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REFUGEE WEEK 2009 - NEWS RELEASE

2nd June 2009

CELEBRITIES JOIN 'SIMPLE ACTS' CAMPAIGN TO WELCOME REFUGEES

LEARNING a few words in another language, cooking a dish from a foreign land and joining a campaign for refugee rights are just some of the Simple Acts carried out by celebrities like Michael Palin and Juliet Stevenson in support of Refugee Week 2009 (15-21 June).

Comedians, politicians, authors and television personalities have joined thousands of people across the country as they take part in one of 20 Simple Acts that can be carried out to welcome refugees to Britain.

The Simple Acts Campaign, launched in Refugee Week, is inspiring individuals to use small, everyday actions to learn more about refugees and interact with them.

People who have already taken part in a Simple Act are the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, comedian Mark Thomas and the writer Chris Cleave, plus hundreds of ordinary people who are registering their actions on the website www.simpleacts.org.uk. More than 600 acts have been completed already with thousands more due to take place in Refugee Week itself.

Writer, comedian and actor Michael Palin who did the Simple Act of 'learn a few words in another language' with Somali refugee Musa, said:

"The Simple Acts campaign is all about relating to fellow human beings who have found themselves in extraordinary circumstances and finding common ground with them.

"As I travel to many different countries, I decided to take part in the Simple Act 'Learn a few words in another language'. Communication is so important and I know from my experiences in other countries that a few words, some playacting, smiles and laughter can go a long way towards breaking down barriers. Sharing food and offering hospitality is another good way to welcome a stranger and get to know them, as is learning more about the countries that refugees come from.

I would encourage everyone to take a bit of time out to get involved in a 'Simple Act' this month, and celebrate Britain's history of offering sanctuary to those who have fled persecution and war."

Somali refugee Musa, who taught Michael Palin how to say a few words in Somali, said: "I really appreciated the time Mr Palin took to get to know a bit about me and my culture. I have had some very difficult times in my life, and when someone makes even a small effort to communicate or to learn more about my life, it makes all the difference."

Hundreds of events incorporating the Simple Acts will also take place during Refugee Week, including a film festival hosted by the British Film Institute; a football tournament between refugees, politicians and journalists; and kicking it all off, the hugely popular Celebrating Sanctuary festival on London’s South Bank on the 14th June, now in its 10th year.

Almir Koldzic, Refugee Week National Co-ordinator said:

“Our simple acts campaign shows the breadth of support for providing refuge in this country. We’ve already seen 600 simple acts take place and it’s not even Refugee Week yet! Britain has a proud tradition of sheltering people who are fleeing persecution and war, and these simple acts are testament to this.

“It doesn’t take much to change people’s understanding of who refugees are. Just by doing one of these simple acts, like sharing a song or a book, meeting a refugee over a cup of tea, joining in a game of football or even just thinking about what it means to offer refuge to people, we can all get much closer to realising that offering sanctuary to people in need is a wonderful thing that should be protected and celebrated.”

Notes:

Refugee Week takes place from 15-21 June 2009, and is a UK-wide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, and encourages better understanding between communities. Hundreds of events are taking place across the country, and individuals and celebrities will be undertaking Simple Acts throughout the week.
For further information, case studies and interviews please contact Hannah Ward on 020 7346 1213 or hannah.ward@refugeecouncil.org.uk or Julia Ravenscroft, press officer at Refugee Action, on 0161 233 1956 or 07771 748 150 Juliar@refugee-action.org.uk
To find out more please go to:
Website: http://www.refugeeweek.org.uk
Simple Acts: http://www.refugeeweek.org.uk/SimpleActs
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6958805267
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Simple_Acts
Bebo: http://www.bebo.com/SimpleA2
Wordia: http://www.wordia.com/Users/simple_acts
British Red Cross page: www.lookbeyondthelabel.org
The Simple Acts campaign is about inspiring individuals to use small, everyday actions to change perceptions of refugees.
It consists of 20 actions that can be done by anyone and that encourage us to learn and do more with refugees. With every person who joins the campaign and does a small thing with and for refugees, we get a little closer to removing barriers between communities and to creating the kind of world we all want to live in.
1. Cook a dish from another country
2. Tell a child a story from another country
3. Watch a movie about refugees
4. Do a quiz on refugees
5. Say a little prayer for me
6. Read a book about exile
7. Sign off your email with a note about refugees