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Here you can find out information about the theme and ideas to be easily applied to your events.

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"To me, a home is where you feel loved, safe, and cherished."- Malala Yousafzai The theme for Refugee Week 2024 is "Our Home". From the places we gather to share meals to our collective home, planet earth: everyone is invited to celebrate what our Our

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Refugee Week Wales Social Media & Website 

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Refugee Week Wales Social Media & Website 

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Welsh Refugee Council currently pays Proper Design £20/Month for Hosting & Support of Refugee Week Wales Website. Designed in 2018 the Refugee Week Wales Website collates various events happening across Wales during Refugee Week. The Website requires a Tidy-Up/Refresh with suggestions including integrating a Map within the Website. RW is also promoted by the following Social Media accounts:

Refugee Week Wales Instagram (Active)

Refugee Week Wales Twitter (Inactive)

Refugee Week Wales Facebook (Inactive)

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Mid Wales:

Powys

Ceredigion

North Wales:

Isle of Anglesey

Conwy

Denbighshire

Flintshire

Gwynedd

Wrexham

South East Wales:

Cardiff

Monmouthshire

Newport

Torfaen

Blaenau Gwent

Caerphilly

South West Wales:

Bridgend

Merthyr Tydfil

Rhondda Cynon Taf

Vale of Glamorgan

Neath Port Talbot

Swansea

Carmarthenshire

Pembrokeshire

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Monday 17 June

Tuesday 18 June

Wednesday 19June

Thursday 20 June

Friday 21 June

Saturday 22 June

Sunday 23 June

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Are you hosting an event? Tell us about it

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Are you hosting an event? Tell us about it

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Main contact:

Sabiha Azad

Coalition Coordinator

sabiha@wrc.wales

coalition@wrc.wales

Sabiha is responsible for coordinating activity within the Coalition. If you need any support please get in touch. This can range from practical, admin or even exploring funding bids with you.

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Agenda:

brainstorming session exploring ideas for collaboration, how to best work together and reflect on learning from last years Refugee Week.

Reflections on Refugee Week – WRC Perspective

Albert (WRC) provided an overview of Refugee Week in Wales alongside some reflections on Refugee Week 2023:

Refugee Week (RW) is a week-long festival celebrating refugees across the world. As outlined in the RW Theory of Change Document RW performs several functions including as Celebration/ Healing /Education & Movement-Building. It runs from 17/06 to 23/06. This Year the Theme is Our Home

RW is an Umbrella Festival – Meaning there is no Single Organizer of RW. Nonetheless, WRC plays a key role in promoting events within Wales whereas Refugee Week UK (Led by Counterpoints Arts) selects the Yearly Theme as well as Resources to help Organize Events.

As outlined in the Refugee Week Wales 2023 Deep-dive the following were identified as Common Themes: Organizational Uncertainty, Weak Brand Identity, Closed Audience & Limited Legacy of Refugee Week

Defining the scope of the group

Sabiha (Coalition) proposed creating Regional Working Groups to promote Refugee Week across Wales. The Group discussed this idea:

Athina (WRC) commented that events organized via Local Authority were more likely to receive funding citing the UK Shared Prosperity Fund & other funding from Local Authorities.

Athina also suggested devising Template Forms for Refugee Week Bids.

Leyla (CoS) & Emma (WSMP) emphasized the importance of organizing events across all 22 Local Authorities. Emma (WSMP) was happy to lead on the approach to LA and linking with Community Cohesion Officers.

Emma (WSMP) also emphasized the importance of involving Schools & Reset Groups across Wales as well as the possibility of incorporating the Great Get Together (21/06 -23/06).

Concerns shared:

Organisational certainty: The group raised concerns that we need a central point to help coordinate all activity to prevent duplication.

Limited legacy: what do we do after Refugee Week to build upon this activity.

Closed Audience: how do we involve wider society.

Weak brand identity: can we create templates with refugee week logo to help groups do this activity.

