Celebration of city’s refugees (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford marks national Refugee Week

5:30am Monday 15th June 2009 in Search By Jo Winrow

A series of events is being organised in Bradford to help mark national Refugee Week and raise awareness of why people seek sanctuary.

It started today and aims to highlight the positive contributions made by refugees and asylum-seekers in the UK, as well as encourage a better understanding between communities.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor John Godward, was due to open the proceedings at Carlisle Business Centre today with Alan Thornton, of Church Action on Poverty, delivering the opening speech.

Members of the refugee and asylum community were also telling their accounts and the event featured live music by a Chadian performer, Saad.

A finale event in Centenary Square is to be opened by Bradford North MP Terry Rooney at noon on Friday with live music, dance and poetry.

Refugee community groups and organisations working with asylum-seekers and refugees will be providing information stalls for those interested in learning more about their work.

Pupils of Rhodesway School in Allerton, Bradford, will also be involved in Refugee Week.

And as an end to the week of activities, they are releasing 250 peace balloons, with each having a promise and message attached.

The balloon release will take place on Friday afternoon.

Will Sutcliffe, the hosting and befriending co-ordinator from BEACON, a charity group set up to help asylum-seekers, said: “These events are our way of celebrating the tremendous contributions made by Bradford’s asylum and refugee communities to the life of our city.”

Organisations involved in putting on Refugee Week in Bradford include Bradford Refugee Forum, Bradford Action for Refugees, BEACON, BIASAN, British Red Cross, Bradford City Council, BCB, Centre Resolution Conflicts, Chadian Association for Integration, City of Sanctuary Bradford, Horton Housing, Northern Refugee Centre and Raise The Roof.

Members of the refugee and asylum seeker community were also at Bradford’s Mela on Saturday and Sunday, in the Sanctuary tent in the Refugee Action Zone.