The City of Sydney is also partnering with the Asylum Seekers Centre to host a major speaking event – Stronger Together – at Lower Town Hall on Thursday 20 June.

Speakers include Secretary General of the world’s largest human rights organisation, Amnesty International, Kumi Naidoo. Mr Naidoo will talk about the refugee crisis from an international viewpoint, detailing the latest worldwide developments involving refugees and people seeking asylum. Dr Graham Thom from Amnesty International Australia will cover the Australian and Pacific context.

Other speakers include Asylum Seekers Centre CEO, Frances Rush, and Lord Mayor Clover Moore

People go through incredibly difficult journeys to come and live in our city, forced from their homes by a fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, social group or political opinion.

This year’s Refugee Week theme recognises that sharing stories of these journeys and why people flee, helps us to better understand each other and, in turn, builds stronger communities.

A young woman supported by the Centre will share her experience of arriving in Australia and settling in a new community.

The event will also feature an uplifting performance by multicultural choir Phoenix Voices of Youth, in a joyous celebration of life, identity and hope.