Northern Ireland

I was a stranger and you invited me in

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I was a stranger and you invited me in

The tragic picture of Alan Kurdi put a human face on the issue of migration across the Mediterranean which had risen in public consciousness over the summer of 2015. The phrase ‘refugee crisis’ entered common parlance. Yet it was quickly wrapped up with other words like ‘flood’ and ‘swarm’. Some people’s existing concerns around economic…

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A Christmas Prayer for Refugees

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A Christmas Prayer for Refugees

Lord, you were once a refugee as the small child from the manger fleeing to Egypt. And so we pray for all those who are fleeing persecution, adversity and hopelessness. We remember the millions of people across the globe who are displaced from their homes. We bring before you families that are split apart, with…

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Intern opportunity with Refugee Week for people from refugee backgrounds

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Intern opportunity with Refugee Week for people from refugee backgrounds

Counterpoints Arts are inviting applications for a new programme for emerging leaders to support the production of Refugee Week 2019. Funded by Ben and Jerry’s Foundation, this new leadership project aims to ensure the perspectives and expertise of people who have experienced displacement are at the heart of Refugee Week which runs each year in…

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Update from CTBI Churches’ Refugee Network

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Update from CTBI Churches’ Refugee Network

CTBIs Churches’ Refugee Network met again today with representation around the table and on the phone from a variety of denominations and organisations working around the UK and Ireland. CRN considered the opportunity to develop better church engagement with Refugee Week (running in 2019 between 17–23 June) and how CTBI’s support of Churches of Sanctuary…

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Lift the Ban on people seeking asylum working

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Lift the Ban on people seeking asylum working

The Lift the Ban coalition is calling for the right to work for people seeking asylum, and their adult dependants, after six months of having lodged an asylum claim or further submission, unconstrained by the Shortage Occupation List. People currently seeking asylum in the UK are effectively prohibited from working. They can only apply to…

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28 Tales for 28 Days

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28 Tales for 28 Days

The UK is the only country in Europe that detains people indefinitely. 28 Tales for 28 Days is an initiative from Refugee Tales to help generate a conversation around a call for an end to the UK’s policy of indefinite detention. Each day, for 28 days, the story of someone who has experienced detention is…

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CTBI Churches’ Refugee Network updates (September 2018)

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CTBI Churches’ Refugee Network updates (September 2018)

CTBI’s Churches’ Refugee Network met on 13 September and discussed how CRN could widen its reach and more effectively share information amongst its network of Christian faith-based organisations and beyond to smaller churches and communities. Among other discussions, the meeting heard about the upcoming #welcomingeurope campaign, plans to mark the upcoming anniversary of Kinder Transport,…

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Lord Dubs launches petition: safe passage to UK for 10,000 child refugees

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Lord Dubs launches petition: safe passage to UK for 10,000 child refugees

Lord Dubs whose life was saved by Kindertransport has launched a petition calling on the UK Prime Minister Theresa May to act in the spirit of 80 years ago and make a commitment to give safe passage to 10,000 child refugees from Europe and the regions over the next 10 years. Over the weekend, faith…

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Call for UK Gov to protect 10,000 child refugees

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Call for UK Gov to protect 10,000 child refugees

On the third anniversary of the death of Alan Kurdi, faith leaders from Jewish, Muslim and Christian traditions have called on the UK Government to “match the efforts of the Kindertransport” and provide 10,000 child refugees with protection in the UK. Update – Lord Dubs has launched a petition calling on the Prime Minister to…

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City of Sanctuary Mental Health Resource Pack

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City of Sanctuary Mental Health Resource Pack

City of Sanctuary have published a Mental Health Resource Pack [PDF] to help readers understand the circumstances of refugees and asylum seekers’ lives and how these circumstances affect their emotional wellbeing. The 56-page booklet’s introduction explains that “it is designed to give you a real understanding of the lives of asylum seekers and refugees.” “We hope…

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