Asylum Seekers & RefugeesThis is a featured page

This page contains information on BOOKS, WEBSITES, WOMEN, CHILDREN, OLDER PEOPLE, TRAINING, FUNDING, CITIZENSHIP tests, TERRORISM BILL, and BACKGROUND Reading

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NB To see the guide to the abbreviations used to indicate original sources see the Social Inclusion Information main page

New Stuff

  • Resource file for supporting asylum seeker and refugee learners http://www.gtce.org.uk/shared/contentlibs/85419/137277/199948/asr_resources.pdf The General Teaching Council for England has just published an updated version of its comprehensive resource file. It includes information about and links to resources on: useful websites; key publications, research and reports; resources for teaching and learning; Teachers’ TV programmes. (WTYL 24/11/08 and refed. http://www.refugeeeducation.co.uk/mailing.htm)
  • The European Council on Refugees and Exiles has launched a new website: http://www.ecre.org/ (WTYL 24/11/08)
  • Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Migration Partnership http://www.refugeeaccess.info/default.asp?step=4&pid=514 A new Yorkshire & Humber Regional Migration Partnership website will be launched to replace the Refugee Access website and will hopefully be online by the end of 2008. It will be advertised nearer the time. To keep up-to-date on what's happening with this, and receive links to new content on Refugee Access and the site, you can subscribe a website e-bulletin: email refugee.access@leeds.gov.uk. (WTYL 17/11/08)
  • Refugees 101 - Webjunction (in the United States) offer a variety of free webinars to enable library staff to learn from leaders and fellow practitioners. On 23 October 2008, Valerie Wonder, Immigrant & Refugee Programs Manager at Seattle Public Library (WA) and Homa Naficy, Manager of Multicultural Education and Outreach Services at Hartford Public Library (CT), presented a webinar providing an overview of refugee resettlement in the United States, including information on recent refugee populations, highlighting some successful approaches to serving refugees in public libraries. Slides and audio now available from webjunction site: http://www.webjunction.org/immigrants-and-world-languages/articles/content/21101551 The webjunction site also has lots of resources on reaching those whose first language is not English. The principles are applicable in the UK and resources include good practice, guidelines and checklists for practitioners available to download, such as this chapter from the Staying Connected Toolkit (not a newly published resource, but still useful). Staying Connected Toolkit. Chapter 11: Reach non-traditional library users http://www.webjunction.org/155/resources/wjarticles. (WTYL 17/11/08)
  • A right to a voice: Survival English for Asylum Seekers – launch of NIACE Campaign, Weds 10 December 2008, London, 9.45am – 3.15pm Attendance free. This conference aims to: To raise awareness of the needs of asylum seekers; To engage with the voluntary sector, refugee community organisations and faith community organisations; To plan action to set up survival English groups. See: http://www.niace.org.uk/Conferences/Conferences.htm (WTYL 17/11/08)
  • “Information services for migrants and refugees” - The presentations from the ILIG half-day seminar on 14 Oct by Helen Carpenter, Diana Edmonds and Amanuel Gebrekidan are now available to download from: http://www.cilip.org.uk:80/specialinterestgroups/bysubject/international/activities/training/pastseminars.htm (WTYL 10/11/08)
  • Inclusive Secondary Schools project – Regional Workshops 2008, 19 Nov Sheffield; 26 Nov London; 28 Nov Birmingham; 2 Dec Peterborough - The Refugee Council is organising a series of regional workshops to bring education practitioners together with Refugee Community Organisations (RCOs) and other community organisations in order to encourage joint working. The events will discuss the findings of the research and partnership working phases of the project and introduce the inclusive education resource pack: Hand in Hand: a resource pack to help meet the needs of refugees and asylum seekers in secondary school. This resource pack has been produced by the Refugee Council as part of the Inclusive Secondary Schools Project. The aim of the project was to pilot partnership working in four regions across England between secondary schools and refugee community organisations (RCOs) to provide inclusive secondary education to refugees and asylum seekers, and increase the role of their parents and carers in their education. This event will teach both schools and RCOs how to use this resource pack, how to form effective partnerships, and how to increase participation among refugee parents and carers in school activities. More information and downloadable booking form at: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/eventsandtraining/inclusiveschools.htm. (WTYL 10/11/08)
  • List of funding sources: http://www.partnershipdevelopmentproject.org.uk/html/funding_.html The Partnership Development Project is a project managed by MENTER, the regional network of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) organisations and communities for the East of England. Its main aim is to assist with the integration of asylum seekers, refugees and migrant workers in the East of England and to improve local community cohesion through partnerships working. Their website includes information which may be useful outside the region as well, for example list of some of the key funders supporting work around asylum seekers, refugees and migrant workers and signposting towards key funding websites. (WTYL 03/11/08)
  • Migration matters: planning for population change - This Local Government Association conference took place in January 2008, considering future trends and impacts of international migration and population movement within the UK. A write-up of all the presentations and slides are available to download from: http://www.lgar.local.gov.uk/lgv/core/page.do?pageId=55301. (WTYL 03/11/08) National Migration Conference (16th Oct 2008) - The IDeA has just published a range of documents related to this Conference which took place on 16 October. These include: Agenda and speakers’ presentations; Main findings of the IDeA Migration programme; Key messages from the Conference; Some 22 case studies. See: http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=8920192 (WTYL 03/11/08)
  • Fortress Britain: is immigration working?, 1 December, Urban Café, Dance City, Newcastle - Professor Andrew Geddes from Sheffield University will argue that immigration frenzies in the media and politics are largely missing the point. He will explore what he believes are more relevant questions on how to effectively manage migration, past, present and future. For more information see: http://www.ippr.org/ipprnorth/events/?id=3221 or email north@ippr.org (WTYL 03/11/08)
  • Promoting integration of vulnerable migrant groups, 24 Nov 2008, ippr, London - This is the third in a seminar series supported by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and draws on the findings of the JRF’s Immigration and Inclusion Programme. It will focus on irregular migrants, transient labour migrants and asylum-seekers and refugees. Participants will receive copies of new ippr research on the integration of Bangladeshi, Iranian, Nigerian and Somali migrants. The seminar aims to: translate recent research on immigrant integration and social inclusion into policy recommendations; consider the impact of policy interventions targeted at irregular migrants, transient labour migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees; share work and to consolidate networks between researchers and policymakers; disseminate best practice in migrant integration and social cohesion. More information and details of speakers at: http://www.ippr.org/events/?id=3264. For further information or to confirm attendance please contact Holly Andrew, Migration and Equalities Team, ippr (020) 7470 6170 or h.andrew@ippr.org (WTYL 03/11/08)
  • Asylum seeker and refugee seminars (http://www.irr.org.uk/pdf/CWDC_leaflet.pdf)Tue 4 November, Coventry; Thu 27 November Sheffield; Tue 2 Dec, Southampton. The Children’s Workforce Development Council, working with Northumbria University and the National Foundation for Educational Research, have set up a series of seminars to understand the skills and knowledge of people working with refugee and asylum seeker families. The long term aim is to provide training for individuals or groups to fill skills or knowledge gaps in relation to work in this area. Anyone working in local authorities or voluntary organisations with this audience is invited to attend to share understanding and good practice. Booking form: http://www.irr.org.uk/pdf/CWDC_form.doc (WTYL 03/11/08)
  • Charter of rights of women seeking asylum http://www.asylumaid.org.uk/pages/charter_of_rights_of_women_seeking_asylum.html The Charter is a framework of principles aimed at persuading the UK Border Agency to take both a strategic approach to the needs of women seeking asylum and to put in place the operational procedures and safeguards that will remove the discriminatory barriers they face. See weblink to view Charter, list of organisations that have endorsed it, link to Woman’s house programme with more information about the Charter and what to do if your organisation would like to endorse this work. (WTYL 27/10/08)
  • Migrant communities information page http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ACCI/web/site/Libraries/NS/lib_migrant.asp Aberdeen Library and Information Service example of web-based information about migrant communities information point and services offered, with links to leaflets in Polish and Russian. (WTYL 27/10/08)
  • Projects in Wales with economic migrants. Library project case study - The Welsh Local Government Association website features a case study of PAWB library project. PAWB means “everyone” in Welsh and also translates as public access without barriers, which is the aim of the library project developed by Rhondda Cynon Taff library service. A multi-lingual library website has been designed to help those less confident in English to find information about a variety of services in the area. Case study at: http://www.wlga.gov.uk/english/equalities-social-justice/case-study-example-pawb-library-project-rhondda-cynon-taf-library-service/ Multilingual website at http://library.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk/pawb/ (WTYL 27/1/08)
  • The Migration Excellence Programme http://www.communities.gov.uk/speeches/corporate/migrationexcellenceprogramme Text of a speech by Sadiq Khan MP, which emphasises the importance of migration to the UK, and outlines current Government-led initiatives. The Migration Excellence Programme is funded by DCLG and led by IDeA to provide “tailored support to councils and partnerships across the country, using expert peers and other resources” – see: http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=8552368 (WTYL 20/10/08)
  • Home To Home: animation films by Canterbury’s young asylum seekers - The young people took part in a two week film making project funded by Media Box at Canterbury Christ Church University in conjunction with Kent Refugee Action Network. More information at: http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/news/newsRelease.asp?newsPk=1213. To view each film see youtube links below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTVsOLXwiBw (Kamran’s Story. Synopsis: The story of a young Afghan’s life in Afghanistan and his journey to the UK); http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yJZYEvvqNU (Coming to England. Synopsis: Young asylum seekers tell their stories around a camp fire in the jungle in Calais about their time in France); http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X-WxtHBvoU (Our Country. Synopsis: A look at life in Iran and the United Kingdom through the eyes of a young Iranian); http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNyvz9rLaKM (Small Rabbits. Synopsis: An allegory of three rabbits who escape danger in their homeland, mirroring events in the young film-makers lives). (WTYL 20/10/08 and refed, http://www.refugeeeducation.co.uk/mailing.htm)
  • Refugee Integration and Employment Service (RIES) - The UK Border Agency awarded contracts for the Refugee Integration and Employment Service over the summer. The service, available to anyone over the age of 18 who has been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection, became operational from 1 October 2008. The following weblink above provides explanation of RIES and list of the successful bidders across England, Wales, Scotland and N Ireland: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/workingwithus/workingwithasylum/integration/ries/ Several areas are served by the British Refugee Council. The new service will receive referrals only from UKBA, directly from the asylum seeker’s case owner. The RIES support involves three elements: an advice service for 6 months (on benefits, housing, family reunion, etc.); an employment service for up to 12 months; a refugee mentoring service which can be accessed at any point in the first 12 months, and which lasts for up to 6 months. For more information on RIES delivered by the British Refugee Council, please contact Petronella Perret, Head of Operations petronella.perret@refugeecouncil.org.uk (WTYL 20/10/08 and LORECA e-newsletter www.loreca.org.uk)
