Refugee Week events in Exeter

Encouraging people to take a positive look at asylum and celebrating the contributions of refugees in the UK forms the basis of Refugee Week. 

The University of Exeter is hosting and supporting events until March 13 to bring awareness to individuals seeking sanctuary in Devon and around the world.

Students have arranged a series of free events 9 – 13 March at the University’s Streatham Campus. 

The Red Cross will talk about their work in supporting refugees and asylum seekers on 9 March, in the Forum and on the 10 March they will present a talk ‘Trading in Flesh: Human Trafficking in the South West’ 6pm, in the Amory Moot Room.  The National co-ordinator of the City of Sanctuary movement in the UK, Tiffy Allen will be discussing the challenges that asylum seekers and refugees face in the UK, and what we can do to help. The ‘Discrimination, Degradation and Destitution’ event led by the City of Sanctuary movement is on Wednesday 11 March at 7pm in the Forum Alumni Auditorium.

Yasmin Millican, a fourth year studying History and International Relations is one of the student co-ordinators of the event. She said: “Through the various events we have planned during Refugee Week, we hope to raise the profile of those individuals who are seeking sanctuary here in Exeter and to both support and celebrate these groups. Not everyone realises the number of refugees and asylum seekers who live in Exeter, some of whom are struggling with destitution and discrimination practically on our doorsteps. Beyond this, however, many are well integrated into local society and are making a wealth of positive contributions to the community.”

The end of the week involves contributions from Amnesty International who will be encouraging people to join the campaign to get the UK to live up to its international refugee obligations. Myth busting will also play a role in providing a clearer understanding of the lives and experiences of refugees and asylum seekers at an event on Friday which will also provide the opportunity to meet members of the community of refugees in Exeter.

Photo: thomas koch / Shutterstock.com