Refugee Week is Australia’s peak annual activity to raise awareness about the issues affecting refugees and celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society.
Originally celebrated in 1986, Refugee Week coincides with World Refugee Day (20 June). In 2016, Refugee Week will be held from 19 to 25 June.
The theme for Refugee Week for 2015 to 2017 will be “With courage, let us all combine”.
Taken from the second verse of the national anthem, the theme celebrates the courage of refugees and of people who speak out against persecution and injustice.
It serves as a call for unity and positive action, encouraging Australians to improve our nation’s welcome for refugees and to acknowledge the skills and energy refugees bring to their new home.
In an interview with The eRecord, Perth Archdiocesan Chairperson for the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Catholic Alliance spoke about the current climate facing refugees and asylum seekers.
Australia, like many other countries, has grappled with the challenges of how to manage the growing numbers of people seeking refuge.
“Our geographic isolation has protected us to a great extent from being overwhelmed by the sorts of numbers of people seeking asylum and refuge in Europe and other countries,” said Mr Grech, who is also Manager, Catholic Social Services Development for the Archdiocese of Perth.
“By international standards, Australia accepts and accommodates relatively few refugees and does not accept asylum seekers who arrive by boat.
Recent media reports show that, despite the small numbers of people seeking entry into Australia by water, Australians have become preoccupied by what is perceived as the illegal or potential threat posed by these refugees, “Even when such entry is not illegal under international law, nor is there credible evidence to suggest mass threat,” said Mr Grech.
“Unfortunately, the impact of global terrorism has been successful in creating such disruption and fear as to visit the Horns Effect (opposite of Halo) upon all refugees.
“No matter how you regard this situation, the fact remains that we are talking about real people all made in the image of God.”
Mr Grech went on to say that, in the heat of the debate, it is very easy to forget that this is about the real lives of men and women, both old and young, children and babies, who, through no fault of their own, have had to flee their homeland due to persecution, unrest, war and devastation – or face annihilation or subjugation to invaders.
“The labels refugee or asylum seeker are increasingly becoming associated with a negative perception of people who are somewhat loathsome and not entitled to the usual standards of human treatment and care.
“Somehow, they are seen as being less than human.”
So, what impact will World Refugee Week have on most Australians? Mr Grech says he believes that, for the majority of us, very little.
“We are so used now to injustice in the world; we might have a momentary reaction, but we soon move on.
“I wonder if we have become so numb to pain and injustice because we witness so much of it on a daily basis, both at home and globally, that to deal with every issue would be simply overwhelming?”
Mr Grech says he believes this is especially true with global issues.
“Modern media enables us to de-personalise much of what we see and hear. It seems easier to relegate issues to ‘beyond our control’ and therefore not something we can personally resolve.
“We can then leave it to someone else to worry about.
“The reality, though, is that we currently have significant numbers of refugees and asylum seekers living in our community. Some have a certainty about their future (refugees) and others, none at all (asylum seekers). What they share in common is the loss of hope and the inability to return to their homelands and families. They now look to us for that hope.
“Can we, as Catholics and people of Christ’s family, ignore their presence among us? What would Christ do? I think He would gently take our hands, reassure us and introduce us.
“He would allow us to see the person, not the colour, see the smile, not hear the language; and feel the warmth, not the fear. He would say, ‘Do not be afraid, I am with you’.”
Mr Grech went on to say that World Refugee Week is about celebration of the courage of refugees.
“Let us look at how we can become more courageous as well,” he said.