  • Glasgow Girls campaign group feature in educational resource on refugee children http://www.sharedfutures.org.uk/ and http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/search/display.var.2451620.0.glasgow_girl_says_its_so_good_to_be_staying.php The Shared Futures resource, combining a DVD and educational pack, aims to help teachers learn good practice when welcoming refugee children to their community. Issues such as learning English as a second language, racist bullying, parental involvement and making friends are covered. The DVD features the Glasgow Girls group, which was set up by teenagers to campaign for the rights of asylum seekers and refugees after one of their fellow pupils, Agnesa Murselaj, was taken to a detention centre along with her family. Agnesa and her family have now received permanent leave to remain. (WTYL 13/10/08)
  • Refugee Week conference, Fri 21 Nov 2008, 10am-4.30pm, London - Free one-day event for anyone involved with Refugee Week. Aims are to celebrate achievements, learn from others in a supportive setting about models of good practice, input further into the overall evaluation of Refugee Week, discuss with the central Refugee Week team issues of concern and future support needs, make specific recommendations with regards to Refugee Week 2009 and for everyone to enjoy themselves. More info at: http://www.refugeeweek.org.uk/Events/conference-2008/ (WTYL 13/10/08)
  • 'New Londoners' is a collaboration between two charities, featuring photos taken by 15 young asylum seekers who were mentored by professional photographers. For PM on Radio 4, reporter Andrew Bomford met three of the asylum seekers - Chalak and Hassan from Iraq, and Loria from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Andrew Bomford's report will be broadcast on PM on Radio 4 between 1700 and 1800 BST on Monday 20 October. Slideshow and links to more info: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/7679807.stm (WTYL 20/10/08)
  • Refugee Education: If you're based in South Yorkshire and you believe difference should be celebrated then read on...reACT is a community group set up by refugees and asylum seekers. We are starting a new participatory arts project for people of ALL ethnic backgrounds, aimed at exploring cultural identity, intercultural communication and understanding, and promoting integration. You don't have to have any previous experience in acting to be involved and you can get involved in any way you like. Workshops start this Friday 10th Sept in central Sheffield. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact shuna@squarecirclearts.co.uk (refed@yahoogroups.com 08/10/08)
  • Refugee Week launches a new ‘Refugees in Literature’ online archive http://www.refugeeweek.org.uk/InfoCentre/refugees-in/ The Refugees in Literature section is an extensive archive of literature by refugee and non-refugee authors who have explored the themes relating to exile and refugees. The section lets you search for books by title or author and includes a synopses of each title as well as information about the author.Every month the Refugee Week UK team highlights one title from the archive. In October this is The Ministry of Pain by Dubravka Ugresic. The Literature archive is one part of the new ‘Refugees in Film, Literature and Music” section which is a comprehensive collection of refugee’s contributions to the arts. You can find the 'Refugees in …' section, along with a range of other information and educational materials, on the Refugee Week websites Info Centre! (WTYL 06/10/08 and Refugee Week UK Team)
  • ENAR Shadow Reports http://www.enar-eu.org/Page_Generale.asp?DocID=15294&la=1&langue=EN ENAR (the European Network Against Racism) produce “Shadow Reports” – “they are not a scientific study of the state of racism or discriminatory practices in EU Member States, but a compilation of information and data collected by its member organisations, a vast network of NGOs working on anti-racism, the protection of human rights and the provision of legal and other support to those facing discrimination, unequal treatment and marginalisation in the European Union.” ENAR have recently published their 2007 report on the UK (see: http://cms.horus.be/files/99935/MediaArchive/pdf/The%20situation%20of%20Roma%20in%20Europe%202007.pdf) (WTYL 06/10/08 and Runnymede’s October update, http://www.runnymedetrust.org/)
  • The charity Shelter has published a guide for asylum seekers and refugees on access to accommodation and housing support. It can be ordered from the Shelter website: http://england.shelter.org.uk/shop/publications/adviser_tools/housing_guides/asylum_seekers_and_refugees (WTYL 06/10/08 and Refugee Council news review)
  • RCO News and RCO Women’s News are newsletters for refugee community groups, produced by the Refugee Council. They are issued bi-monthly. RCO News has information on current opportunities, training, events and funding for refugee community groups as well as information on legislation and issues affecting London-based groups. RCO Women's News has similar categories of information but is specifically concerned with information pertaining to refugee women and asylum seekers. You can download current and previous issues from: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk:81/howwehelp/support/development/newsletters.htm. (WTYL 06/10/08)
  • Sheffield Libraries have now made an online 'Life in the UK' citizenship course available to library users through library webpages accessed via Sheffield City Council PCs. This includes practice tests, course material, a glossary of terms and useful contacts. The contact is dan.marshall@sheffield.gov.uk (Community Development Librarian)
  • Employment issues for refugees and asylum seekers in the UK http://www.icar.org.uk/employment_briefing ICAR has written a briefing paper on this topic. It provides an evidence-based introduction, focussing on law and policy, the asylum process and employment, refugees in the labour market, and barriers to employment. It accompanies the more detailed Navigation Guide on the same subject. (WTYL 22/09/08)
  • Refugee Awareness Project website – infovault resources. The Refugee Awareness Project (RAP) has produced a website with a useful infovault section. This makes available to all the activities used by RAP in workshops, information sheets on key issues, and other resources for doing refugee awareness, including first-hand accounts from real people Refugee Action has worked with, and facts and figures. Some resources are already online and others will go up over the next month or so. Start with weblink for infovault: http://www.refugee-action.org.uk/RAP/infovault.aspx and explore the rest of the site. (WTYL 22/09/08)
  • Gay Britain website launched, aimed at migrant gay men http://www.gaybritain.chapsonline.org.uk/index.htm The site includes leaflets to download in English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Polish. It also includes information such as guidelines for organisations working with migrants and an audit tool for professionals who work with migrants to help reduce their vulnerability to HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. CHAPS is a partnership of community-based organisations, co-ordinated by Terrence Higgins Trust, carrying out HIV health promotion with gay men in England and Wales. (WTYL 22/09/08 and Refugee Council news review)
  • New housing rights website for migrants: http://www.housing-rights.info/ A website with advice and guidance for frontline housing advisers or new migrants on housing rights has been launched by the Housing Associations’ Charitable Trust. (WTYL 22/09/08 and Refugee Council news review)
  • We Share the Same Sky Following a successful application to Arts Council England, Banner Theatre company is beginning work on this new production, featuring the stories of migrant workers from Poland, refugees from Afghanistan and visitors from Venezuela and looking at the connections between globalization and migration in the twenty-first century and how the world of work is changing as the economies of individual nations become part of a global economy driven by the agendas of global companies. Additional funding means the company is working with campaign groups and others in Sheffield exploring the journey and story of an asylum seeker from Afghanistan, complemented with work in the Handsworth district of Birmingham where the company will be working with indigenous black and Asian communities and with Polish migrant workers. See http://www.bannertheatre.co.uk/future_plans.htm for more information. (WTYL 15/09/08)
  • Kingsley’s Crossing http://www.mediastorm.org/0010.htm Film by Olivier Jobard, telling the story of one man’s journey from Africa to Europe … useful as an awareness-raising resource. (WTYL 15/09/08 and refed e-list. For details see: http://www.refugeeeducation.co.uk/mailing.htm)
  • Random Acts http://www.asylumaid.org.uk/pages/random_acts.html Random Acts, the play about a woman seeking asylum, by Debra Singer, co-ordinator of Refugee Women’s Resource Project, is now available to view online (18 mins) and as a DVD. Link above also includes interview with Debra and factsheet about issues facing women asylum seekers in the UK. The play is performed by Actors for Human Rights, iceandfire theatre’s national outreach network. More information: http://www.iceandfire.co.uk/afhr/ (WTYL 15/09/08)
  • National Year of Reading – Ideas to Inspire packs http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/vitallink/readingforpleasureideas.html#ideas The Vital Link libraries and adult literacy programme, together with the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), have created a series of ideas packs for practitioners working with adults in a range of different settings. Each contains a list of top ten ideas, case studies and a section on useful resources. The ideas packs include themes that may be useful for those working with refugees and asylum seekers or with migrants, eg ESOL learners, New readers. (WTYL 15/09/08)
  • Support website for Portuguese workers in the UK http://www.trabalharnoreinounido.org/ A web site specifically for the large number of Portuguese workers in the UK has been launched by the TUC. With input from Citizens Advice, it explains the rights that workers can expect at work and also contains information about social issues such as housing and health. (WTYL 15/09/08)
  • Multikulti: Habitual Residence test and Right to Reside http://www.multikulti.org.uk/habitual-residence-test-and-right-to-reside/ Multikulti have updated their information in the following languages: English, Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Slovenian, Slovak. (WTYL 15/09/08)
  • International migrants in rural areas: communities, impacts and issues 7 October 2008, St Martins in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, London, 10am-4pm The event, organised by thinktank ippr, aims to: present new research on the impact of migration on public services in rural areas; examine ways in which public services might become more responsive to migrants; present new research on the risk to rural economies caused by changing migration flows, and look at how these risks can be managed. More information at: http://www.ippr.org/events/?id=3235 (WTYL 08/09/08)
  • Information services for migrants and refugees Tue 14 Oct 2008, British Library pm (registration from 1.30pm) The International and Library Information Group (ILIG) of CILIP is running two half-day seminars on this day, one of which is on information services for migrants and refugees. It includes presentations by Helen Carpenter (Paul Hamlyn Foundation and former WTYL Project Co-ordinator), Diana Edmonds (Assistant Director Culture, Libraries and Learning, London Borough of Haringey) and Amanuel Gebrekidan (British Broadcasting Corporation, Future Media and Technology, Information and Archives) and will be chaired by Stephanie Kenna from the British Library. For more information and how to book see: http://www.cilip.org.uk/specialinterestgroups/bysubject/international/activities/training/default.htm. (WTYL 08/09/08)
  • Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. Funding for groups working with refugees and asylum seekers. For details see: http://www.theworkcontinues.org/landing.asp?id=4 Closing date for brief first-stage applications is 5pm on 12 September 2008. (WTYL 08/09/08)
  • Asylum seeker film wins award at US festival Trouble Sleeping, which covers the battles faced by asylum-seekers in Edinburgh, has won the prize for Best Narrative Feature at the Peace on Earth Film Festival in Chicago. The film was made with the help of Edinburgh asylum-seekers and was recently shown on BBC Two and at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. More information at weblink: http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinburgh/City-asylum-seeker-film-scoops.4443003.jp. (WTYL 08/09/08 Refugee Council news review 19 Aug – 1 Sep 08)

