What is Refugee Week?
Refugee Week is a UK-wide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, and encourages a better understanding between communities. Refugee Week 2010 takes place from 14 to 20 June.
Click here for information on the background of Refugee Week.
What happens during the week?
Every year during Refugee Week hundreds of events are organised across the UK. In 2009, there were over 500 small and large events, ranging from big music festivals and art exhibitions to political debates, film screenings, conferences, school activities, sports and community events etc.
Check out What's Hot this Refugee Week!
Is there a theme for the events?
The main focus of our activities is Simple Acts which is about inspiring people to use small, everyday actions to change perceptions of refugees.
It consists of 20 actions that can be done by anyone and that encourage us to learn and do more with refugees. With every person who joins the campaign and does a small thing with and for refugees, we get a little closer to removing barriers between communities and to creating the kind of world we all want to live in.
We believe that by encouraging lots of people to do these simple, seemingly insignificant acts – read a book, tell a story or share a dish – we can begin to make lasting changes to the world around us.
It sounds simple - and it is!
Find out more about Simple Acts
The Refugee Week slogan is Different Pasts, Shared Future.
We encourage Refugee Week event organisers to organise events around the idea that Refugee Week is a space of encounters between different communities and an opportunity to use more creative ways to bring refugee experiences closer to wider audiences.
How can I get involved?
You can show your support for Refugee Week by
- Joining the Simple Acts campaign - do something simple to change perceptions of refugees.
- Organising an event in your local area - see our Advice and Ideas for Organising Events section for more information.
- Visiting an event in your area - check out the Events Calendar to find an event near you.
- Supporting existing activities by volunteering or donating - to find out more about this or to get further information, please visit the Get Involved section of our website.
The Refugee Week Team
The Refugee Week Team consists of the UK Coordinator for Refugee Week, Welsh and Scottish Co-ordinators, an Online and Marketing Officer and a small number of volunteers with specific skills. It leads in the central planning, coordination and promotion of national activities and initiatves that take place or culminate within Refugee Week.
The Refugee Week Team is also the central UK resource providing information and marketing materials, guidance, planning and support to other participant organisations in UK cities and regions.
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