What is Refugee Week?
Every year in June, EREA schools celebrate Refugee Week. This week is dedicated to celebrating the contribution of refugees in our community while also raising awareness of the issues affecting refugees. By doing so, students are educated about what it is like to be a refugee in Australia.
Circle of Silence
St Mary's College Victoria describes participating in a Circle of Silence:
"This week we celebrated Refugee Week. It is Australia’s annual activity to inform everyone about refugees and celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society. The theme this year is Finding Freedom.
Today our students participated in a Circle of Silence to express solidarity with people seeking asylum and immigrants experiencing injustice."
You can see more activities from St Mary's College here
"This week we celebrated Refugee Week. It is Australia’s annual activity to inform everyone about refugees and celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society. The theme this year is Finding Freedom.
Today our students participated in a Circle of Silence to express solidarity with people seeking asylum and immigrants experiencing injustice."
You can see more activities from St Mary's College here
Act For Peace Ration Challenge
Several schools participated in the Act For Peace Ration Challenge, which involves raising money to eat the same rations as a refugee during World Refugee Week.
As explained by the RC website: "By taking the Ration Challenge, you'll be raising money that will help bring emergency food, hygiene kits, and life-changing support to refugees and people who have been forcibly displaced from their homes."
Learn more about participating in the challenge in 2024 here.
As explained by the RC website: "By taking the Ration Challenge, you'll be raising money that will help bring emergency food, hygiene kits, and life-changing support to refugees and people who have been forcibly displaced from their homes."
Learn more about participating in the challenge in 2024 here.
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"During Refugee Week, CBC's Social Action Group launched the Act for Peace Ration Challenge. The challenge involves living on the same rations that a Syrian refugee receives in a refugee camp.
We are proud of the students across Years 7-12 who participated to raise awareness, empathy and funds for detained refugee families. Hear some of their reflections in a Q&A feature here." . |
Edmund Rice Wollongong also participated the Ration Challenge, as well as organising a lunchtime fundraiser selling mujadara.
"As Refugee Week approaches (June 18-22), our incredible student leaders from Years 7-12, along with some of our teachers, fearlessly stepped up to participate in the Ration Challenge. They committed to eating only the meagre rations provided to refugees in detention centres for either 5 days (Yr 10-12/Staff) or 3 days (Yr 7-9). Through this initiative, they raised funds by seeking sponsorships, which will be used by Act for Peace to provide food and medical aid to refugee families worldwide.
Our volunteers faced a true test, as the limited quantity and variety of food were a stark contrast to our accustomed abundance. Nevertheless, they persevered admirably, raising awareness among their families and communities, advocating for sponsorship. The College also organised a lunchtime event, inviting others in our school community to join us for a $5 donation and share a meal of Mudjadara (rice with lentils) – huge thanks to our Hospitality Staff for preparing it!
"As Refugee Week approaches (June 18-22), our incredible student leaders from Years 7-12, along with some of our teachers, fearlessly stepped up to participate in the Ration Challenge. They committed to eating only the meagre rations provided to refugees in detention centres for either 5 days (Yr 10-12/Staff) or 3 days (Yr 7-9). Through this initiative, they raised funds by seeking sponsorships, which will be used by Act for Peace to provide food and medical aid to refugee families worldwide.
Our volunteers faced a true test, as the limited quantity and variety of food were a stark contrast to our accustomed abundance. Nevertheless, they persevered admirably, raising awareness among their families and communities, advocating for sponsorship. The College also organised a lunchtime event, inviting others in our school community to join us for a $5 donation and share a meal of Mudjadara (rice with lentils) – huge thanks to our Hospitality Staff for preparing it!
The three teams at ERC Wollongong (junior, senior, and staff) managed to raise over $10,000 to support this cause, which is a huge achievement.
Refugee Support Resources
- Act For Peace Ration Challenge
- Refugee Council of Australia
- Refugee Week website
- UN Refugee Agency for Australia
- Amnesty International
Remember to always look for opportunities to help local organisations!
