As some of you may know, the Refugee Action team recently sent out a questionnaire to get the indispensable input of our supporters.
One of the questions we asked was: What created your interest in refugees?
We also offered our supporters the chance to win a LUSH basket or a book token for the most interesting answer!
Many people took part in the survey, and we are so grateful for this as it really gave us a great deal of insight into how our campaigners think and work.
Posted by Chiara Gnoli
By Jeff Brewster
At first I flatly refused the suggestion of running 10k. Although a keen cyclist I have always found running jarring and tedious. However the idea of joining the lovely Refugee Action team and running for its Destitution Fund overcame my reservations and so I signed up. My motivation was the importance of the cause and a desire to run the 10k in less than 50 minutes.
Posted by Chiara Gnoli
A poem by Blessing, winner of our Refugee Week poetry competition in Portsmouth.
Posted by Esme Peach
Refugee Week is all about celebrating the contribution refugees make to the UK and honouring their personal stories of survival. Often the events organised to mark the week showcase individual talents and skills that are already well-known and much-lauded – like the performers on the main stage at London’s Celebrating Sanctuary for example.
But Refugee Week events can also uncover new voices and spotlight hidden gifts that may have hitherto been obscured by the shadows cast by the asylum process and the pain of the experiences that led people to flee.
Posted by Esme Peach
Following our panel discussion ‘From Casablanca to Calais: exile on celluloid’ at the BFI Southbank to mark Refugee Week, Terence Wright, Professor of Visual Arts at Ulster University, examines the classic film Casablanca and asks whether ‘the refugee movie’ has become a distinct genre.
Posted by Esme Peach
Had a splendid time at the regular Thursday night quiz at the Swan and Rushes last night. I asked Grant (landlord and quizmaster) if he would include some questions about refugees if I sent them to him. He agreed and allowed me to bring in some leaflets and a poster about Simple Acts.
Posted by Aidan Hallet
Refugee Week – here it comes again! This year we’ve got ourselves involved in loads of stuff in Leicester and, halfway through the week, it looks as though it’s all gone really well.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Aidan Hallet
By Chiara Gnoli, Campaigns Volunteer
Why did I start volunteering? That’s a question I’ve asked myself many times! When I first started out, as a volunteer in an NGO in Sarajevo, my motivation was rooted in the deep passion I felt for the Bosnian cause. Landing at Sarajevo International Airport, I could not comprehend how a war could destroy a nation once known for its multi-ethnic and tolerant nature. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Chiara Gnoli
By Selma Seferovic
Sarajevo
Posted by Chiara Gnoli
Lights, camera, Refugee Action! On 10 June, a panel of film luminaries will look back on the portrayal of refugees in film as part of a unique event organised by Refugee Action and Brightwide for Refugee Week. As our event at the BFI Southbank draws near, Samira Ahmed, our panel chair, reflects on some of the films that will be debated in NFT1 on 10 June.
Posted by Esme Peach