    • Audit Commission website on migrant workers http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/migrantworkers/ This website expands on the Audit Commission’s report Crossing Borders published in 2007, which looked at the varying impact that the increase in migration for work has had in different parts of England. The website includes additional and expanded case study material, with a particular focus on data issues and on engaging with migrant workers themselves. One of the case studies (no 11) looks at changes to Cumbria’s library service. (WTYL 01/09/08)
  • Fundraising toolkit for Refugee Community Organisations http://www.thebasisproject.org.uk/toolkit/fundraising/ This toolkit guides you through the fundraising process: developing a strategy, considering different ways to raise funds, making applications, managing your project and evaluating its success. Whilst it is intended for Refugee Community Organisations it includes lots of very useful generic tips and advice. (WTYL 01/09/08)
  • Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust – three new reports 1) Not moving on: Still destitute in Leeds. Download the summary at: http://www.jrct.org.uk/core/documents/download.asp?id=329 (pdf file, 83kb) Download the full report at: http://www.jrct.org.uk/core/documents/download.asp?id=330(pdf file, 1.18mb) 2) Immigration and social cohesion in the UK: The rhythms and realities of everyday life. by Mary Hickman, Helen Crowley and Nick Mai on: Download the report at: https://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/2230-deprivation-cohesion-immigration.pdf (pdf file 592kb); 3) Immigration and inclusion in South Wales Download the report at: http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/2290-wales-migration-cohesion.pdf (pdf file 328kb) (WTYL 01/09/08)
  • All the Welcome To Your Library project partners’ final reports are now available on the Welcome To Your Library website. http://www.welcometoyourlibrary.org.uk/listDocuments.asp?page_id=70 (WTYL 01/09/08)


Books & Magazines (& exhibition resources)

  • New Londoners: advance notice of new book of photo stories - PhotoVoice has been running a mentoring project called New Londoners, bringing together 15 of London’s recent arrivals with 15 photographer mentors. The participants, aged between 15 and 21, from Africa, Asia and the Middle East, all share one common experience: they are young refugees separated from their families, who have been given sanctuary in London and are re-building their lives here. Through the participants’ photographs and stories we learn something of their lives, not just as refugees, but as young people sharing similar hopes and fears to teenagers all over London. A selection of New Londoners stories will be published in a high quality photography book due to be published in October 2008. See: http://www.photovoice.org/html/projects/photovoiceprojects/ukandireland/movinglives/newlondoners.html, and for informative project update and article, with more about the book: http://www.photovoice.org/html/projects/photovoiceprojects/ukandireland/movinglives/nlarticle.html (WTYL 23/06/08)
  • Inter-sections blog (http://intersections.wordpress.com/ ), about migration past and present in all its forms, has an entry for 28 May 2008, with a personal selection of top 10 list of books (in this case fiction) “with a diaspora, migration, identity bent.” See: http://intersections.wordpress.com/2008/05/28/favorite-fiction/#respond The personal selection has been posted by Sanaz, who, according to the blog “who we are” section is researching the Iranian Diaspora post 1979 and the effects of transnational media within this diaspora at School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. (WTYL 16/06/08)
  • Homelands: Stories by African People in Rochdale is a collection of beautifully illustrated stories and poems by African people in Rochdale. In English, French and Portuguese, the book gives voice to their experiences of life in their home countries of Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the UK. From traditional morality tales full of wisdom, to reflective new poetry and poignant stories about the realities of daily life, this book offers the reader a vivid and captivating picture of African culture. The booklet has been published by the Tell Us Another One project at Cartwheel Arts and a number of books are available free of charge to good homes! See: http://www.cartwheelarts.org.uk/images/homelands.pdf Please contact Kim Haygarth at Cartwheel Arts via kim@cartwheelarts.org.uk for more information. (WTYL 09/06/08)
  • Coins of the people - Proverbs from refugee communities Booklet of with 37 pages of proverbs, brought here by refugees from far away places and cultures, around 18 themes, such as courage, enemies, homeland, hospitality, money, etc. The aim is to offer wisdom to the wider community and the booklet is published in the hope that the proverbs will, in time, replenish and enrich the English language. The booklet is for sale for £5.00 (including postage) or £3.00 if you order 10 or more. Cheques to be made payable to Evelyn Oldfield Unit (EOU) and sent to: EOU - 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA. For further information please see: http://www.evelynoldfield.co.uk/ or contact EOU on 020 7700 8213 administrator@evelynoldfield.co.uk (WTYL 26/05/08)
  • Suitcases Tour Libraries: I Packed This Myself – a travelling exhibition of three suitcases throwing a spotlight on the lives of migrant workers – is now touring libraries: http://www.bridging-arts.com/projects/travelling-suitcase-exhibition The suitcases (one Portuguese, one Eastern European and the other lined with mirror) launched at St Austell Library in Cornwall where we held workshops with schools and a mini event (with chorizo and red wine) for library visitors on the Saturday morning of Bank Holiday weekend. Librarians read bilingual stories (using the Talking Pen) and we gathered ideas for additions to the library. One Portuguese visitor who worked locally even volunteered to loan his own collection of Portuguese books to the library! Both schools and other visitors contributed their thoughts about travel, identity and personal possessions to the book we are creating to travel with the suitcases. The exhibition will now be visiting other libraries in Cornwall and is available to tour – please email susanroberts@bridging-arts.com for more details or call 020 8749 9010. (WTYL 12/05/08)
  • A book written by an Albanian refugee who escaped ethnic cleansing in Kosovo was shortlisted for the prestigious Sundial Scottish Arts Council awards. Shadow behind the Sun tells the story of Remzije Sherifi and her family in Kosovo and how they started a new life in Scotland: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Refugee39s-tale--onshortlist.3842901.jp (WTYL 25/03/08 and Refugee Council News Review newsletter 4-17 Mar)
  • Strawberry fields inspire author http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7292640.stm Marina Lewycka has chosen Kent’s strawberry fields as the setting for her new novel, Two Caravans. Dedicated to the Morecambe Bay cockle-pickers, Professor Lewycka's book looks at the experiences of immigrant farm workers….Over the next two months, reading groups across Kent are being invited to read Two Caravans, in a scheme backed by Kent Libraries. (WTYL 17/03/08)
  • If Salt Has Memory - Forthcoming anthology edited by Jennifer Langer of Exiled Writers Ink, comprising essays, memoir and fiction by Jewish writers in exile from many lands – contributors include the former leader of the Tupamaros guerrillas in Uruguay, a French philosopher from Tunisia, political activists from Zimbabwe, Iran, Argentina and writers from Yemen, Bosnia, Cuba, Poland and South Africa. The anthology is particularly strong on Jewish writers in exile from Iraq – several essays are translated from Arabic – Iran and South America. For more information see: http://fiveleaves.co.uk and scroll down to forthcoming titles section. (WTYL 25/02/08)
  • Books about the refugee experience: The Refugee Council has added to their website reviews of novels, anthologies, non-fiction, children’s books, graphic novels and photography, including Refugee Council volunteer Jade Amoli-Jackson's personal account of her journey to the UK, published as part of Penguin anthology on immigration experiences in November 2007. See: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/practice/basics/books/ (WTYL 25/02/08) English PEN (http://www.englishpen.org/) is aiming to develop a new strand of work working with Refugee and Asylum Seekers: One of PEN’s briefs is to promote literature as a means of intercultural dialogue.
  • The Readers & Writers’ Programme’s Refugee and Asylum Seekers’ Project will do that by "bringing writers and these communities together, encouraging and facilitating participation and dialogue, and enabling the host and the new communities to take a significant step towards each other". A series of sessions are planned where an established writer will talk and work with people from local Refugee and asylum seekers’ groups, in a neutral space, most likely a library. There will be three pilot sessions in Islington and in Kensington & Chelsea. Further info from Simon Burt, the Director of the Readers and Writers programme at English PEN, simon@englishpen.org (WTYL 18/02/08) [English PEN also have sections on their website devoted to Writers In Prison: http://www.englishpen.org/writersinprison/ and Writers In Translation: http://www.englishpen.org/writersintranslation/ ]
  • List of publications by exiled writers associated with Exiled Writers Ink Exiled Writers Ink! website now includes not only details of their magazine but also a list of publications by exiled writers associated with the organisation. See http://www.exiledwriters.co.uk/publ.shtml and scroll down page. (WTYL 21/01/08)
  • Words are not enough http://arts.guardian.co.uk/art/photography/story/0,,2217185,00.html Each year around 4,000 refugee children arrive alone in Britain. Without friends or family, and unable to speak English, they face a frightening future. Sarfraz Manzoor reports on a project that lets them use photography to tell their own stories. (WTYL 03/12/07 & The Guardian)
  • The Suitcase Stories: refugee children reclaim their identities by Glynis Clacherty http://www.africabookcentre.com/acatalog/index.html Glynis Clacherty became involved with a group of refugee children who had arrived in Johannesburg without parents, friends or family from countries of Africa that had been torn apart by civil wars and coups. As a way of helping them deal with the trauma of their flight and their arrival in a strange, sometimes hostile adoptive country, she brought together a number of second-hand suitcases and gave them to the children to paint their personal stories and recent histories. Published 2006. More information and ordering details in Africa Centre catalogue or contact orders@centralbooks.com (WTYL 3/12/07)
  • Exiled Ink! Magazine http://www.exiledwriters.co.uk/ The latest issue is now out, with a special feature on integration, and includes poetry by Nkosana Mpofu. (WTYL 09/12/07)
  • Refugee Council volunteer Jade Amoli-Jackson is one of sixteen writers whose work has been published in an anthology, ‘From there to here’. The book is the result of a competition run by decibel in association with Penguin, which invited writers to submit short stories about their personal experiences of immigration to the UK: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/news/news/2007/december/20071206.htm See also: http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,2218770,00.html and http://www.amazon.co.uk/There-Here-Immigration-Britain-Anthology/
    dp/0141034114     (WTYL 17/12/07)
  • Multilingual information leaflet http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/practice/multilingual/advisers/support/
    section4.htm     Refugee Council multilingual information leaflet, 'Are you destitute and at the end of the asylum process?', has been updated to reflect changes in legislation and procedures. It can be downloaded in 19 languages. (WTYL 19/11/07 and Refugee Council e-newsletter 5 Nov 07)
  • Book drive satisfies a thirst for words in Ethiopia http://www.kansascity.com/649/story/360129.html Read how Yohannes Gebregeorgis co-founded Ethiopia Reads (see http://www.ethiopiareads.org/ ). Gebregeorgis was taught to read in Ethiopia by Peace Corps volunteers. He came to the United States as a political refugee, earned a master’s degree in library science and became a children’s librarian at the San Francisco Public Library. He has since returned to live in Ethiopia but travels back to the United States to speak about the project. (WTYL 19/11/07)Sexual Health, Asylum Seekers and Refugees. A Handbook for people working with refugees and asylum seekers in England http://www.fpa.org.uk/community/refugees/index.cfm?contentid=40 Report published by Family Planning Association as a result of research by several organisations is now available via their website (see link above) for more background and for the handbook. On the same webpage there are also details of a community research report , Sexual Health in Exile on the sexual health concerns, issues and needs of refugees and asylum seekers in South and West Yorkshire. (WTYL 29/10/07)
  • Connections exhibition: available for hire in 2008 http://www.connections-exhibition.org/ The Connections Exhibition is a 24-panel travelling show which charts the histories and experiences of Asian, Black and Jewish immigrants to Britain. It was launched at City Hall, London in October 2004 and has since been travelling around the country to schools, libraries, community centres, small museums, churches and festivals. It has been fully booked since the launch and is booked until the end of 2007. It has recently received additional funding which will enable it to be offered for hire until the end of 2008. Contact: Vicky Joseph, Project Manager, Connections Exhibition (Tel 07981 169932, info@connections-exhibition.org ) (WTYL 15/10/07)
  • New multilingual information on case resolution http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/practice/multilingual/
    advisers/support/case-resolution.htm     The latest leaflet from the Refugee Council's information team explains what asylum seekers need to do when they receive a questionnaire from the Case Resolution Directorate at the Home Office. It is available in English and 18 other languages. It can also be found on the Refugee Council's multilingual website: http://languages.refugeecouncil.org.uk/     (WTYL 15/10/07)
  • Hope College is a liberal arts, undergraduate college in the US, affiliated with the Reformed Church in America. On 2-3 Oct 2007 it is holding a symposium entitled "Immigration: Shaping and Re-shaping America2". Their website includes a booklist of selected fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry. (WTYL 24/09/07)
  • Migrants Rights News The first edition is now available. You can view online and/or subscribe to receive by e-mail once a month. See http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/enews/september.htm (WTYL 17/09/07)
  • Mobiles, Money and Mayhem: the facts and fibs about asylum http://www.refugee-action.org.uk/ourwork/projects/refugeeawareness.aspx The Refugee Awareness Project, co-ordinated by Refugee Action has produced this myth-busting pocket guide which aims to put information at peoples' fingertips so they can influence others. See weblink above to download the National, East Midlands, North West and South West versions of the guide or how to obtain a hard copy and to find out more about the Refugee Awareness Project. (WTYL 17/09/07)
  • From outside in: refugees and British society New publication that brings together contributions by poets, playwrights, journalists and those with no previous writing experience from fifteen different countries to reflect on what Britain and British cultural identity means to them. Cost: £11.99. Further info from: http://www.counterpoint-online.org/cgi-site/biblio.cgi?action=detail&id=69. [WTYL 06/08/07 and Philip Wark]
  • Refugee Council E-shop New online shop, and the only way to buy books from the Refugee Council
    http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/practice/eshop/index.htm?knownurl=http
    %3a%2f%2fwww.refugeecouncil.org.uk%2fpractice%2feshop%2f     [WTYL 09/07/07]
  • See: www.exiledwriters.co.uk for information about a new magazine/ webzine 'Exiled Ink' (the Landscape of Exiled Women with poetry, prose and essays on a range of subject areas) . Plans are to include articles in mothertongue. [WTYLJ 27/07/07] They are particularly interested in work by exiled writers living outside London. Please send to: lynette.craig@btinternet.com. Please send all other articles, poetry, prose, drama and images to:jennifer@exiledwriters.fsnet.co.uk [WTYL 20/08/07]
  • Valentino Achak Deng Foundation (Sudanese): 'What is the What' by Dave Eggers http://www.valentinoachakdeng.org/ This is the novelized autobiography of Valentino Achak Deng, from his pre-war life in southern Sudan to his resettlement in the United States. See weblink above to read a sample chapter, download a reader's guide, or view additional comments and reviews, and to find out more about the VAD Foundation. (WTYL 28/08/07)
  • Find the Help You Need - a free self-help guide for disabled refugees and asylum seekers. This new guide, initially in English, has been published by the National Information Forum. It is intended to demystify the respective entitlements of disabled refugees and asylum seekers, to provide signpost information about disability services, benefits and opportunities in Great Britain, and to encourage those who need help to take advantage of them. Available in boxes of 42 or in lesser quantities. They want to make the guide known within refugee communities, to ask if it would be welcome in other languages (and, if so, which are needed most), and whether you think it would be more useful to be able to download the text from our website rather than in print. Contact the National Information Forum at: Post Point 905, BT Burne House, Bell Street. London NW1 5BZ, Tel: 020 7402 6681, E.mail: info@nif.org.uk Website: www.nif.org.uk (John Vincent for WTYL 04/06/07 and 05/09/07)