Proposed working groups:

Region based

Targeting local authorities

Existing OR Planned Events

a) Monday 19th June

Nation of Sanctuary Awards (WRC) @ Cornerstone Church

b)Tuesday 20th June

c) Wednesday 21st June

d) Thursday 22nd June

VOICES Takeover of Cardiff University @ Centre for Student Life (To Be Confirmed)

e) Friday 23rd June

f) Saturday 24th June

Refugee Week Showcase (Cardiff Council) @ Cardiff Central Library

Alongside the Events already penciled in the calendar colleagues briefly discussed existing collaborations including:

Arts & Crafts Workshops (WRC X Arts Council)

Panel Discussion Event (WRC X Artes Mundi)

Ongoing Partnership between WRC X Royal College Music & Drama

Although colleagues agreed on the importance of involving Schools within Refugee Week (Poster-Making Competition) the Group cautioned about citing rceent Far-Right attacks on Social Media.

Refugee Week Wales Social Media & Website

Welsh Refugee Council currently pays Proper Design £20/Month for Hosting & Support of Refugee Week Wales Website. Designed in 2018 the Refugee Week Wales Website collates various events happening across Wales during Refugee Week. The Website requires a Tidy-Up/Refresh with suggestions including integrating a Map within the Website. RW is also promoted by the following Social Media accounts:

Refugee Week Wales Instagram (Active)

Refugee Week Wales Twitter (Inactive)

Refugee Week Wales Facebook (Inactive)

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Leyla - Wales Coordinator at City of Sanctuary UK 

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Leyla - Wales Coordinator at City of Sanctuary UK 

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Hi, I support City of Sanctuary groups across Wales in their activities which vary depending on location - including befriending schemes, awareness-raising, Away days etc.

I also support organisations working towards being awarded as Organisations of Sanctuary - this includes schools, colleges, libraries, art organisations and many more.

I live in North Wales and am happy to be involved in the coordination of activities in the North.

Contact: leyla@cityofsanctuary.org

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My name is Jessica Moser I support the VOICES Ambassadors to coordinate work over Refugee Week. This year they've had another offer from Cardiff University for an event space on the 20th of June. The University have given an lecture theatre and two floors of the Centre For Student Life. Ambassadors would like to invite other organisations to collaborate on this event. Contact me jessicamoser@redcross.org.uk if you are interested in getting involved.

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Please use think to to edit: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGBXKAKdkw/AJq0hOeb7wpYNtJYqTUevw/edit?utm_content=DAGBXKAKdkw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

If you have difficulty accessing, please contact coalition@wrc.wales to get access

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Do not promote online - this is for direct outreach with schools.

Please flag this with schools you speak too!

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Welcome and Updates

Refugee Week Wales 2024 (padlet.com)

School Task Update: This activity is now public a tracker to be created to see who we are reaching.

Certificates to be created.

Event Information - All areas shared what is happening in terms of event planning, in all areas, we are all still in initial planning phase. By next meeting we will have more concrete ideas.

What is happening in Cardiff?

a range of events are being organised with Chapter Arts, Cardiff Uni, Cardiff Met and Library. Connecting contacts to coalition members.

Sport focus via coalition members and Glamorgan Cricket Club and Cardiff Football Club.

Cardiff Cohesion Team have opened funds for specific events. We are currently applying to help support events in Cardiff.

What is happening in Swansea?

City of Sanctuary taking a lead, exploring opportunities with Swansea University.

What is happening in Newport?

We do not have a key contact in this area facilitating engagement.

Reaching out to LA as they have appointed an officer to lead sanctuary work.

Exploring funding opportunities.

What is happening in Wrexham?

A third sector regular meeting has been set up to liaise on RW activities.

Website and Social Media Update:

- Will use coalition twitter to promote activity - a promotion plan to be created.

- Refugee Week Wales Website is currently being amended: launch will be Mid May.

AoB - The group is exploring commitments and pledges and how we can monitor this.

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Put your #CompassionIntoAction this #RefugeeWeek Everyone is invited to put their compassion into action and stand with refugees around the world. There's never been a more important time to stand in solidarity with people who seek sanctuary.

