugees who are in the city and challenge negative attitudes towards them.
-promote informed media coverage
-work with partners and to link with relevant strategies priorities for the city of Leicester.
-share ideas and experience of good practice
-develop opportunities for fund- raising, networking and community events

A project called Golden Giver Challenge was launched by the Movement during Refugees Week 2008. It is a challenge to get together with family friends, colleagues, classmates or groups etc. and over a period of a year donate 50 bags of food and other essentials supplies to the British Red Cross. 12 Months after registration date, a member(s) receive a certificate as a record of how well they did and as a token of appreciation. The Project needs more people to get involved in its running and in taking it to schools and other groups.

For more on Leicester city of sanctuary visit: http://www.cityofsanctuary.com/leicester