Together With Refugees is a new coalition campaign which launches on the 10th May. The campaign is calling for a better approach to supporting people seeking sanctuary that is effective, fair and humane.
It has a simple message: How we treat people seeking sanctuary is about #WhoWeAre.
What is the campaign calling for?
- People can seek safety in the UK, no matter how they came here
- People can live in dignity while they wait to hear if they will be granted protection
- A fairer, faster and more efficient system to decide whether people will be granted protection
- Refugees and their local communities can build better futures together, with proper support for local councils to do this
Why a new coalition?
City of Sanctuary, whilst a movement in its own right, we are very much part of a wider Sanctuary movement which is passionate, active and diverse. However we also know it is stretched, fragmented, and under attack. As discussed during our Celebrating Sanctuary Facilitated Conversation event, we acknowledge that we need to do more to connect with ‘persuadable’ audiences who are sympathetic to our cause in order to build a wider and transformational movement.
The campaign launch is due to take place the day before the Queen’s Speech, which will include the new Borders Bill, the Bill will have profound implications for the UK as a place of sanctuary. Whilst Together With Refugees is focused on achieving change in the longer term, the Government’s latest proposals will be a key focus in the coming months. The campaign will complement other campaigns by providing a broad tent to rally under – especially at key moments as the legislation progresses through parliament.
How can you get involved?
1. Join the campaign coalition
Become a member of the coalition by emailing your organisation/groups name and logo (.png or .svg file format, if possible) to [email protected].
Organisations/Groups who have signed up will be displayed on the Together With Refugees website. By being a member, an organisation/group is declaring public support for the following statement:
“How we treat refugees is about who we are. At our best, we are welcoming and kind to those facing difficult times. If any one of us feared for our lives or for our loved ones, we’d want to know that others would help us to safety. Together, we are calling for a better approach to supporting refugees that is more effective, fair and humane. This means standing up for people’s ability to seek safety in the UK no matter how they came here and ensuring people can live in dignity while they wait for a decision on their asylum application. It means empowering refugees to rebuild their lives and make valuable contributions to our communities. And it means the UK working with other countries to do our bit to help people who are forced to flee their homes. Be a part of our shared movement for change.”
2. Support the campaign launch
Please share the news on the campaign launch on the 10th May, on social media, on your website, with your networks – and in any other ways which help spread the word and grow the movement. We will update this post with further information when we get it.
3. Attend the Pre-launch Campaign rally on the 6th May at 5pm
Join the rally ahead of the campaign launch. Hear from key speakers from across the movement as we rally for a kinder, more compassionate approach to welcoming people seeking sanctuary in the UK. Registration for that event is here.
4. Attend the Facilitated Conversation to find out more (1st June at 11-12.30)
This will be an opportunity to learn more about the campaign, the planned activities around World Refugee Day on 20 June and future plans for joint action. It will be an opportunity for groups to share information on their plans for Refugee Week, Celebrating Sanctuary and beyond.
More information and registration information will be available here.
5. Mobilise behind coalition campaign actions, share the campaign on your social media channels, and engage your local media
We will be discussion mobilising during our June event, but for now some important dates for action/noting:
- 10 May when the coalition launches;
- 20 June World Refugee Day on
- July – 70th anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention
- The autumn when the Borders Bill is set to be debated in Parliament.
City of Sanctuary UK very much hopes that our vibrant and diverse network will be able to join us at this critical time and make a commitment to support this campaign.