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This is what we are hoping to mimic to ensure that we are tracking commitment to change.

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What is A pledge for nature?

It's Time to ACT!
Pledge for Nature is a campaign to galvanise community action for nature's recovery across the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere and beyond.
Our wildlife has been in decline for decades, with iconic species like breeding cuckoos, lapwings and curlews disappearing from North Devon, insects and wildflowers from our meadows and salmon from our rivers. Immediate action is needed to help North Devon's nature to flourish again in our farmland, woods, gardens, rivers and open spaces.
For more information on the Biodiversity crisis:Watch Sir David Attenborough's: A Life on Our Planet or visit the UN Convention for Biological Diversity.

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About Pledge for Nature - North Devon Biosphere

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Our wildlife has been in decline for decades, with iconic species like breeding cuckoos, lapwings and curlews disappearing from North Devon, insects and wildflowers from our meadows and salmon from our rivers. Immediate action is needed to help North Devon's nature to flourish again in our farmland, woods, gardens, rivers and open spaces.

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Simple Acts are everyday actions we can all do to stand with refugees and make new connections in our communities.

Click on each Simple Act image below for quick & easy ideas to help get you started. Whether you build your own event or activity around a Simple Act or simply take part during the week itself, you'll be part of a movement of people everywhere taking small steps to create a big change.

You can also print our Simple Acts pack here.

Don't forget to share what you do with us on social media using #SimpleActs #CompassionIntoAction #RefugeeWeek
Illustrations by Karin Åkesson

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Simple Acts are everyday actions we can all do to stand with refugees and make new connections in our communities. Click on each Simple Act image below for quick & easy ideas to help get you started. Whether you build your own event or activity around a Simple Act or

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A range of events are still in the planning stages. Support is requested to ask decision makers and the general public to attend.

Event Information - All areas shared what is happening in terms of event planning, in all areas, we are all still in initial planning phase. By next meeting we will have more concrete ideas.

Activity for school:

Certificate for schools created.

School Tracker: https://forms.office.com/e/he6VJP8EZA

Pledge:

The group is exploring how we can create pledges that can be tracked during and post RW.

Examples: https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.biosphere.org.uk%2Fpledge-for-nature%2Fabout&data=05%7C02%7Csabiha%40wrc.wales%7Cd4506470ada94207812508dc645302e8%7Ccaf400f5499d45a5b9707882e8cdac99%7C0%7C0%7C638495554928319187%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=4OhYCasVTjZcnadV42uIl7mz38TDZKi9QvtlkwngTb0%3D&reserved=0

Refugee Week Thunderclap may also be an opportunity we can use.

Action: Can the website have an interactive map to record pledges.

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Check out this Logo designed by Refugee Week.

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On this page we have collated resources specific to Wales and/or available in Welsh language.

Welsh Schools of Sanctuary Resource Pack

Now available to download!

Lesson Plans and Classroom Activities

The Holocaust and Wales: Kindertransport- In this collection of resources, we explore some of the stories of child refugees who came on Kindertransport to Wales. These resources are suitable for teaching Key Stage 3 learners.

The Holocaust and Wales: Jewish Artists in Wales - In this collection of resources, students can learn about Jewish artists Josef Herman and Heinz Koppel, who fled Nazi persecution to live and work in Wales. Through art, drama and movement, students can learn about the artists and create their own artistic works. These resources are suitable for teaching Key Stage 4 learners.

The Holocaust and Wales: Kristallnacht - In this collection of resources, we explore former Welsh resident, Julius Weil's recollections of Kristallnacht. These resources are suitable for teaching Key Stage 4 learners.

Stand with Refugees - Use these cross-curricular teaching ideas to support Key Stage 2 and 3 learners to strengthen their enquiry skills, think critically about why some people are forced to flee, and develop empathy for others. We all want to live in a place of safety with our loved ones. A place we can call home. But conflict, disaster and poverty has made home a distant memory for millions of people. Resource created by Oxfam, Welsh translation funded by Welsh Government.

