Sydneysiders are being asked to write welcome messages in chalk for refugees and asylum seekers on a special paved section in front of Sydney Town Hall during Refugee Week from 19 to 25 June.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore will launch the ‘Chalk Your Support’ campaign outside Town Hall on June 19 to recognise the contributions refugees make to the Sydney community.
“Having fled their war torn homes, refugees have given our city so much and driven a surge in entrepreneurial activity – but they often feel isolated and afraid on first arriving.
“Our community buses that drive around the city say ‘Refugees are welcome here’ on the side – and refugees are welcome here. We provide employment assistance, free legal advice and free or low cost access to many City facilities and services.
“Refugee Week helps raise awareness of the issues affecting refugees and asylum seekers, it’s an opportunity for Sydneysiders to make them feel welcome and learn more about their cultures.
Refugee Week is a national event that coincides with World Refugee Day on June 20.
The continuing theme for Refugee Week is “with courage let us all combine” – a line from the second verse of the national anthem, Advance Australia Fair – a theme that encourages Australians to improve our nation’s welcome for refugees and to acknowledge the skills and energy refugees bring to their new home.
Refugee Week will celebrate the talents, skills and cultural diversity of people from refugee backgrounds and asylum seekers in Australia with events and activities across the city.
Through its grants and sponsorships program, the City also supports community groups that benefit refugees and asylum seekers, and raise community awareness. A range of programs, activities and events help asylum seekers and refugees settle in the community.
Art and photography exhibitions, film screenings, live music, dance performances and a panel discussion on asylum seekers are also on offer during Refugee Week in Sydney.
Events on offer during Refugee Week include:
Chalk Your Support Launch on Sunday 19 June, 2016 at 12pm – Sydney Town Hall
People across the country will show their support for refugees and asylum seekers by writing welcome messages in chalk on footpaths and pavements during Refugee Week.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore will launch Chalk Your Support with the first “welcome” message outside Town Hall and will be joined by musicians and guest speakers. Refugee artists will also be invited to chalk their stories around the city.
Those attending the event will be invited to chalk their message in a designated pavement area in front of Town Hall.
Speaking of Freedom Wednesday 22 June 2016 from 6.30pm to 8pm – Lower Sydney Town Hall
Speaking of Freedom is an evening to celebrate the contribution refugees and asylum seekers make to Australia and is presented by the City of Sydney and the Asylum Seekers Centre.
Hosted by author, broadcaster and journalist Julia Baird, speakers include: • Deng Adut – Sydney human rights lawyer and former Sudanese child soldier. • Dr Peter Young – Psychiatrist and former Director of Mental Health Services for asylum seekers in detention. • John Menadue, AO – Former Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs. • Sarah Coleman – Workforce Planning and Development Manager at St Vincent’s Private Hospital • Desire Ndisabiye – former ASC client.
New Beginnings: Refugee Arts & Culture Festival Saturday 18 June, 2016 from 10am to 4pm – Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour
New Beginnings is a free one-day event featuring live music, dance performances, workshops, market stalls and food from all corners of the globe. Program highlights include a performance from Western Sydney based Sydney World Music Chamber Orchestra, the Rwandan Inkumburwa Dance Group and the Lucky African Dance workshop.
Harmonise Saturday 18 June 2016 from 4pm to 7.30pm – 107 Projects, Redfern
City-supported 107 Projects will host Harmonise, a whirlwind trip around the world through performance. Celebrating diversity, this event will be catered by Parliament on King and has been curated by the Sydney Youth Music Team. It is an all-ages, alcohol-free event supported by Indent and the City of Sydney.
Hope Dinner: Recipe for Harmony Monday 20 June at 6pm – Parliament on King, Newtown
Recipients of a City of Sydney Matching Grant, Parliament on King in Newtown will hold a series of community “Hope Dinners” run and catered for by the refugees and asylum seekers who train and work there.
Coinciding with World Refugee Day, “Recipe for Harmony” is a special dinner party lovingly prepared by new friends from around the globe.
Exiled to Nowhere: Burma’s Rogingya Opening: Thursday 23 June, 7–9pm – Customs House Exhibition closes early October
A photographic exhibition titled Exiled to Nowhere: Burma’s Rohingya, which will highlight the plight of Burma’s Rohingya people.
This exhibition is a result of nine years of work and 12 trips to Bangladesh and Burma from 2006 to 2014 by photographer Greg Constantine.
Exiled To Nowhere shares the stories and the plight of a people who have no-where to go and illustrates their courage to stay alive.
Street Food Markets 3rd Saturday of each month, 4pm to 9pm - The Addison Road Community Centre, Marrickville
Street food, arts, craft & music from around the world come together at the Addison Road Community Centre.
This monthly event supports the small businesses of recent migrants and refugees.
The Street Food Market is a partnership project of The Addison Road Community Centre (ARCCO) with the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS).
For full details on the Refugee Week program go to whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For more information, contact City of Sydney Media Adviser Bridget Ahern. Phone 0423 505 854 or email bahern@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson. Phone 0499 319 385 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au