Unaccompanied Refugee Children

Refugee Week

Refugee Week is an international annual event, around 20th June (International Refugee Day). The aims are:

to promote awareness and understanding amongst the general public
to celebrate the contribution refugees make to the UK, generally and locally
to facilitate encounters between the general public and refugee communities
to celebrate the UK's proud history as a place of sanctuary for those fleeing from persecution
to enable individual refugees and asylum seekers to participate in the community events which celebrate their own distinctive heritage

Schools are becoming increasingly involved by:

engaging in special work in the classroom
inviting parents to special assemblies
inviting parents to join in class activities: sharing aspects of their home culture
inviting outside speakers, performers and arts projects
entering competitions
joining in local events, making links with other local organisations, e.g. libraries, youth forums, refugee community groups etc.

There are many helpful resources to support teaching and other activities in school.

Find out more »

Many LEAs provide a pack of suggested activities which is sent out at this time.

The Refugee Week website provides ideas and information about activities, locally and nationally (www.refugeeweek.org.uk).

This would be an ideal time to reach out into the school community, and make links with the parents. Many schools schedule an International Evening for this time of year.

Local libraries are increasingly marking this event, and may have special events, or be willing to display children's work.