Useful Organisations & Websites (inc. Blogs)

[For The Network & Welcome to Your Library - see under Background Reading towards the bottom of the page]
  • Refugee Council Multilingual Advice Leaflets http://languages.refugeecouncil.org.uk/ There are two new free leaflets in multiple languages available to download from the Refugee Council multilingual website: Schools for children - information factsheet for refugee parents; Sexual health - information factsheet (WTYL 28/07/08)
  • EISODOS (Greek for entrance, gateway, access), is an online information resource aimed at those working in an advisory capacity with EU migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. EISODOS provides advisers with profiles of countries from which migrants have arrives, as well as general rules and regulations applicable to all migrants. There is specific information regarding living, working and studying in the UK. The latter is available in 23 languages and can be printed out for individual clients. (from and enquiry to WTYL 28/07/08)
  • Human Rights TV ( http://www.humanrightstv.com/ ) exists to “empower the voice seldom heard”. It is a non-profit-making organisation run by volunteers who are highly skilled in their own profession. The website is an online video resource and includes, for example, all of the hearings of the Independent Asylum Commission. (WTYL 21/07/08)
  • Migrant Organisations’ Development Agency (MODA) informs, supports and gives a voice to migrant and minority ethnic community organisations across London. See: http://www.moda.org.uk/index.htm It has a useful weekly ( http://www.moda.org.uk/infoservices/ebulletin/2008-06-04/ebulletin.htm ) which you can access from their website. (WTYL 16/06/08)
  • Southend Library Service’s Polish translation service/ Nasze Essex (Our Essex) - Starting from Friday 6th June, Southend Central Library will begin holding a weekly Polish Translation Service each Friday in the Ground Floor Meetings Room (10.00am-2.00pm). In addition, Southend Libraries will also start to receive free copies of a new bi-monthly Polish magazine called Nasze Essex (Our Essex) [See: http://www.nasze-essex.co.uk/ but NB it's still being developed]. It has a wide range of listings and dual language articles, including information on services such as recycling, police, sport etc. (WTYL 09/06/08)
  • Guide for refugees and asylum seekers - Advice-resources (website aimed at those working in IAG – information, advice and guidance) have updated (April 2008) two downloadable guides designed to provide information specifically for and about asylum seekers and refugees. The guide covers topics such as: immigration status, rights and entitlements, learning English, training and education, volunteering, employment and re-qualification. Changes include: greater information on obtaining work experience in the UK; what to expect from a work placement; education fee rates for 2008-2009; additional web links and new references to IAG materials for advisers. There are two versions of the guide: one for the adviser, and one for clients for their reference. The clients' copy is available in Arabic, English, Farsi, French, Kurdish, Pashto, Somali, Tigrinian, Turkish and Urdu. The guide was produced by RAGU (Refugee Assessment and Guidance Unit) at London Metropolitan University. See: http://www.advice-resources.co.uk/adviceresources/general/guides/asylum/ (WTYL 09/06/08)
  • Integrating new migrants: communicating important information is an important new resource produced by IDeA, which is intended to help local authorities (and others) develop ‘welcome packs’ for new arrivals. The resource is in four parts: A generic information resource that can be used as the basis for an information resource in your area; Analysis of existing information resources (including a list of factors that support a successful information resource; a decision-making self-assessment tool; an outline plan and critical path for producing a resource); Tools and guidance for involving community stakeholders; A generic framework to help you monitor and evaluate information resources. There are lots of good ideas for contacting, consulting and informing new migrants, and several references to work in libraries. See: http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/aio/7929812 (WTYL 19/05/08)
  • Amnesty have produced a useful teaching resource for Refugee Week – see http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=10838#seeking for access to teaching resources, lesson plans, assembly packs, books and interactive games from Amnesty and others. (WTYL 02/06/08)
  • “iRefugee is an online space bringing together refugees' stories in their own words. From innovative online exhibitions, blogs and podcasts to books and plays, we aim to highlight the creativity bursting out of the internet from many of those who have fled persecution and landed on our shores.” See: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/news/irefugee/ (WTYL 05/05/08 & Refugee Council newsletter 28 April)
  • Refused ... and then what? http://www.irr.org.uk/pdf/JRS_actionpointsleaflet.pdf (pdf file, 1.3mb) The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS-UK) has published a set of ten action points to assist asylum seekers and refugees. Download leaflet at weblink above. (WTYL 14/04/08 and www.irr.org.uk)
  • When WTYL asked for examples of good practice on Working with Eastern Euopean migrant workers to pass on the the National Year of Reading team, there were lots of replies, and these are summarised on The Network website: http://www.seapn.org.uk/informationResources.asp?cat_id=77 (WTYL 10/03/08)

