Supporting Refugee Week

15 Jun 2018

18-24 June 2018

Each year the Diversity Calendar includes a nominated charity. We asked for nominations in the latter part of 2017 and the winner was announced as Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit. This is a voluntary organisation committed to challenging inequality and promoting the rights of refugees, migrants and other minority communities within the region. GMIAU provides immigration legal advice, support and representation to over 5000 people each year, many of whom are fleeing conflict and/or persecution.  

During 2018 we will partner with this organisation to raise awareness of the important work they do. Already in February we invited along two of their service users to talk about their experiences of being LGBT refugees as part of our LGBT History month activities.

One of the many activities they are supporting is Refugee Week. 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, and encourages 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.

Further information:

• To request a hard copy of the Diversity Calendar, please contact equalityanddiversity@manchester.ac.uk