Destination Unknown Success
posted: 14/06/2010
George House Trust held a Refugee Week event on Saturday called Destination Unknown at Manchester Museum. This was a powerful and thought provoking exhibition of photographs and digital stories put together by the African HIV Policy Network, followed by a lively debate about the theme of the exhibition: is it inhumane to deport people living with HIV who are on treatments to countries where these treatments are not accessible?
During Refugee Week there are other events in NW England
12th - 19th June 2010
Swot up on your refugee history at the Imperial War Museum North, Salford Quays Bring out the artist in your kids with family workshops or explore the British history of sanctuary, through guided tours.
Escape to Safety Ever wondered what it feels like to flee your country? Then pop down to Swinton Precinct and immerse yourself in an interactive multi-media experience that puts you in the shoes of someone seeking sanctuary. Monday 14 to Friday 18 June, 9.30am to 5.30pm Swinton Precinct Shops, Unit 9-11
Meet the Scientist Refugee Week Special If experiments, mind-bending theories and mad professors are your thing, come and rub brain cells with refugee scientists at the Museum of Science and Industry. Saturday 19 June, 11.30am - 2.30pm, Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester
Refugee World Cup
Sixteen football teams featuring players from all over the world will take part in a Refugee World Cup on Saturday 26 June, 10am–4pm, Salford Sports Village, Littleton Road, Salford M7 3NQ.
Teams including refugees, asylum seekers and British-born players will go head to head in the Seven-a-Side Refugee World Cup Shield.
A fun-packed day of football! Come down and cheer on the teams!
For information and to register please contact Belay Kahsay on 1061 202 8915 or email
More Refugee Week events in NW England including at Liverpool, Bolton and Blackburn
Refugee Week
Simple Acts - do something to show you care in Refugee Week
UK 'welcoming' for Asylum Seekers
A rare survey of the views asylum seekers and refugees in the UK today finds the majority say British people are welcoming, and their most admired UK figures as the Queen, Princess Diana and David Beckham. The charity Refugee Action published the findings to mark the start of Refugee Week today, shows that what most enjoy best about living in Britain are the people, football, the multicultural society and British television.
When asked which characteristics they thought best represented the British people the most popular answers were "friendly", "polite", and "obsessed with football". A quarter of refugees and asylum seekers also see the British as "hard working" and "kind" with only 10% describing them as "reserved" or "complaining". More than half the 327 refugees and asylum seekers interviewed by polling experts Ipsos Mori said they either "strongly agreed" or "tended to agree" the average British person welcomes refugees to the UK.
Human rights and freedom of speech
Refugees in the survey say what they most value about living in Britain are human rights and freedom of speech, with a safe society coming a strong third. Half of those surveyed had refugee status and half were asylum seekers waiting for a decision on their claim living across Britain from a range of countries including Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Afghanistan.
Peter Yoak, a refugee from Sudan who lives in Greater Manchester, told Refugee Action: "I find that most British people I meet are welcoming, friendly and polite. Of course you find a couple who are not like that but that is the same everywhere. As a nation though, I think Brits are tolerant and kind. The Queen is a respected public figure the world over and I am a big admirer of hers," said Yoak. "I am also a huge Beckham fan because he is an ambassador for British football and will lead the country's campaign for England to host the 2018 England World Cup. He is also a good family man."
More understanding needed
However, 45% felt that British people could be more understanding about why they had fled their home country and 19% said they would feel more welcome if people smiled or said hello in the street.
Jill Roberts, Refugee Action's chief executive, said: "This is a very positive poll and challenges a number of perceptions of the refugee experience in the UK. It's clear that whatever issues remain in relation to public policy, the day-to-day experience of individual asylum seekers is broadly defined by public tolerance and acceptance, not suspicion or hostility. Refugees obviously continue to face significant challenges, but the fact that they find British people so welcoming is hugely encouraging."
Media misinformation misleads 1 in 4 Britons
An ICM poll for the British Red Cross for Refugee Week shows one in four British people still believe asylum seekers come to the UK to claim benefits. The ICM survey of the British public show 57% believe asylum seekers receive up to £100 a week in vouchers to cover their living expenses, when the truth is that people only receive accommodation and vouchers worth £35 a week, well below the basic level of Income Support.
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