Most of us get up each morning, have breakfast then start our day’s activities, whether it be dropping the children off at school, heading to work or starting our household chores.
Each day we have purpose. Our purpose co-exists within our community – and that community has our back. But there’s many people in our community who don’t share the same security and purpose, and their futures are in limbo.
Refugee Week, this year from Sunday, 18 June to Saturday, 24 June with World Refugee Day on 20 June, reminds Australians of our neighbours who have fled their homelands due to conflict or human rights violations. Their refugee status means they are simply asking for permanent protection.
The theme of Refugee Week 2023 is “Finding Freedom”, whether that be through a new home, a new career, or finding love or friendships. Through Refugee Week resources and events, organisers are highlighting freedom should be a given and a way of life, not an ask and a challenge.
The over-arching aims of Refugee Week are:
- To educate the Australian public about who refugees are and why they have come to Australia
- To help people understand the many challenges refugees face coming to Australia
- To celebrate the contribution refugees make to our community
- To focus on how the community can provide a safe and welcoming environment for refugees
- For community groups and individuals to do something positive for refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people, within Australia but also around the world
- For service providers to reflect on whether they are providing the best possible services to refugees