Stories of Sanctuary in Wales - A classroom resource exploring asylum and refuge in Wales which aims to develop learners' understanding of and empathy with those seeking sanctuary. Suitable for Key Stages 3 and 4, it includes a PowerPoint quiz , a refugee role play and five case studies about asylum and refugees in Wales, each with suggested learning activities that can be used on their own or in combination plus links to additional resources.

Understanding sanctuary, refugees, conflict, and Russia's war in Ukraine - A four unit set of resources and teachers' guides developed by Aberystwyth University. These resources focus on sanctuary in Wales, Russia's war in Ukraine, war and conflict, and refugees and asylum seekers with the aim of providing educators with the tools to discuss sensitive and contemporary issues with a range of age groups. The learning activities can be used to stimulate discussion and raise awareness of issues such as conflict, peace, migration, and borders amongst pupils to help them become ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the world.

Videos

DAD: Into Film - Cai, a young boy living on a Welsh coastal resort takes solace on the beach to avoid tension at home, where his father who has recently returned from war is struggling to readjust. Out wandering one day Cai comes across a lonely boy not much older than him, who has been living on the beach. Unsure how to help the refugee boy, whose name is Amir, Cai gets his father involved. Despite not having a common language, Cai's father and Amir discover that they are both
having trouble dealing with the trauma of their wartime experiences.

Refugee Voices Wales: film on the experiences of refugees who have made their home in Wales - A film by Dr Gwennan Higham, made with refugees who have recently been given the right to stay in Britain by the Home Office. They discuss their experiences of making their home in Wales, living here during the pandemic, the links they have with local people, and their perceptions of Wales, identity and the Welsh language. This film is aimed at Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 learners.

Uncle Ahmad's Canaries Short Film - Created at The Welfare Ystradgynlais with Syrian families living in the area, Uncle Ahmad's Canaries is based on their stories of moving to Wales and making their home in the Valleys. The families were also involved in creating the animation which is a poignant story of hope and survival.

Cynefin - In 2018, The Welfare Ystradgynlais' community arts team worked with Ysgol Maesydderwen, Ysgol Dyffryn Y Glowyr and Syrian families who have settled in Ystradgynlais to tell stories of refugees past and present. Cynefin is a short film made by the schools about Polish artist Josef Herman's arrival in the Welsh valleys and voiced by Hollywood star Michael Sheen. The talented pupils came up with the idea, wrote the script and created the characters and backdrops, they tried out stop-motion animation and also created the films score with BAFTA Award Winning Composer Tic Ashfield.

Other

Refugee Wales: The Afterlife of Violence (Museum Wales)- A collections of testimonies from Welsh refugee residents.

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Welsh Sanctuary and Migration Learning Resources - Schools of Sanctuary

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On this page we have collated resources specific to Wales and/or available in Welsh language. Welsh Schools of Sanctuary Resource Pack Now available to download! Lesson Plans and Classroom Activities The Holocaust and Wales: Kindertransport- In this collection of resources, we explore some of the stories of child refugees who came on Kindertransport to [...]

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Purpose of this group:

Collation group - supporting promotion of event, and providing ad hoc organisational support when required.

Brainstorming Ideas:

lots of organisations are currently planning or have planned events. We therefore should be promoting events.

How to engage schools? Hay and Brecon have created a fluid competition for schools to welcome refugees and have stated that they are happy for us to promote this as an activity. We have slightly altered to fit RW Theme.

Website Update:

Celebrating Home - website review to make more engaging for users. This includes:

1. the site needs to be a lot bolder.

2. The site is currently based on the logo colours and designed to work without photography. Altering this to enable photographs to be added.

3. The front page needs a logo and title and some introduction to what Refugee Week is all about.

4. The ‘upcoming events’ title shouldn’t appear when there are none.

5. The ‘past events’ section is way too big. Instead have links to previous years’ programmes where you can view separate lists.

