London No Borders, Goldsmiths students and other groups are organising a convergence in London between 13 and 18 February.

The Convergence will draw together a plethora of experiences relating to restrictions on free movement and will provide a space for people to share skills and create strategies for further action.

The Convergence has been set up to combat the ever more extreme measures fortifying European borders in the wake of the global economic crisis. Speaking against the inherent racism of border controls, the groups aim to challenge the hierarchy of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ migrants created by points based systems of managed migration.

The event will provide fertile ground for activists to read and challenge the signs of growing injustices in the border system: increasingly inhumane detention and deportation; fatally militaristic interception of migrant boats; systems of surveillance; and the existence of ‘gentleman’s agreements’ between neighbouring countries to police each other’s borders. According to No Borders those on the wrong side of the border are, in many cases, criminalised and prevented from fleeing the injustices wrought by the free flow of capital.

Rich Edwards, of London No Borders ( http://london.noborders.org.uk/) told IRR News: ‘The Convergence will bring together people from across Europe who are united in their resistance to immigration controls. We hope that the Convergence will strengthen networks of resistance and lead to some concrete proposals for joint and autonomous actions in the months and years to come.’

Through seminars and workshops, the No Borders Convergence will provide a vital platform for thought, discussion and strategic action. Days 1-3 of the Convergence will take place in Goldsmiths College in New Cross, days 4-6 will be days of action across London, concluding with the No Borders Carnival starting at midday on Saturday 18 February at St Paul’s.

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FOOTNOTE

If you need accomodation please email: noborderslondon@riseup.net (mailto:noborderslondon@riseup.net).

Venue: Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield

Guest Speakers Include: Phil Bird (Barking & Dagenham College), Mike Harrison (Bromley College) & Caroleen La Pierre (Kirklees College).

* Phil and Mike are ESOL tutors with a keen interest in technology and differentiation. They are currently working on the British Council Nexus project and undertaking the DELTA programme. Caroleen is a Literacy and ESOL specialist.

There will be an exhibition of publishers, examination boards, and books for purchase.

http://www.natecla.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_3325.doc

Providing interpretation is a critical function of most advice services, this course offers an in-depth study of this area
and will provide delegates with theoretical and practical information on how to develop and implement good practice when working with interpreters, as well as providing an overview of the legal framework.

It will also raise awareness of the roles of interpreters and service providers, as well as providing practical advice on how to facilitate effective communication through interpreters. By completing this one-day course participants will gain a practical understanding of:

• The legal framework relevant to the provision of interpreting services

The duties and responsibilities placed on service providers in relation to interpreting services

• The needs of asylum seekers and refugees in relation to interpreting services
• Good practice working with interpreters at different stages of contact with refugees and asylum seekers
• Roles and responsibilities of interpreters and service providers
• Useful advice on cross cultural communication
• How to access trained interpreters
• Current interpreting qualifications

All our courses are delivered by experienced practitioners, ensuring they are relevant, up-to-date and practical.
Looking to train five delegates or more? Enquire about inhouse courses.

To book email training@refugeecouncil.org.uk

All courses cost £109 for registered charities and £175 for all other attendees, or 10% less for early birds!

For a complete list of our current training courses, please visit our website, to make an enquiry contact us.

The course encourages delegates to discuss issues, using real-life case-examples.

On completing the course, participants will have a practical understanding of:

• The impact of cultural background on the age assessment process
• The legislative and policy framework of Children’s Services and the UK Border Agency

Book this training course (opens booking form in a new window).
Ask about the next available scheduled course
Looking to train 6 or more staff? Ask about in-house training

An event focused on building a culture of hospitality for people seeking sanctuary.

* Friday 16 December 2011, 12-4pm

* Garnethill Multicultural Centre, 21 Rose Street, Glasgow G3 6RE

Includes:

* Discussion groups

* Storytelling

* Food

* Music

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FOOTNOTE

For more information, email: glasgow@cityofsanctuary.org (mailto: glasgow@cityofsanctuary.org).