    • RefugeeMap is a collaborative Wiki providing easy and accessible information for volunteers, especially young people, working with refugees in England. This site seeks to gather in one place easily accessible information on refugee situations, news and policy, and volunteering opportunities around the UK. For press release with more background info see link above. RefugeeMap is at: http://refugeemap.wikidot.com/ (WTYL 10/03/08)
  • The City of Sanctuary movement is working to build a culture of hospitality for refugees and asylum-seekers in cities and towns across the UK. See: http://www.cityofsanctuary.com/ for more information, and also the Refugee Council's website: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/gettinginvolved/campaign/other_campaigns/cityofsanctuary.htm for a summary of the story so far and what’s planned, including a first national conference in June 2008. (WTYL 25/02/08)
  • The Refugee Council website now includes links to a useful selection of key policy/ strategic papers for the sector, which the Refugee Council has often been involved in developing and whose findings it supports. See: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/policy/external_reports/ (WTYL 25/02/08)
  • Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) website news page on community cohesion: This includes details of free downloadable guide to help local authorities produce and distribute information to migrants and information about a series of events to bring those working in community cohesion together to shape policy development, debate key issues and network with peers. Events are taking place on 27 February in Buckinghamshire, and 19 March in Taunton. Also includes an article from Boston Borough Council about dealing with increase in migrants and calling for more funding and sharing of knowledge. For details, see. http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=6902625 . (WTYL 11/02/08)
  • Education Action is announcing new and improved education and training services for refugees and asylum seekers in the UK, including free online advice, e-newsletters and training courses. Refugee educational advice: http://www.education-action.org/advice (WTYL 19/11/07 and Refugee Council e-newsletter 5 Nov 07)
  • Refugee advocacy: http://www.education-action.org/refugeeadvocacy (WTYL 19/11/07)
  • New film on destitution http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=10398
    Documentary maker Nick Broomfield has made a new short film for Amnesty International to highlight the issue of destitute refused asylum seekers in the UK. Watch "Still human, still here". (WTYL 19/11/07 and www.refed.org.uk)
  • Refugee Heritage Project. Report on the London Museums Hub project to record refugee heritage, 2004-6 http://www.mlalondon.org.uk/renaissance/index.cfm?NavigationID=364 This report presents the preliminary findings from the Hub's refugee heritage project, which outline how community-based museum projects can produce benefits for individuals, communities and organisations. It shows that if this work is to continue, museums need to understand that short-term outreach projects need to be part of a wider drive to change the composition of collections, displays and the workforce. (WTYL 12/11/07)Asylum Aid – new website: http://www.asylumaid.org.uk/index.php (WTYL12/11/07)
  • Refugee Agencies' map http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/howwehelp/partners/partnership/iap.htm The Refugee Council has produced a downloadable a map of the locations of the 'one stop services' provided by refugee agencies (includes phone numbers, addresses and opening times). (WTYL 29/10/07)
  • Refucast “Refucast is a podcast initiative for refugees in UK by Kubatana International Communications. Kubatana means togetherness in the Zimbabwean shona language …”http://www.refucast.blogspot.com/ [WTYL 02/07/07 and Kevin Harris]
  • Infopankki (Infobank) website in Finland. This 'web-based information to welcome immigrants' website began as a project co-ordinated by International Cultural Centre Caisa and Helsinki City Library. It was recently shortlisted in the European e-government awards. http://www.infopankki.fi/en-GB/home/ [WTYL 20/08/07]
  • Forced to flee: The 3rd edition of Refugee Action Group’s FAQs about refugees and asylum-seekers in Northern Ireland has just been published. [WTYL 16/07/07]
  • Refugee Week The Refugee Council website has a round-up of the Week, including a slideshow of events
    http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/news/news/2007/June/20070629.htm     See http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/news/reviews/newsreview.htm for a review of news coverage too. [WTYL 09/07/07]
  • Photome online exhibition Photome is an exhibition of photographs that explores and reflects on our sense of home and belonging – the Photome photographers are a group of young people who attend the Tuesday drop-in social evening held at the Refugee Council.
    http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/howwehelp/directly/children/photome/ [WTYL 09/07/07]
  • Migrants Rights Network websiteThe Migrants Rights Network will be launching their new website on 1 July - see a preview at: http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk. [WTYL 18/06/07]
  • Refugee Council Poliblog http://refugeecouncil.typepad.com/poliblog/ The Refugee Council has just launched a blog to better share information about the politics of refugee and asylum issues in the UK. [WTYL 11/06/07]
  • Key organisations working for and with refugees http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/practice/basics/links/ A new section on the Refugee Council website lists other organisations which provide specialist advice to refugees or link refugee and asylum issues to broader debates on migration and human rights. [WTYL 11/06/07]
  • Forced Migration current awareness blogAs well as WTYL, examples of other library programs and services designed specifically to target refugee and/or immigrant populations are described at weblink above. Forced Migration Online (FMO) provides instant access to a wide variety of online resources dealing with the situation of forced migrants worldwide - for more information see http://www.forcedmigration.org/ [WTYL 29/05/07]
  • Information Centre about Asylum Seekers & Refugees (ICAR)
    http://www.icar.org.uk/ ICAR briefings are succinct reference guides to the key issues relating to asylum and refugees in the UK. See weblink above for new briefings on Women Refugees and Asylum Seekers in the UK and the Somali refugee community in the UK (WTYLJ 28/08/07)
  • The Refugee Council have a multilingual website with help and advice: http://languages.refugeecouncil.org.uk/ (WTYLJ 03/09/07)
  • iDP Voices website - The Norwegian Refugee Council's Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) has developed a new website to recount the individual stories of people who have had to flee their homes as a result of armed conflict and human rights.http://www.idpvoices.org/ (WTYLJ 03/09/07)
  • Newcomers - www.newcomers.org.uk E-list migrant and refugee education, benefits, education, employment, housing, training and welfare. Updates include multilingual and translated resources and new publications.
  • Website with education and employment advice for refugees and asylum seekers http://www.education-action.org/default.asp?pageref=203 Education Action International has produced a clear and inviting website with a lot of useful information for refugees and asylum seekers. [WTYL 21/05/07]
  • Africa Educational Trust http://www.africaeducationaltrust.org.uk/uk.html In the UK, Africa Educational Trust offers support for students and refugees of African descent, training and capacity building for London-based African organisations, lobbying and advocacy work with other organisations to represent the views and concerns of refugees and asylum seekers and it also manages various memorial funds. [WTYL 21/05/07]
  • Volunteers Centre Sheffield/ Refugee Housing Association/ WEA DVD 'Volunteering for Asylum Seekers & Refugees' (plus supplementary info on Voluntary Action Sheffield, and Good Practice Guidelines on Criminal Records Checks) (Email Gilly to borrow the SINTO Office copy)
  • Refugee Week June www.refugeeweek.org.uk See this website for details of events all over the country. Some events have their own website, for example in Birmingham see: <http://www.celebrating-sanctuary.org.uk/ (Info from Mary Harrington, Doncaster Libraries)
  • For immigration history, see www.movinghere.org.uk (includes Jewish, South Asian, Irish & Caribbean records)
  • The Refugees Communities History Project has produced mobile exhibitions, CDRoms, and a film available free of charge to Libraries: 020 7700 8143/ 214 or email jess@evelynoldfield.co.uk (UM 5 (3) March 2006)

