Archive For April 27, 2016

What does the Bible say about refugees?

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What does the Bible say about refugees?

The Bible Society’s theologian-in-residence, Paula Gooder explains what the Bible says about refugees in four short videos. These great discussion starters may challenge our perceptions and provoke thought as Paula briefly unpacks familiar parts of the Bible. Jesus the refugee The gift of a stranger The land: living in it and leaving it Who is my…

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The Refugee Response: Churches Together South London

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The Refugee Response: Churches Together South London

Churches Together in South London are holding a biannual network gathering on Tuesday 17 May at 6pm to look at the topic of “The Refugee Response“. Everyone already engaged in and interested in responding, whether as an individual, a church of any denomination, or to represent a local ecumenical network, is welcome. To book and get…

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Commons defeat Lord Dubs’ amendment to accept 3,000 child refugees into UK from Europe

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Commons defeat Lord Dubs’ amendment to accept 3,000 child refugees into UK from Europe

Labour peer Lord Dubs’ amendment to the Government’s Immigration Bill was narrowly defeated when it came before MPs in the House of Commons on Monday evening. The plan to accept 3,000 unaccompanied Syrian child refugees who had travelled to Europe was defeated by 294 votes to 276. [See how MPs voted.] A previously announced Government scheme…

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Arrivals in Greece from Turkey on the increase again [Reuters]

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Arrivals in Greece from Turkey on the increase again [Reuters]

Reuters reports on figures released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) stating that that the numbers of migrants landing in Greece from Turkey is on the increase. Around 150 people a day had arrived over the last three days, still way off the numbers seen a month ago … but showing an increase since…

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Talk: The Syria Refugee Situation – sign of a new world disorder? (17 May in Glasgow)

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Talk: The Syria Refugee Situation – sign of a new world disorder? (17 May in Glasgow)

On Tuesday 17 May, the UNHCR’s head of policy development and evaluation services Ewen Macleod is speaking at the University of Glasgow in the Sir Charles Wilson Building (1 University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ). The Syria Refugee Situation – sign of a new world disorder? Ewen has been employed by the United Nations and the…

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UK Government to take in additional 3,000 unaccompanied and vulnerable children

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UK Government to take in additional 3,000 unaccompanied and vulnerable children

Earlier this week the UK Government announced that it will work with the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) to resettle children and adults from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The background to this announcement: In January the UK Government commissioned the UNHCR to develop and lead a new initiative to resettle vulnerable children…

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About … Glasgow Refugee Asylum and Migration Network (GRAMNet)

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About … Glasgow Refugee Asylum and Migration Network (GRAMNet)

The Glasgow Refugee Asylum and Migration Network (GRAMNet) brings together researchers and practitioners, NGOs and policy makers working with migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland. The network is currently funded by The University of Glasgow. Across the UK, the City of Glasgow is host to the largest population of refugees and asylum seekers under the…

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A roadmap for change which prioritises saving lives, solidarity and safe passage

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A roadmap for change which prioritises saving lives, solidarity and safe passage

Thirteen aid and development agencies have come together to say that “while the UK government has been a leader in providing assistance to countries hosting large numbers of refugees, it has fallen short of its moral responsibility to provide safe routes to protection for people seeking refuge in the UK, and has failed to advocate…

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EU-Turkey agreement “has now divided the refugees in Greece into two distinct groups”

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EU-Turkey agreement “has now divided the refugees in Greece into two distinct groups”

Matthew Carter is CAFOD’s Humanitarian Director. He writes on the aid agency’s blog about a family who fled the conflict in Syria and took the dangerous sea journey to Greece. Waleed, his wife and 4-year-old son borrowed money to make the journey. The short sea crossing cost them $1,850 and they shared their journey with 70…

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Pope Francis & Bartholomew I visit Lesbos; 3 families return to Vatican with Pope

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Pope Francis & Bartholomew I visit Lesbos; 3 families return to Vatican with Pope

This morning’s Guardian newspaper reports that Pope Francis will today spend five hours on Greek the island of Lesbos with Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, and with Ieronymos II, archbishop of Athens and all Greece. His visit is described as “a dramatic rebuke to the European Union’s policy of sending…

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