Speakers include:

• Glynis Craig, Senior Solicitor, Legal Enforcement Directorate, EHRC
• Don Flynn, Director, Migrants Rights Network
• Rita Chadha, Chair, Refugee and Migrant Forum of East London
• Dr Phil McCarvill, Senior Research Fellow, IPPR
• Lela Kogbara, Manager, Equalities, Refugee and Migrant Service, Islington Council
• Estelle Worthington, RCO Project Officer, Greater Manchester BME Network
• (Chair) Amanda Ariss, Chief Executive, Equality and Diversity Forum

The conference is on Thursday 10 November in central London.

The standard registration fee is £225 + VAT. Westminster Briefing is offering a special rate for Equality and Diversity Forum (EDF) members and non-governmental observers (please state EDF affiliation when booking).

Click here for details

Click here for information about EDF’s project on ‘Refugees, migrants and the equality agenda’

On 24/10/11, first day back to school after half term, activities as follows: I would like schools/pupils to come and join in our Cultural Diwali Workshop activities event ie make their own Clay divas, create & design Diwali cards, make Diwali envelopes and colour rangoli patterns for only £2.50 each. The City Mayor – Peter Soulsby will be attending to plants bulbs in our gardens at Newarke Houses Museum on the day with school children, and present will be the Press ie Leicester Mercury, FACE magazine, East Midlands Weather Team so that the Children can  have ago at forecasting the weather on the day, there is also an Asian Kathak dance teacher who will teach traditional dance with musical instruments tabla and sitar players.

This will give an opportunity for the pupils take part and awareness in the traditional culture event and also plant in our gardens with the City Mayor.

I would appreciate if you could kindly display the attached poster on your notice boards.

To book your reservations on 0116 2254980 or email: priti.narshi@leicester.gov.uk

FREE downloads ! FREE Listens !

Come and enjoy all the work online at http://refugemusic.co.uk/competition

On World Mental Health Day 2011 (10th October) Refuge Launch the brand new Charity Mental Health EP ‘Open Minds’ Made up of talented work from all over the country.

Join Leicester BBC presenter and comic Jim Smallman and Steve Huison of ‘The Full Monty’ and Coronation Street in shattering the stigmas around mental health. Fantastic on the night raffle with prizes including a Guitar, Computer, Family tickets to Cadburys World and much much more

£10 adults
£5 Concessions

The Y theatre Leicester
7 East Street
Leicester
LE1 6EY
box office 0116 255 7066

All money raised on the night and through sales of the EP go directly to Charity

Help change views of mental health for the better …

book online through site
http://refugemusic.co.uk/competition

Peter Hirst
SISO Development Worker
Advance Support
5 Faraday Court
Conduit St
LE2 OJN
07734 804 286
www.advancesupport.org.uk
www.s-i-s-o.org.uk www.refugemusic.co.uk<http://www.refugemusic.co.uk/>

16 Rights | 16 Cities | 16 Weeks

BIHR is running a free-to-attend National Human Rights Tour, visiting 16 UK cities from September to December 2011. We will celebrate the Human Rights Act, look at how human rights relate to the Coalition’s plans, and address human rights issues both nationally and specific to each region that we visit.

The towns and cities we shall visit are Belfast (date TBC), Birmingham (29^th Sept), Brighton (18^th Oct), Bristol (15^th Sept), Cardiff (17^th Nov), Derby (27^th Sept), London (13^th Dec), Manchester (8^th Sept), Newcastle (4^th Oct), North Wales (Mold – 9^th Nov), Norwich (1^st Nov), Oxford (13^th Sept), Plymouth (date TBA), Scotland (2 events, TBA), and Sheffield (13^th Oct).

Six road shows are being funded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) through BIHR’s ‘Human Rights in the Community Project’. These are Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Manchester, Newcastle, and Sheffield. They will follow a similar agenda to the other events with the addition of specific information on the Community Project, input from the official partner, EREN (English Regions Equality Network), and presentations from participating pilot organisations.

For further details, and to book onto an event, please visit:

http://www.bihr.org.uk/events/bihr-national-human-rights-tour-information-page#format