    Women

    • The Independent Asylum Commission (IAC) has just published its second and third reports: Safe return (2nd report) http://www.independentasylumcommission.org.uk/files/Safe%20Return%20final.pdf, the second report, looks at the issues surrounding the return of refused asylum-seekers; Deserving dignity (3rd report) http://www.independentasylumcommission.org.uk/files/10.07.08.pdf, [nb file is 5+Mb] the third report, looks at the treatment of asylum-seekers in terms of detention, the need for access to work, treatment of children, and the needs to ensure the dignity of women, torture survivors, those with health needs and LGBT asylum-seekers. (WTYL 21/07/08)
    • "Am I safe yet" WAST Manchester [Women Asylum Seekers Together] are publishing on 11 July a collection of narratives told by eleven of their members – “The narratives are horrific and can be difficult reading but there is no gentle way to describe the terrible reality that forces these women to flee from their home countries to seek international protection, and the often inhumane way in which they are treated while passing through the asylum system in the UK. Some of these stories have been told over and over again as the storyteller bares her very soul." Further details from http://www.wast.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7&Itemid=13 . (WTYL 07/07/08)
    • ICAR (Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees in the UK) has updated its navigation guide on women refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. It provides detailed overview of key issues and statistics and is accompanied by a succinct briefing paper, also available via: http://www.icar.org.uk/womensguide . (WTYL 02/06/08)
    • Quilts in the library http://poetrychook.blogspot.com/ Blog from Christchurch, New Zealand. See entry for Saturday November 17th about an exhibition of quilts made by the local Refugee and Migrant Quilt Group at her library. (WTYL 26/11/07)
    • Vulnerable women http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/supportourwork/vulnerable-women/index.htm As part of their winter appeal, the Refugee Council are launching 4 podcasts over the next four weeks, highlighting the Refugee Council’s work with vulnerable women who have claimed asylum in the UK, and the work the Refugee Council does to help them rebuild their lives in safety. (WTYL 26/11/07)
    • The Refugee Women's Resource Project has produced a leaflet directed at asylum-seeking women which explains the Home Office policy for deciding women's asylum claims. This is available to download from the weblink above in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, Pashto, Somali, Turkish, Tigrinya, Urdu and Vietnamese. An audio CD for training and awareness-raising purposes is also available (free), covering the Home Office policy for deciding women’s asylum claims and the consequences if this policy is not followed. The six tracks can each be used individually (15 minutes total). The CD is in English only. For more information see above web link or e-mail women@asylumaid.org.uk [WTYL 30/07/07]
    • How to Set Up and Run a Women's Conversation Club http://www.nrcentre.org.uk/women/ConversationSetUp.html This handbook provides background on refugees and asylum seeker women, what a women's conversation club is and in 10 steps sets out how to set up and run one. The handbook is produced by the Northern Refugee Centre, which improve services and provides opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers in the Yorkshire and Humber region, but this is a very valuable document for use anywhere. [WTYL 21/05/07]
    • The East African Women’s Group (MAMA) is proud to announce the upcoming release of its fifth publication: The Asylum Seeker. The true accounts of numerous Somali asylum seekers have been seamlessly woven into this beautiful story, depicting the challenges of a country haunted by its Colonial past and its dictatorship rule.” (Press Release) This new publication costs £12 – for further information or to place an order, please ‘phone +44 (0)114 275 2955, or email mama.sar@workstation.org.uk or amina@mamalink.org [WTYL 25/06/07 and Laura Bell].

    Children & Young People

    • The Independent Asylum Commission (IAC) has just published its second and third reports: Safe return (2nd report) http://www.independentasylumcommission.org.uk/files/Safe%20Return%20final.pdf, the second report, looks at the issues surrounding the return of refused asylum-seekers; Deserving dignity (3rd report) http://www.independentasylumcommission.org.uk/files/10.07.08.pdf, [nb file is 5+Mb] the third report, looks at the treatment of asylum-seekers in terms of detention, the need for access to work, treatment of children, and the needs to ensure the dignity of women, torture survivors, those with health needs and LGBT asylum-seekers. (WTYL 21/07/08)
    • Leading Edge In partnership with schools, colleges and other support services, the Children’s Society Leading Edge initiative aims to improve the experience of young refugees in education. The initiative is active in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, London, Manchester, and Oxford to provide advice and support to parents and carers, homework clubs and anti-bullying projects, and raise awareness of the needs and experiences of young refugees. If you work in a public library service in these areas and want to get involved contact rashid.iqbal@childrenssociety.org.uk More information about the initiative at: http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/all_about_us/how_we_do_it/working_with_children_and_young_people/pro_leading_edge/2048.html (WTYL 29/06/08)
    • Shared Futures is a new DVD and resource pack that promotes the integration of refugee children and young people in school and the wider community. The DVD, divided into nine chapters, showcases effective practice across the UK. The resource pack provides guidance and training workshop activities linked to the DVD. Shared Futures has been developed by Salusbury World and funded by Comic Relief. The material can support practitioners in a range of settings. Advice and consultancy is available for local services, schools, and youth and community settings wishing to use Shared Futures to develop their work. You can view Chapter 1 of the DVD as a sample from the website: http://www.sharedfutures.org.uk/dvd.html . To order the DVD and pack see website for more details: http://www.sharedfutures.org.uk/index2.html (WTYL 23/06/08)
    • My friend Jamal is a new title from a new publisher – Alanna Books. “Unlike many similar books, it does not follow the life of the 'foreign' child in the 'foreign' country, but rather takes a child who was born here in the UK (of refugee parents) and looks at the friendship he is forging with a British child - the narrator of the story, Joseph.” For more information, see: http://www.alanna.demon.co.uk/alanna-newtitles.html (WTYL 26/05/08)
    • Beyond the school gates: supporting refugees and asylum seekers in secondary schools This report presents the findings from research undertaken as part of the Inclusive Secondary Schools Project funded by the KPMG Foundation. The project has researched and piloted new ways of working that link schools with refugee and asylum-seeking young people, their parents/ carers and Refugee Community Organisations: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/20DFFA86-F65B-4C2B-84EC-855A2A0B59A4/0/inclusiveschools_may08.pdf (WTYL 19/05/08)
    • As noted in WTYL Digest 07/04/08, the Who do we think we are? educational programme engages primary and secondary school teachers in the exploration of identity, diversity and citizenship with children and young people – in their schools, local communities and nationally. The website is now live: http://www.whodowethinkweare.org.uk/ (WTYL 12/05/08)
    • Who do we think we are? educational programme engages primary and secondary school teachers in the exploration of identity, diversity and citizenship with children and young people – in their schools, local communities and nationally. The project is led by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), Historical Association, and Citizenship Consultant Paula Kitching & supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). It will culminate in a week of activities 23-28 June 2008. See: http://www.whodowethinkweare.org/ (WTYL 07/04/08)
    • The Children's Legal Centre website has an information note on the educational entitlements of asylum seekers, refugees and people granted limited leave to remain: http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/Refugee+and+Asylum+Seeking+Children/Resources/Education.htm (there are also FAQs about under 16s, FE and HE). (CLC 01/04/08)
    • Community Care website. Briefings on “the bigger picture”
      http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/List.aspx?NavigationID=153&SlotPageID=32 This expert guide section of the Community Care website has very readable briefings on a wide range of topics. Although intended for those involved in the social care sector these could be very useful background for library staff. Topics covered include, for example, the Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (WTYL 10/03/08)
    • STAR (Student Action for refugees) has launched a new interactive online resource for young people, Refugee Map: http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/comments/refugeemap_launched/
    • YoungMinds magazine's featured download for March 2008 is a copy of Angela Neustatter's article on the effects of asylum on young people's mental health.- see: http://www.youngminds.org.uk/document-library/pdf/ymm-featured-downloads/YMM-featured-download-iss-93.pdf The hard-copy of YoungMinds magazine (see http://www.youngminds.org.uk/join-us/youngminds-magazine for info), the latest issue (no.93, March/April) also has an important article about the recent spate of - largely unreported - suicides of young Kurdish and Turkish men ("'They would rather die than live their lives like this'", pp32-34). (WTYL 25/03/08)
    • Caring for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people – China and Somalia by Eileen Fursland, £2.00 each, BAAF, February 2008, 20 pages approx. To find out more visit: http://www.baaf.org.uk/res/pubs/books/book_cuasc.shtml How to order these titles: Order online at http://www.baaf.org.uk/res/pubs/books/book_cuasc.shtml ; Or call our publications sales team on 020 7421 2604; Or email pubs.sales@baaf.org.uk Please note BAAF always require prepayment. [British Association for Adoption & Fostering, Saffron House, 6-10 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS, tel 020 7421 2600, email mail@baaf.org.uk ] These pamphlets aim to help foster carers and others learn about the circumstances that unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people have experienced, the effect of traumatic events on these young people, what their needs are likely to be, what issues are important for them now, and how they can help these young people cope with the profound changes in their young lives. There are also three other country specific pamphlets focusing on Afghanistan, Eritrea and Iran. (LACJ 26/02/08 & WTYL 03/03/08)
    • Refugee and Asylum Seeking Children's Project. After temporarily closing in May 2007, the Refugee and Asylum Seeking Children's Project of the Children's Legal Centre has been re-launched, providing accurate, detailed, and up to date legal information about this area of children’s rights. There is an FAQ section including: Age Assessment; Support; Education under 16; Further and higher education; Work and training; Transition at 18; Border & Immigration Agency (BIA) and Government Policy. See: http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/
      Refugee+and+Asylum+Seeking+Children/Advising/Advising/FAQ/       (Children's Legal Centre's Refugee and Asylum Seeking Children's Project (CLC) - Update February 2008)
    • A guide to meaningful consultation with young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. New guidance document from the Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues in Victoria, Australia: http://www.cmyi.net.au/uploads/downloads/cmyi/pdfs/
      Publications/ConsideringConsulting.pdf       (WTYL 21/01/08)
    • Moving Here Schools www.movinghere.org.uk/schools Just launched as the latest part of the project led by The National Archives, this website contains a broad range of learning resources, including interactive activities, which has been designed to be used across the school curriculum. The site is ideal to support pupils at Key Stage 2 and 3 (ages 8-14) for History, Geography, Citizenship and ICT. Working with a range of heritage institutions, the project has enabled different minority communities to record their own stories of migration using a variety of sources - stories are told through audio, video, photographs, film and crafts. (WTYL 26/11/07)
    • Learning to read a new culture http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/201854/0053801.pdf
      Interesting research report which looks at "how immigrant and asylum seeking children experience Scottish identity through classroom books". (WTYL 19/11/07 and IRR weekly digest, 16 November)
    • Against All Odds - online game for children to experience what it’s like to be a refugee: http://www.playagainstallodds.com/ The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR has just launched an English language version of this game. The game is designed to be of educational value and is primarily aimed at schoolchildren. Further background information at: http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/4731b5064.html (WTYL 12/11/07 and http://refugee-archives.blogspot.com/ )
    • Children's books by Nicki Cornwell about asylum seekers and refugeeshttp://www.nickicornwell.com/book_&_articles.htm Not new publications, but Christophe's Story (see weblink above for details of this and other titles) has just come out in an American edition. (WTYL 05/11/07) Four Feet Two Sandals http://www.amazon.com/Four-Feet-Sandals-Karen-William/dp/0802852963 Just published in the United States and based on co-author Khadra Mohammed's experiences with refugees in Peshawar, a city on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, Four Feet, Two Sandals is a children's picturebook about ten-year-old Lina and her young friend who each discover one of a wonderful pair of sandals. (WTYL 05/11/07)
    • My new school http://www.interruptedlearning.com/ Paramount Training Education and Development Centre runs courses to support those in teaching profession working with refugees and asylum seekers. The website also has details of a board game "My New School" available to help new pupils with the induction, inclusion and assessment procedures in a school environment. (WTYL 24/09/07)
    • The British Association for Adoption & Fostering has produced a series of pamphlets aimed at foster carers looking after unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people, consisting of an introductory overview pamphlet and three pamphlets that focus on young people coming from Eritrea, Afghanistan and Iran. For more information and how to order see website. [WTYL 10/09/07]
    • The Children's Panel at the Refugee Council has opened new office in Birmingham and Leeds. The Children’s Panel works with separated children who are under the age of 18 when they enter the UK. The team can also work with asylum seeking young people under 21 who, in the absence of a parent, are caring for younger brothers and sisters. http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/news/news/2007/july/20070719.htm
      [WTYL 06/08/07]
    • Fostering, Child Protection and Rights of Young Refugees "Zuhra Bahman and Associates is a young company aiming to provide high quality professional and friendly training from a human rights perspective on issues related to refugees and children. We would like to help you understand and help refugee children reach their full potential. All involved in Zuhra Bahman and Associates have first hand experience of the asylum system in the UK as well as a wide range of professional experience of working with refugee children and in human rights field. Further info from: zuhra@zuhrabahman.com. [WTYL 21/05/07]
    • Life and Law in Britain An illustrated guide for young asylum seekers and refugees (and those who support them), outlining young people’s legal rights and responsibilities in Britain, and the ways in which everyday matters are customarily dealt with.
      http://www.citizenshipfoundation.org.uk/main/resource.php?s309 [WTYL 21/05/07]
    • Supporting young asylum seekers
    • http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/doc.asp?doc=19458&cat=2514
      Details of a survey conducted by London Councils and the LGA, with recommendations arising from it in relation to funding to support young asylum seekers. (LACJ 04/03/07)
    • Child first, migrant second: Ensuring that every child matters, ILPA (2006) http://www.ilpa.org.uk/ (CLC 01/06/06)
    • 'Research in progress on supporting asylum-seeker and refugee children' focuses on the support offered to asylum-seeker and refugee children and their families and how, in turn, this may lead to improvements in meeting the educational, social and cultural needs of pupils within school. For more information about what the research covers see http://www.nfer.ac.uk/research-areas/pims-data/outlines/
      supporting-asylum-seeker-and-refugee-children.cfm       Public library services developing work with asylum seekers and refugees may find the information gathered in this report very useful, and/or wish to make contact before the research is complete. It aims to flag up gaps in provision and therefore provides an advocacy opportunity for public libraries where they may be well-placed to play a strong role.
    • Refugee and Asylum Seeker Children's home page on Children's Legal Centre Website: http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/Templates/
      Internal.asp?NodeID=90033       (CLC 01/03/07)
    • Multiverse - refugee children resource list www.multiverse.ac.uk provides teacher educators and student teachers/ trainees with resources that focus on the educational achievement of pupils from diverse backgrounds. The website includes a Refugee Children resource list page with background reading, children's books, teaching packs, useful educational websites and organisations working with refugees. See http://www.multiverse.ac.uk/viewArticle.aspx?categoryId=467&taggingType=1&contentId=379
    • Ealing's Southall Library ran an event for Children in Refugee week where they wrote a webpage: http://www.freewebs.com/childrenlibrary/ (WTYL 13/0706)
    • Warwickshire Libraries also celebrated the event, contact: irenajones@warwickshire.gov.uk (WTYL 14/07/06) Ask Gilly at SINTO Office if you want to see the report written by Irena.
    • Society of Chief Libarians have agreed that children and young people who are Travellers/ Looked After Children/ Refugees & Asylum Seekers can return library materials to any library in the UK without any overdue charges being made. The library will then return materials to the originating library free of charge. For further information, contact: Assoc of Senior Children's & Education Librarians (ASCEL) Vice Chair, Lesley Sim lesley.sim@westsussex.gov.uk ; The Network - tackling exclusion in libraries, museums, archives and galleries, John Vincent john@nadder.org.uk ; Youth & Schools Panel (YASP) of CILIP, Chair, Liz Dubber lizdubber@lycosmax.co.uk ; Society of Chief Librarians (SCL), Chair, Rob Froud RNFroud@somerset.gov.uk
    • 'Many Happy Returns' To be broadcast on Channel 4, 8 June at 11.10am. Each year around 2,500 children arrive in the UK from other countries unaccompanied by parents, guardians, identification or documentation. Until their 18th birthdays the Home Office gives them 'Leave to Remain' and they are given a home, a place at school and a small weekly allowance. But once they turn 18, their lives change. By becoming adults they lose all their protection as children and have to apply for asylum. 90 per cent of applicants are turned down and can be deported at any time. This documentary follows the lives of three 17-year-old asylum seekers who have all spent their teenage years growing up in the UK, and asks whether they should stay. http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/M/mycrazylife/docs.html (WTYL 07/06/06)