6. About Page - this year’s theme should be emphasised.

7. The ‘get involved’ section of that page could be moved to its own page, incorporating contact details.

8. Contact: This should either be a page with an embedded form OR open a contact form modal window wherever you are on the site.

Albert is exploring the costs associated with this.

Lived Experience central to all activity:

Meetings will be fortnightly and on Fridays as Lived Experience Experts have emphasised that this would fit their schedule.

Next Steps:

form created to collate events for RW in Wales: https://forms.office.com/e/Q8HV4ZanyB

Template poster to advertise events to be created.

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You can download the latest version of the pack or order a printed copy using the buttons below. Download the pack Order a printed copy OUT NOW! Download the Welsh language Schools of Sanctuary Resource Pack below. Download the pack Please note that due to funding limitations we are unable to send printed copies of [...]

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Bilingual Resources for Schools: A Day of Welcome

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Bilingual Resources for Schools: A Day of Welcome

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A Day of Welcome is an annual day of solidarity and learning in schools that aims to build a culture of welcome and understanding for people seeking sanctuary. Celebrated by over 530 schools and tens of thousands of pupils in 2023, it's designed to support teachers in kickstarting Refugee Week by providing free live events, resources and activities for teachers and pupils of all ages.

Our Aims

Support schools to foster a culture of welcome, belonging and solidarity for those seeking safety.

Help teachers to uncover and share stories of refugee migration, local and global, past and present.

Assist schools to better educate and support refugee pupils and their families.

Register here for our fully-funded live events. This year these include teacher CPD and events for both primary and secondary schools sharing the work and experiences of people seeking sanctuary.

Download the teachers' guide for this year, listing all of the resources, guidance and supporting materials for A Day of Welcome.

What is A Day of Welcome?

Founded by teachers in Norfolk, and developed in partnership with Schools of Sanctuary and Anglia Ruskin University, A Day of Welcome is open to any school, from nursery to Sixth Form across, the UK. This year, it will be celebrated on Friday 14th June , ahead of Refugee Week (17th-23rd June 2024

Participating schools will be granted access to a bank of carefully curated activities, teaching resources, training opportunities and exclusive live events that they can pick and choose from. In previous years, these have included live webcasts with authors Dina Nayeri, Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed, Michael Rosen, Miriam Halahmy. If you would like to find out more, please visit here: News - Norfolk Schools of Sanctuary.

We also provide resources that are tailored to the contexts of various local areas and counties, from Norwich to Cardiff and beyond, that help school communities to understand how people seeking safety have played a part in making their own cities, towns and neighborhoods the places they are today. We all have a role to play in fostering a culture of kindness and, as the centre of our communities, the potential impact of schools is huge. We empower teachers to unlock this potential by facilitating a range of learning resources and by connecting schools with their wider networks of welcome.

For teachers, we also provide a range of Refugee Education resources and training events to help them better educate and support refugee pupils and their families.

Our Refugee Education partners include UNHCR, Refugee Education UK, Amnesty International and the Bell Foundation, and our bespoke teacher training has included live events with the International Rescue Committee. Find out more about our Resources...

Why sign up for A Day of Welcome?

You will gain access to the following:

A Teachers' Guide - a summary of all our resources, opportunities and events (labelled by Key Stage level) to help your school celebrate Refugee Week 2024.

A Teacher's Toolkit - access to a folder of research-informed & teacher-approved materials and resources to deliver assemblies, lessons and workshops on forced displacement.

·One-off online events and workshops - including live author events for pupils and Refugee Education events for teachers.

Unique resources, facts and information about stories of forced migration from your local community.

Note: Our Toolkit, Teachers' Guide & Webcast registrations will be launched on the 23rd April 2024 Our aspiration is to help every school to be a safe, welcoming and inclusive place for everyone, including those seeking sanctuary. Will you join us? A Day of Welcome is organised in collaboration with

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A day of learning and solidarity that helps schools to build a culture of welcome and understanding for all, including refugees and asylum seekers.