Refugee Week 2023

Refugee Week (June 19th - 25th) takes place annually around World Refugee Day on June 20th. Read on to find out how you can get involved this year.

Since 1998, Refugee Week has focused on celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking asylum, whilst also raising awareness of their struggles. This year is particularly special as it is the 25th anniversary of the festival’s launch!

The 2023 theme is Compassion and seeks to remind us of how we are all interconnected, no matter where we are from. Refugee Week aims to promote the values of empathy and inclusion by encouraging dialogue, fostering friendships, and creating opportunities for refugees to participate fully in their new communities. It highlights the importance of providing access to education, employment, healthcare, and social services to refugees, enabling them to rebuild their lives and contribute to the broader society. It also encourages individuals to view refugees not as mere statistics or headlines but as individuals with unique experiences and aspirations.

There is a huge programme of events to get involved with at this year’s Refugee Week. As an umbrella festival, Refugee Week offers anyone the opportunity to host an event in observance of the international festival.

We are thrilled to be hosting an event at our café, TRAMPOLINE, in Angel focusing on the experiences of refugee women and asylum seekers. The event is free and open to the public, featuring speakers from Bloody Good Period, Women for Refugee Women and Solace Women’s Aid.

Sign up here!

With over 100 million people now displaced, it is important to continue to advocate for the rights of refugees. The International Rescue Committee has called for global action to make this World Refugee Day a turning point in the campaign for dignity for the world’s displaced people. By embracing Refugee Week, we can help to create a more inclusive, empathetic, and welcoming society for all.

Let us celebrate the strength and resilience of refugees and work towards a world where no one is forced to flee their home, and everyone is given the opportunity to thrive.