    Older People

    • Report of the Older Refugees Conference This Conference took place in January, and was the culmination of a two-year joint programme focussing on older refugees by Age Concern, the Refugee Council and the Association of Greater London Older Women. The report, plus presentations, are now available to download: http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/older-refugee-conference.asp (WTYL 21/04/08 and Refugee Council Newsletter, 14 April 2008)
    • A Working Paper for the Older Refugees Programme – A Literature Review and Interviews with Refugees http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/policy/position/2008/older_refugees.htm The Older Refugees Programme is a partnership project between Age Concern England, the Refugee Council, Age Concern London and the Association of Greater London Women (AGLOW). These two previously-published reports were re-issued for the conference on older refugees ‘From Isolation to Integration’ held earlier in January and are available to download from weblink above. The Literature Review provides a comprehensive overview of previous research on issues relating to older refugees’ experience in the UK, and identifies a series of research questions which are worthy of consideration for further research in this important area. (WTYL 28/01/08)
    • Older asylum seekers suffer isolation say leading charities http://www.blackbritain.co.uk/news/details.aspx?i=2629&c=uk Age Concern and the Refugee Council have found that older refugees and asylum seekers are a virtually invisible group that suffers both isolation and discrimination. (WTYL 21/01/08 & www.irr.org.uk e newsletter)

      Training & events

      • World Library and Information Congress: 74th IFLA General Conference and Council "Libraries without borders: Navigating towards global understanding" http://www.ifla.org:80/IV/ifla74/Programme2008.htm 10-14 Aug, Quebec. There are some fascinating papers being given, including: "Changing Demographics: Marketing to Communities in Transition: Reaching Out to New Immigrants" - Fred Gitner http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla74/papers/118-Gitner-en.pdf (WTYL 28/07/08)
      • The multimedia documentary theatre production from Birmingham-based Banner Theatre, They get free mobiles, don’t they? sets out to bust some of the myths about refugees and asylum seekers. Combining music, song, video, film and theatre, it speaks for asylum seekers in their quest for safety and security after fleeing war-torn lands in Africa and the Middle East. It tells the human stories of people in the wrong place at the wrong time, and cuts through the myths and prejudice surrounding the search for sanctuary in England’s green but sometimes not so pleasant land. June 2008 tour dates in the SINTO area include Mansfield and Halifax. For the full schedule see: http://www.bannertheatre.co.uk/tour_schedule.htm (WTYL 19/05/08 and Refugee Council news review 29 Apr-12 May 08)
      • Refugee Week is a UK wide programme of cultural and educational events which celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, and aims to encourage better understanding between communities. This year Refugee week is from 16th to 25th June, and will be the tenth one to be celebrated. For more information about Refugee Week and what’s happening near you visit www.refugeeweek.org.uk. To check out and order our Promotional Materials please click on the link below: http://www.refugeeweek.org.uk/getinvolved/Refugee+Week+Shop/. The website also includes a huge range of free downloadable materials including logos, an image gallery and flash movie, 3 sticker designs and 4 downloadable banners. The Downloadable Materials section also includes 20 different poster designs so you can pick and choose whatever image you want to represent your Refugee Week! All the posters are designed to be printed off onto A4 paper and come in full colour or black and white. You can see all of the promotional and downloadable materials here: http://www.refugeeweek.org.uk/Events/Promotional+Materials.htm (Gerdy Rees, Project Worker, Refugee Week UK, 020 7346 1215 circulated via WTYL 15/05/08)
      • New resource from the Federation for Community Development Learning on How to set up a refugee community organisation: http://www.fcdl.org.uk/projects/Improving%20Reach/documents/RCO.htm designed with and for new and emerging refugee community organisations to help them establish themselves. Details: ISBN: 978-1-904111-15-3. Price: free to refugee community organisations; £15 per copy to voluntary and community organisations; £30 to statutory organisations. All prices include p&p. 10% discount to FCDL members. To order, please email admin@fcdl.org.uk or contact the Federation on tel. 0114 253 6770, fax: 0114 253 6771. (WTYL 05/05/08)
      • Zuhra Bahman, Children's Rights trainer, now has a website including a calendar of events: http://www.zuhrabahman.com/ (WTYL 19/05/08 and www.refed.org.uk)
      • Refugee Week Conference, Friday 15 February 2008, 10–16.30. Human Rights Action Centre, Amnesty International, 17-25 New Inn Yard, London, EC2A 3EA http://www.refugeeweek.org.uk/Events/Refugee+Week+Conference+2008.htm Free conference to provide participants with an opportunity to: celebrate their achievements with regards to Refugee Week; learn from others about models of good practice; input further into the future development of Refugee Week; discuss issues of concern and future support needs; make specific recommendations with regards to Refugee Week 2008; enjoy themselves. (WTYL 17/12/07)
      • Welcome to Your Library have a calendar of training and events: http://www.welcometoyourlibrary.org.uk/calendar.asp?page_id=21 (WTYL 01/10/07)
      • They get free mobiles....don't they? Touring from Fri 28 Sep to Wed 7 Nov, this New multimedia documentary theatre production from Birmingham-based Banner Theatre, which sets out to bust some of the myths about refugees and asylum seekers. This live multimedia show, combining music, song, video, film and theatre, speaks for asylum seekers in their quest for safety and security after fleeing war-torn lands in Africa and the Middle East. Tour dates include: Barnsley, Rotherham, Sheffield, Huddersfield, and Bradford (amongst others). For more information see website. http://www.bannertheatre.co.uk/tour_schedule.htm (WTYL 17/09/07)
      • Building communities: equality and diversity in action Leeds 7 November 2007/ London 28 November 2007 http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/eventsandtraining/conferences
        /buildingcommunities.htm         With the recent publication of the Commission on Integration and Cohesion’s report Our shared future and the launch in October 2007 of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights these Refugee Council conferences seek to clarify the legislative background to refugee integration and examine current policy and practice in this area; establishing it both as a critical issue in its own right and as an essential element within the wider context of community cohesion. (WTYLJ 28/08/07)

