Forum Bulletin - Summer 2024

Refugee integration news

• A paper has been published on identifying policies that help refugees and host communities thrive across the world. The paper looks at policies, institutions and support systems that promote socio-economic integration in a variety of different settings and encourages broader conversations about effective policies for integration. (Source: Centre for Global Development)

• Our region celebrated and commemorated Windrush Day through various events, including an event ‘in conversation’ with four Windrush Generation nurses who shared stories of their experiences, as well as a Windrush cultural day with exhibitions, performances and cuisine. (Sources: Yorkshire Times, Jamaica Society) 

• A special exhibition during Refugee Week in Harehills, Leeds celebrated the legacy and positive impact that people seeking sanctuary have brought to their community. (Sources: BBC, Refugee Week) 

• Watch ‘Defiance’, a new 3-part series documenting the experiences of the British Asian community in the late 1970’s and how they stood up against the far-right, including here in Bradford. (Source: Channel Four)

• Mohammad Barrangi, an Iranian artist who came to the UK as a refugee in 2017, opens a show in Leeds that explores the theme of migration and disabilities. (Sources: BBC, Guardian)

• Razan Alsous and Raghid Sandouk ,a Syrian refugee couple living in West Yorkshire, were selected by Aldi to supply their cheese rolls in more than 1,000 of their stores. (Source: The National News)

• A pen-pal programme is launching a nationwide letter-writing initiative between newly-arrived children from migrant backgrounds and children who are longer-term UK residents. (Source: InfoMigrants)

We have a lot on sport this quarter:

• ‘Shared Goals’ is a report on the role of football clubs to bring together people from different ethnic, faith and social backgrounds. It looks at the ability of clubs to speak across social boundaries and offers suggestions on creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. (Source: British Future)

• This short film about Huddersfield Town Football Club ‘Terriers Together’ looks at how local pride in a football club can help support a sense of inclusivity and build shared place-based identities. (Sources: X)

• Acorn FC, a Hull based football team made up of players seeking asylum, had its first competitive match against Leeds United Foundation team at the Tigers Trust Arena. (Source: BBC)