25 Apr 2024
As part of a worldwide network, one way to show international solidarity is to make our home country a welcoming one. That’s why we’re taking part in Refugee Week this year, and we want you to join us.
What's Refugee Week?
Refugee Week is a UK-wide festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. This year it's running from 7 to 23 June and the theme's "Our Home". It's been around since 1998 and has various partners including Amnesty, Oxfam, the British Red Cross and the UNHCR. It facilities groups and communities to run events and activities that welcome and celebrate refugees.
Last year local action groups took part in and organised various activities including:
- Public discussions and stalls at community events.
- Craft sessions.
- Working with a local Stand Up To Racism group to involve the public with Refugee Week.
- Exploring volunteering opportunities for refugees.
- Helping promote Friends of the Earth's actions on the Immigration Bill.
Walsall Friends of the Earth also used the occasion to celebrate the addition of one of its members Leandra Gebrakedan, who’s a refugee, to its group.
We want to build on that this year.
Why get involved in Refugee Week?
We know that the climate and ecological crises are major drivers of migration, as people leave their homes due to environmental impacts such as droughts or extreme weather events. We also know this is an example of environmental racism, and that standing with refugees is an important part of being an anti-racist network. And while not all refugees are people of colour or will necessarily experience racism, we can still use Refugee Week to make the links between race, climate and migration clear in our communities. And in turn we can use these links and our activity to build a stronger movement.
We're also one of 73 Friends of the Earth networks around the world. Many of our sister organisations work in parts of the world at greater risk of climate and ecological impacts. When we take any international solidarity action, including when we stand with refugees, we're helping build a more just world with them.
Migration is an increasingly live political issue in the UK, whether in relation to the callous policies of our government or the rise in anti-immigration sentiments and the far-right. But we still believe that the majority of the UK public support a compassionate approach to migration. Taking part in Refugee Week is an excellent way to draw out and affirm this support.
How to take part in Refugee Week
There are plenty of ways to celebrate Refugee Week.
- Come along to our Refugee Week training on 13 May.
- Find and take part in events and activities in your area.
- Get in touch with regional organisers to see how you can support their plans.
- Practice simple acts with your group, like a shared meal or film screening, to stand with refugees.
- Use the Refugee Week resources to plan your own event. Get in touch with us for support if you'd like to do this.
Whatever you do, no matter the size, let us know so we can help you celebrate. You can email us or tag us when you post on social media:
- Twitter: @friends_earth
- Instagram: friends_earth
