Refugee Council of Australia

After careful consideration of options for themes for Refugee Week in Australia, RCOA has chosen to retain the 2009 Refugee Week theme in the lead-up to next year's 60th anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention. This means that the theme for Refugee Week in 2010 and 2011 will be "Freedom from Fear". Our hope is that, by retaining this theme for Refugee Week over three years, we will be able to focus greater attention on the realities of the refugee experience.

The quest for freedom from fear is at the heart of a refugee's flight from danger. This is acknowledged in the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (and its 1967 Protocol), which defines a refugee as:

Any person who owing to a well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his/her nationality and is unable, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country.

The importance of freedom from fear is also affirmed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the preamble of which describes the "the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want" as the "highest aspiration of the common people."

When refugees flee, they are forced to abandon everything they know and love. They are separated from family members, lose belongings, are left with little or no money. Some are traumatised by what they have experienced. Many spend years in camps, lost in no-man's land whilst their fate is decided. Most have no idea what kind of future awaits them.

In seeking refuge in another country refugees are hoping to find freedom from that fear. They are looking for the opportunity to lead a normal life, as part of a community, where they can live in safety and security, find work and send their children to school.

In choosing our theme as "Freedom from Fear" we are hoping to draw attention not just to the fear that compels refugees to run, but the relief they feel when they are welcomed into another country and given the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

It raises awareness of the issues affecting refugees. The theme aims to highlight aspects of the refugee experience and help the broader community to understand what it is like to be a refugee.

It helps to make Refugee Week a national celebration. The theme provides a focal point for events across Australia, uniting separate activities into a single nationwide celebration.

It promotes a message of harmony and togetherness. The theme unites individuals, communities and organisations from many different backgrounds behind a common cause. The common theme is a reminder that, regardless of our differences, we all share a common humanity.

It broadens the impact of Refugee Week. The theme provides a common, cohesive message which can be promoted across the country. Focusing celebrations on this key message helps to extend its influence.

REFUGEE WEEK THEME