What is Bedford Refugee Week?

Refugee Week is a UK wide programme of events which celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK.

The purpose of Refugee Week is to deliver positive educational messages that counter fear, ignorance and negative stereotypes of refugees, through arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK and promote understanding about the reasons why people seek sanctuary.

Refugee Week was first held in 1998 and was created in response to the growing negative perceptions of refugees and asylum seekers held by the general public in Britain. It remains the only UK-wide event that promotes the importance of sanctuary and the benefits it can bring to both refugees and host communities.

A multi-agency steering group organises the Refugee Week programme in Bedford. Many organisations and individuals have supported and donated money and time over the past 3 years.

Find out more at www.refugeeweekbedford.org

Links:

• www.refugeeweek.org.uk