Every year on 20 June, the UNHCR marks World Refugee Day. This was established in 2001 on the 50th Anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, which still protects refugees across the majority of the world.
The day offers a range of powerful opportunities to celebrate and show support and solidarity for those seeking sanctuary in the UK.
In Bristol, this has grown to be a fortnight long series of events known as the Refugee Festival. The celebration includes a variety of events every day, culming in an afternoon of celebration on College Green on Saturday, 21 June.
Events are also taking place in Gloucestershire. Details of this can be found online.
Adele Owen, Director of Bristol City of Sanctuary, said: “At the heart of the events and celebrations is the concept of Sanctuary; the need for safety, the call to look after and welcome the stranger. The City of Sanctuary movement in the UK is based on this premise. Founded in 2005 in Sheffield, the movement has spread across the UK with Bristol becoming a City of Sanctuary in 2011 and regularly recommitting to this through its strategy and work. This network is made up of many organisations who help to make these changes and build communities. Bristol City of Sanctuary are committed to building a more accessible Bristol and South Gloucestershire for all who live in the area.”
Each year, Sanctuary Sunday is celebrated on the Sunday closest to World Refugee Day, this year falling on 21 June. Service plans and resources can be found on the Church of Sanctuary website. Churches can also consider holding a collection for a local refugee organisation, a list of charities can be found here.
If you would like more information about City of Sanctuary or holding a Sanctuary Sunday service, reach out to Naomi Jervis, Partnerships and Campaigns officer at Naomi.Jervis@bristoldiocese.org