OUR THEME “FREEDOM FROM FEAR”
The theme for Refugee Week 2009 in Australia is "Freedom from Fear". The quest for freedom from fear is at the heart of a refugee's flight from danger. The 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (and its 1967 Protocol) 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.
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.
Choose from the links below for more specific information about Refugee
Week:
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