Dear Good Samaritans,     

This Sunday 14 June marks the beginning of Refugee Week.

Refugee Week is Australia’s peak annual activity to raise awareness about the issues affecting refugees and celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society. 

Originally celebrated in 1986, Refugee Week coincides with World Refugee Day (20 June).

Refugee Week is a unique opportunity for us all to experience and celebrate the rich diversity of refugee communities through theatre, music, dance, film and other events which take place all over Australia and highlight the aims of the Week which 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

For more information, prayers and resources please check out the following websites: