(Sunday 18th to Saturday 24th June)
Theme: Finding Freedom
Scroll down for events and resources
Refugee Week is an important opportunity for us all to experience and celebrate the rich cultures of refugee communities through all kinds of events including theatre, music, dance, film, and food.
(Scroll down for a list of events involving churches)
The key aims of Refugee Week are:
• To celebrate the ways in which people from refugee back grounds enrich our communities and culture.
• To educate the public about who refugees are and why they have come to Australia, and to understand the many challenges they face in doing so.
• To foster empathy and understanding and in doing so, encourage a safe and welcoming environment for people seeking safety in Australia.
• To enable communities and individuals to take positive action and stand in solidarity with people seeking asylum and displaced people in Australia and around the world.
Refugee Week resource kit – download here
SA UCA Synod compilation of links and resources for Refugee Week
Common Grace – Bible Study resource (4 part)
Consider signing up to access Common Grace’s special four-part Bible Study Series exploring justice for people seeking asylum. Each study includes a story from someone with lived experience of seeking asylum, a bible passage, and a series of discussion questions that will inspire, challenge, and encourage you to reflect on the role and opportunity that each of us has in creating communities that love and seek justice for our refugee neighbours. It is our deep hope and prayer that this series will move you and your community closer towards God’s heart for justice, as we work towards the day when those who come to our shores for safety will be welcomed with kindness and compassion.
Consider writing to the Minister for Immigration, calling for a just and more compassionate response to those seeking asylum and refuge in Australia, including ending offshore processing, increasing Australia’s humanitarian intake, and increasing aid to address the Global Refugee Crisis. Together, our collective voices can have a powerful impact in calling our nation’s leaders to respond in compassion, welcome, love and action to those seeking safety on our shores. You may find Common Grace’s template letter helpful.

Download Refugee Week 2023 poster here
The following list some events happening in Victoria. What other events are happening in your area?
(email vcc@vcc.org.au with details to add to this listing)
EVENTS (please send more events to vcc@vcc.org.au)
List of events on official Refugee Week website
Sunday 18th June Film screening ‘The Soft-Skinned’
Followed by Q&A discussion with writer/director Nicola Tyndall-Biscoe.
Free
Time: 4-6pm
Venue: Ballarat Central Uniting Church
103 Lydiard St South, Ballarat Central
Bookings on Eventbrite
Ballarat Central Uniting Church, Compassionate Ballarat and Let’s talk peace – Ballarat partner together to present this important film. Synopsis: “Corporal Kath Davison is a mess, post-Afghanistan. Then a young asylum seeker turns up at her parents’ house.”
This story spotlights Refugee Week by sensitively exploring two Australian communities: Veterans suffering PTSD returning from the war in Afghanistan, and Afghani asylum seekers. In Ballarat, there is an Hazara Community.
Nicola Tyndale-Biscoe is a multi-award winning writer/director who is drawn to stories of cultural difference and connection. Her work has been broadcast on Australian television and screened at local and international film festivals.
Monday 19th June, 7-8pm – Free Webinar
Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce
(National Council of Churches in Australia)
Topic: Barriers and opportunities to access to tertiary education by refugees and those seeking asylum –
Zoom link here.
June 20th, 7pm Online prayer service for Refugee Week
Australian Catholic Migrant & Refugee Office.
Registration for Zoom here.
June 22nd, 12pm AEST
FREE ONLINE WEBINAR
