Coming into an election year, we believe in 2018 it is important to think about how we can collectively work towards a humane policy towards refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia. We want to ask the question – how can we affect the change we want? 

As such, the Refugee Week launch event in Melbourne will provide a unique opportunity for us to come together to think outside the box, engage our creativity, get inspired, challenge each other and discuss ways that we can help create a refugee policy in our country that we can all be proud of. 

The aim of the event is to try to encourage people to think what we want to be celebrating this time next year and how we can all work together to get there. Our aim is to try to provide a space where a diverse array of people can come together to share ideas, plans, to challenge and inspire each other and stimulate new thinking. 

WHO A range of community members, supporters, high–profile speakers, students and friends with a focus on prioritising the voices of people with lived experience as a refugee and/or seeking asylum. Speakers include:

• Mariam Issa
• Neelima Choahan
• Barat Ali Batoor
• Lizzy Kuoth
• Bwe Thay
• Imtiyaz 'Minty' Saberi
• Joyce Chia
• with more TBA

WHAT A 2.5 hour engaging, interactive and inspiring discussion about how we can change Australia’s refugee policy and public debate.

We want to ask the question – how can we affect the change we want?

We would like to invite your insights, ideas and inspiration and have your say on how we can all work together to create a more humane policy for refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia. Send us your ideas, questions or a short pitch and we will present them at Melbourne’s Refugee Week Launch event at Federation Square’s Deakin Edge on Sunday June 17. Please keep your submissions to a maximum of 50 words.

You can also respond to other people's responses to show support and interest!

https://refugeeweek-refugeecouncilaus.nationbuilder.com/your_say

This event is supported by the City of Melbourne and the Victorian State Government.