Refugee Week 2009

Different pasts, shared future

Refugee Week is a UK wide programme of events which celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK.

Refugee Week 2009 will take place from 15 – 21 June.

During Refugee Week hundreds of events exploring refugee experiences take place across the UK. These range from small community and school activities to art exhibitions, political debates, film screenings, conferences, big music festivals, sports events etc…

Anyone can get involved in Refugee Week either by organising or visiting an event or by just spreading the word!

Background of Refugee Week

The purpose of Refugee Week is to deliver positive educational messages that counter fear, ignorance and negative stereotypes of refugees, through arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, and promote understanding about the reasons why people seek sanctuary.

Refugee Week was first held in 1998, and was created in response to the increasingly negative perceptions of refugees and asylum seekers held by the general public in Britain. It remains the only UK-wide event that promotes the importance of sanctuary and the benefits it can bring to both refugees and host communities.

During Refugee Week 2007, between 400 and 450 events took place across the UK, organised by charities, local government, small refugee community organisations, schools, churches, arts organisations, day centres, refugee umbrella networks, regional and national consortiums amongst many others .

Program of Events in Leicester

One World
Identity – See the Person Not the Label

Saturday 13th June 2009   (11:00am-4:00pm) Town Hall Square

A British Red Cross event of united celebration of positive contribution that asylum seekers and refugees bring to the rich tapestry of the city of Leicester. There will be a fusion of talented musicians and performers, drumming up noise for Refugee Week, a big street jam.

*****

Refugee Week Launch

Saturday 13th June 2009  (11:00am-4:00pm)  Town Hall Square

A day of entertainment and information to celebrate the start of Refugee Week 2009.

*****

Health, Well Being and Fun Day

Saturday 13th June 2009  (10:30am-4:00pm) LASS,53 Regent Road

An event that shares information and invites participation, all with delicious food thrown in!
Contact: LASS on 0116 255 9995

*****

Meet and Eat with Leicester City of Sanctuary

Monday 15th June 2009  (5:30pm-7:30pm) Refugee Action

Inviting those with personal experience of the asylum system to get involved in helping us build a culture of hospitality for asylum seekers and refugees. Meet current committee members and share a meal. Those willing to attend to contact Gill Buttery on 07716 073403 or leicester@cityofsanctuary.com by Thursday 11 June 2009 5:00pm.

*****

A Day in my Shoes

Tuesday 16th – Friday 19th June 2009 (10:00am-3:00pm)
Tuesday,Wednesday and Friday (5:00pm-7:00pm) Bishop Street Methodist Church Foyer

A collection of photographs by twenty 18-25 year old asylum seekers and refugees, showing a day in their lives in Leicester. Contact 0116 255 4111

*****

Citizens Eye Community News Agency ‘Media Day’

Wednesday 17th June 2009 (9.30am – 6.00pm)
Learning and Information Library, Bishop Street
Come and find out about Citizens Eye – the Leicester Community news hub.

*****

Soroptomist International Leicester Coffee Morning

Wednesday 17th June 2009  (10.30am – 12.00 noon) 16 Ashfield Road, Leicester

Soroptimist International Leicester is holding a coffee morning in aid of Leicester City of Sanctuary and the Golden Giver Challenge. Admission: £2.50 includes
tea/coffee and biscuits. Sale of homemade cakes, plants and vegetables. All welcome.

*****

Someplace: Readings From Around the World

Wednesday 17th June 2009  (7.30pm – 9.30pm) Central Lending Library, Belvoir Street

Join us in an evening of readings. Specially invited guests will read extracts from their favourite books from around the world, exploring the theme of place and identity. You’ll laugh and cry and hopefully get an insight into what ‘place’ means to different people. All this and free refreshments too.

Contact: steve.beverley@leicester.gov.uk

*****

Arrived!

Thursday 18th June 2009   (12.30pm – 4.30pm) The Guildhall

Using art and creative approaches with young refugees, asylum seekers and other new arrivals. An event for refugee community organisations, agencies and public services, including schools. Lunch included.

To book, please contact Helen at Soft Touch Arts
tel: 0116 270 2706 or email: helen@soft-touch.org.uk

*****

Someplace: A Creative Writing Workshop at De Montfort University

Thursday 18th June 2009   (1.30pm – 3.30pm) De Montfort University

For Refugee Week, De Montfort university have teamed up with Leicester Libraries for a writing workshop to explore the idea of place. Every story takes place someplace, and this is a workshop that will explore stories relating to the places we inhabit in whether in our dreams and memories, or in our everyday experience.
Contact: wbuckingham@dmu.ac.uk

*****

Asylum Dialogues

Friday 19th June 2009  [7.30pm (information stalls and displays from 7pm)
Curve, Rutland Street

What happens when someone who has fled their country to seek refuge in the UK becomes your friend and needs your help? Explore everyday encounters between asylum
seekers and British people, encouraging us to challenge our own preconceptions.
Contact: 0116 242 3595

*****

International Football Tournament

Saturday 20th June 2009   (10.00am – 5.00pm) St. Margaret’s Pastures Sports Centre

Come and support your team! A six-a-side tournament tobe enjoyed by the whole family, so bring them along too!
Fun and games for the children and access to Abbey Park playground nearby!
For further information, contact Mo Odifa or Natasha Stevenson at Refugee Action on
0116 261 6200 / 0116 2616211.

*****

Refugee Drumming Solstice

Sunday 21st June 2009   (2.00pm – 9.00pm) Newarke Houses Museum and Gardens

Celebrating Refugee Day and the end of the week’sactivities across the city. Featuring African Dancers(Liberia & Congo), a huge drumming workshop led by a Ghanaian master drummer and music from local artists, including jazz songstress Mellow Baku. There will be international cuisine and an array of world drums to play.
Contact: 0116 225 4980

More info about Refugee Week
More on the Simple Acts campaign