Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants working group meeting
An event to celebrate the lives of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland, with ‘music, poetry, silence and celebration’.
This event takes place in the hall of Sacred Heart Church, 28 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9DJ on Tuesday 20 June at 4:30pm. No registration required.
Refugees living in Edinburgh demonstrated their culinary skills at a social evening at St Columba's parish hall in Newington, Edinburgh recently.
The event was organised by the Refugees, Asylum Seekers & Migrants Working Group (RAMWG) of the Archdiocesan Caritas, Justice & Peace Commission.
Agatha Kai Kai (pictured above) from the commission said: "The idea was formed when we heard about a group of male refugees living in hotels in Haymarket and the Grassmarket, transported from Northern Ireland by the Home Office three months ago.
"They are fed on a British diet and were desperate for their own indigenous food. So they planned the recipes and we bought ingredients.
"The nine young men cooked delicious meals, needing little help from the five volunteers from RAMWG and St Columba's parish.
"The atmosphere was friendly and chatty. In sharing enjoyable food and conversations, we all learnt a little from each culture."
To find out more about the Refugees, Asylum Seekers & Migrants Working Group contact m.a.kaikai@ed.ac.uk
This year's World Day of Migrants and Refugees is on Sunday 27 September with Pope Francis' chosen theme: “Forced like Jesus to flee,” which focuses on the plight of internally displaced people.
Welcome each other, as Christ welcomed you (Romans 15:7)
In scripture, we read the account of the Holy Family fleeing Herod’s persecution. In every person forced to flee for safety, Jesus is present. In the face of the hungry, the naked and the destitute refugee and migrant, we are called to see the face of Christ who asks for our help.
The United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the right for everyone to seek and enjoy asylum in other countries free from persecution. This right lies at the heart of contemporary work in this area.
Archdiocesan Working Group
The Archdiocese's Commission for Caritas, Justice and Peace has formed The Refugees, Migrants and Asylum Seekers sub-group. It is committed to:
• Finding ways to work with local parishes and other organisations to make life better for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
• To educate ourselves and others about the problems facing displaced people and to communicate accurate information which conveys a positive message about the gifts refugees and migrants can offer.
• To make links with other voluntary and public organisations with a parallel mission.
If you would be interested in joining the Commission’s working group, email m.a.kaikai@ed.ac.uk
Taking Action in Parishes
There are a number of practical steps that you can take as an individual or parish community. Your parish could consider funding an asylum seeker or failed asylum seeker in need of support through the Refugee Survival Trust, at www.rst.org.uk.
Parish communities may wish to publicise or take part in a Befriending Programme. This could be a specific venture, or part of existing programmes such as soup kitchens or food banks. You can get support and access an online programme by emailing life@thewelcoming.org
Your parish can join local networks to show support for refugees through the New Scots Connect map and forum which can be found here.