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Join us for Refugee Week 2020 online

Explore talks, performances and forums including a conversation with refugee advocates Cate Blanchett and Marta Dusseldorp.

Refugee Week 2020

We’re supporting the Refugee Council of Australia as we host a week-long series of online talks, courses and workshops.

Covid-19 restrictions haven’t stopped this year’s Refugee Week program from going ahead, with all events taking place online.

Hear from refugees about their experience of the Covid-19 pandemic and the responses from frontline services. Enjoy poetry and spoken word performances. And learn more about why 2020 is the ‘year of welcome’.

Welcome: Migration, First Nations and refugee communities

Sunday 14 June from 6.15pm to 7.15pm
The Wheeler Centre and the Refugee Council of Australia host the official launch of Refugee Week 2020 with a traditional Welcome to Country. This is followed by a panel conversation about the intersection and parallels of Indigenous and refugee rights.

Words Without Borders: An evening of poetry and spoken word

Monday 15 June from 6.15pm to 7.15pm
The Wheeler Centre and Refugee Council of Australia present an evening of poetry and spoken word, performed by members of Australia’s refugee communities. Hosted by Manal Younus, with Lujayn Hourani, Hani Abdile, Flora Chol, Awale Ahmed and Marziya Mohammadi.

Voices from the Front Line: Refugee women and Covid-19 forum

Tuesday 16 June from 12pm to 2pm
Join Refugee Council of Australia, Settlement Services International and Harmony Alliance for this national virtual forum. We’ll discuss the experiences of refugee women and women seeking asylum and the responses from frontline services during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Global Storytelling Night with Refugee Week UK

Wednesday 17 June from 6pm to 7pm
Meet 4 amazing people now living in Canada, Europe, Hong Kong and Australia as they share their stories of welcome and imagination, based on the ‘year of welcome’ theme.

In-depth conversation with Cate Blanchett and Marta Dusseldorp

Thursday 18 June from 4pm to 5pm
A live and in-depth conversation with 2 powerful advocates for refugees, United Nation's High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) special representative Marta Dusseldorp and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett AC. Join UNHCR for a very special 2020 World Refugee Day online event.

Foundations for Belonging: Snapshot of newly arrived refugees

Thursday 18 June from 1pm to 2pm
Brought to you by Australia at Home, join Settlement Services International for the launch of new research that shines a light on the social and civic dimensions of integration. Hear the perspectives of refugees themselves and their everyday experiences of welcome, participation and belonging.

Free film screening: For Sama

Friday 19 June from 7.30pm to 9.30pm
In partnership with the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival, Refugee Council of Australia brings this Oscar-nominated film right to your living room. For Sama is both an intimate and epic journey into the female experience of war. The film is the first feature documentary by Emmy award-winning filmmakers, Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts.

See full event details and book.

Refugee Council of Australia is the peak national body for refugees and people seeking asylum and the organisations that work with them. Make a donation to the not-for-profit organisation and support Refugee Week events.

We have been an official refugee welcome zone since 2005, when Council declared its commitment to welcoming refugees and asylum seekers into our community.

Published 11 June 2020, updated 15 June 2020

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