Refugee Week takes place every year across the world in the week around World Refugee Day on the 20 June. In the UK, Refugee Week is a nationwide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, acknowledge the creativity and resilience of people seeking sanctuary and encourage a better understanding between communities.
Refugee Week started in 1998 as a direct reaction to hostility in the media and society in general towards refugees and asylum seekers. An established part of the UK’s cultural calendar, Refugee Week is now one of the leading national initiatives working to counter this negative climate, defending the importance of sanctuary and the benefits it can bring to both refugees and host communities.
Lately, we have been receiving Ukrainian refugees due to the ongoing war on Ukraine. It was heartening that ahead of Refugee Week, last Saturday, the Luton branch of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain invited all to join in a Peace Walk in Wardown Park as a sign of solidarity for world and global peace and for the safety, well-being and prosperity of Ukraine.
In a statement, Prof Zafar Khan, Chair of Luton Council of Faiths said, “It is also worth bearing in mind that refugees are not a single group. They have different experiences, because of race, class, gender, sexuality, age and immigration status. For example it has been highlighted that the Ukrainian refugees’ experiences will be different from those who are from the non-European countries. Fighting discrimination and disinformation, and countering nationalism and xenophobia therefore are crucial to ensure we nurture the space, wherever we are, to continually respond to the refugee crisis in the most amicable way.”
It is indeed a matter of pride that Luton now has achieved a ‘City of Sanctuary’ status. Following a recent networking meeting of the Luton City of Sanctuary Group, its Convener Jon Berry said, “It was great to see so many individuals and organisations represented at our meeting. There are now 55 contributors to the Luton City of Sanctuary activities. Our main purpose remains to form an active network of support, resources and knowledge.”
Should you/your organisation wish to join in supporting refugees and asylum seekers, please email info@luton.cityofsanctuary.org
This year’s Refugee Week theme is ‘Healing’. Sr Maire Hayes, Spirituality of Justice partner at GRASSROOTS Programme, said, “Healing means recovering from a painful experience or situation; no-one understands this better than those who have lost their homes and had to build new lives from scratch. We have much to learn from refugees about holding on to hope when going on seems impossible. Those going through the asylum system know that healing is an ongoing process, made harder by poverty, housing difficulties and the threat of being detained or deported.”
“Whoever and wherever we are, let’s hope we can overcome any political divisions and join together in commemorating the ethos of the Refugee Week 2022. Let’s imagine a world where healing replaces harm, and a desire to care for those in need, is kindled as part of our shared humanity.”
