Celebrating Refugee Week 2009
Bill and Matta Mataboro, a Congolese Refugee who spoke at the reception in the Scottish Parliament
This week, I was delighted to host a parliamentary reception as part of the Scottish Refugee Council’s Scottish Refugee Week. I have hosted this annual reception at the Scottish Parliament for the last 5 years, and, as always, it was a great success.
Refugee Week is a UK-wide programme of artistic, cultural and educational events which celebrates the contribution of refugees to the UK, and encourages a better understanding between communities. Recent research shows that many Scots still have negative perceptions of refugee and asylum seekers and a limited understanding of why they have settled in Scotland. Refugee Week seeks to deliver a positive message that counters such subjective stereotypes of refugees.
This year’s Refugee Week in Scotland will see over 100 diverse artistic, cultural and sporting events taking place across Scotland from June 15-21. A range of community celebrations will be held throughout the week by groups from across the globe – from Sudan to Cameroon – who have settled in Scotland. Among the highlights are the first-ever Refugee Week Film Festival, with screenings taking place in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Dumfries.
As part of the parliamentary contribution to Scottish Refugee Week a number of scenes from the play Fugee, by Abi Morgan, about unaccompanied minors, were performed in the Scottish Parliament. A Q&A session was also held with the play’s young cast and young people seeking asylum in Scotland which provided plenty of food for thought for a packed audience.
I was thrilled to see so many in attendance at the parliamentary reception and congratulate and thank all those who have taken part in the events throughout Refugee Week in Scotland and across the UK. The Scottish Refugee Council carries out vital work in the promotion of positive community relations on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers. I wish all involved in supporting refugees and asylum seekers every success in the coming year.
For further information about Refugee Week in Scotland, the Scottish Refugee Council and to see Matta’s story please follow the links below:
http://www.refugeeweek.org.uk/InYourArea/Scotland/
http://www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/