        Funding

        • Access to Funding bulletin http://www.refugeeaccess.info/default.asp?step=4&pid=71 This funding bulletin is for refugee and asylum-related projects. Some of the funding streams mentioned are specific to refugee and asylum projects, but most are general. See weblink above for the final edition (updated January 2008). (WTYL 21/01/08)
        • London Libraries Development Agency, London Health Commission and MLA London are running five year long pilots of Skilled for Health learning sessions in five London boroughs. The sessions are to help disadvantaged adults (eg migrants, ex-offenders, young mothers & the homeless), to improve their helath and well-being while developing literacy, language or numeracy skills. (UM 6 (11) Nov 2007 pg 15)
        • Their Past Your Future 2 http://www.mla.gov.uk/resources/assets//T/TPYF2_yr_1_projects_12500.pdf The successful bids have just been announced. (WTYL 17/10/07). Projects that will be funded in the SINTO region include (& include Refugees): Yorkshire Waterways Museum (Based in Goole, veterans, community groups and schools will work together to develop an exhibition around the social and economic impact of WWII on the local area and its people); Cannon Hall Museum (veterans and young people will work together to produce an e-learning package looking at personal experiences of conflict and the legacies of these for succeeding generations); Leeds Libraries (the Relay project involving community groups, including refugee groups, sharing perspectives on conflict through creative writing and technology); Wakefield Cultural Services and Libraries (work with young people to create a databank of war stories to increase understanding of 'commemoration, remembrance, and citizenship'); North Yorkshire County Record Office (prisoners in Northallerton to work with archives to create learning journeys).
        • The KPMG Foundation provides grants for projects with disadvantaged people, with particular emphasis on unlocking the potential of children and young people up to 30 years of age. Particular groups of interest include; Refugees; Young offenders; Children and young people who have been in care; Children and young people with dyslexia/literacy difficulties. The Foundation considers applications once a year, and throughout the year they capture all organizations keen to apply for funding on a database. If you would like your details added to the database email kpmgfoundation@kpmg.co.uk. Once the Trustees agree a funding date they will write to all organisations on the database providing them with details of how to apply. For further information visit: http://www.kpmg.co.uk/about/foundation/ap.cfm (WTYL 15/10/07)
        • The Refugee Community Development Fund (RCDF) Grants up to £10,000 available to organisations working with refugees and refugee communities The fund is intended to support Refugee Community Organisations to establish the capacity to enable them to participate in accessing mainstream funding. Grants are available to fund a range of different costs and activities, falling into two broad categories:Development Costs (including start-up costs for newly emerging groups) • Activity-based Costs (e.g. educational activities, community engagement activities such as providing outreach services)Deadline for applications: 11 August 2006. For more information visit: www.governmentfunding.org.uk(MLAY 18/07)

        Citizenship and help with Citizenship Tests

        • Lord Goldsmith QC Citizenship Review - Details of the review at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/reviews/citizenship.htm together with links to three pamphlets, produced in the last few months on (1) the Future of Citizenship Ceremonies (which mentions libraries on p11), (2) Mentoring for New Migrants, and (3) Becoming a British Citizen: a Learning Journey. (WTYL 10/03/08)
        • Contract for citizenship - Major changes are proposed to the way foreign nationals achieve British citizenship. A government Green Paper, entitled The path to citizenship: next steps in reforming the immigration system, published 20 February 2008, sets out details of the government’s plans, including a citizenship contract that would set out each new citizen’s rights and responsibilities. For an outline of the proposals see: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/contract-for-citizenship There is now a consultation period on the Green Paper (deadline for responses 14 May 2008). Both the Green Paper and a questionnaire for responses are available at: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/consultations/pathtocitizenship/ To respond to the consultation or if you would like a hard copy of the Green Paper please email: ImmigrationReform@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk (WTYL 25/02/08) Also see documents about the points based system at: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/managingourborders/pbsdocs/ (WTYL 03/03/08)
        • US Citizenship and Immigration Services Taskforce on New Americans has produced a Civics and Citizenship Toolkit for public libraries to help them begin or enhance their collections and resources for immigrants. One copy is available to every library in the USA free of charge. For more information about what it contains see: http://www.citizenshiptoolkit.gov/ (WTYL 22/10/07)
        • Cambridge University Press have a mock test which is very close to the real Life in the UK Test. The Test consists of 24 questions. Forty-five minutes are allowed for the test, but most people complete it in much less. There are four types of question in the online test. The first type is multiple choice, where one answer is selected from four options. The second type of question is "true or false". The next type involves selecting two correct answers from four options. The last question type asks which one of two statements is correct. Try this and see if you'd pass to become a UK citizen: http://www.cambridge.org/elt/esol/citizenshiptest.htm (Mary Harrington, Doncaster Libraries, 25/09/07)

        Controversial Material & the Terrorism Bill

        • John Pateman has a letter in Update about how a university worker in Nottingham, Hicham Yezza, faces deportation under the Terrorism Act for helping a student access controversial material. (UM 7 [7-8] July/ August 2008 p30). For information on the campaign to support Hicham Yezza, see: http://freehicham.co.uk/
        • To see CILIP's response to the MLA Draft Guidance on the Management of Controversial Material, go to www.cilip.org.uk/policyadvocacy and www.thebookseller.co.uk/blogs/57957-a-neutral-space.html (UM 7 [6] June 2008 p5)
        • Hey Minister - leave those books alone is an article by John Pateman responding to MLA's draft guidelines on extremist material in Update Magazine. He warns of 'a threat to stock selection' and 'challenges [to] the professional ethics of the librarian'. (UM 7 (3) March 2008 pp20-21) Responses to as WTYL enquiry about Refugees, asylum-seekers, migrant workers & local studies/ archives are at: http://www.seapn.org.uk/content_files/files/enquiry___refugees_asylum_seekers_and_local_studies.doc (WTYL 17/03/08)
        • Have a look at MLA's Consultation on draft guidance on the management of controversial material in public libraries: http://www.mla.gov.uk/resources/assets//C/controversial_material_12579.pdf To send in comments, email: libraryconsultation@mla.gov.uk (MLAY News E-bulletin 31/01/08 and (UM 7 (1-2) Jan/Feb 2008 p2) Consultation on draft guidance on the management of controversial material in public libraries. The Museums Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) is seeking comments on this draft guidance (which is aimed primarily at public library managers and heads of local authority cultural services) by 7 April 2008. See http://www.mla.gov.uk/resources/assets/C/ controversial_material_12579.pdf For related material, see the section on the 'Terrorism Bill' further down this page. (WTYL 21/01/08)
        • 'Guidance' on Stock Planned: MLA and DCMS are to agree a 'common approach to deal with inflammatory and extremist material that some seek to distribute through public libraries, whilst also protecting freedom of speech' announced the PM on 13th November in a speech on terrorism. (UM Dec 2007 Vol 6 (12) p 3)
        • Preserving users' privacy in spite of surveillance an article by Elspeth Hyams, explores Tobias Sack's assessment of the impactr of the anti-terrorism measures on public library practice. (UM 6 (10) Oct 2007 pg 26-28)
        • A library consortium has been formed to lobby government on the wording of the terrorism bill - clause two includes new offences such as lending a 'terrorist publication'. See www.cilip.org.uk/professionalguidance/terrorismbill [Update Dec 05 Vol 4 (12) pp 2 & 16] The LIS consortium challenging the wording of the Terrorism Bill achieved the amendment required to prevent librarians being charged with dissemination of terrorist publications. (UM March 2006). There is also an article on the campaign by Clive Field in the Update Magazine for July/ August 2006.

        Background Reading

        Anyone who wants more background reading material should sign up to The Network's jiscmail list for refugees & asylum seekers run by John Vincent and Helen Carpenter of Welcome to Your Library (see the first five bullet points below).
        • "The Network - tackling social exclusion in libraries, museums, archives and galleries" (see www.seapn.org.uk ), coordinates a number of email lists (using JISCMAIL) including one for Refugees & Asylum Seekers. To subscribe, simply send an email to john@nadder.org.uk . To send an email to the list, email wtyl@jiscmail.ac.uk (WTYL = Welcome To Your Library)
        • See the Welcome to Your Library website to subscribe to their e-newsletter http://www.welcometoyourlibrary.org.uk/ [Welcome to Your Library project won the CILIP/ LIS Libraries Change Lives Award for 2007. To view a film of all three finalists, go to: www.myspace.com/librarieschangelives ]
        • New Network website: The Network (partner in WTYL) has just launched its website, redesigned by Electric Putty (who designed the WTYL site) www.seapn.org.uk (WTYL 05/11/07) [It's very tasteful and easy to navigate round - Gilly]
        • The Welcome To Your Library Evaluation Report and Good Practice Guide are available on the WTYL website. The Evaluation Report in full is at: http://www.welcometoyourlibrary.org.uk/content_files/files/
          WTYLEvaluationReportNov07.pdf          , and the Executive Summary is also available separately at: http://www.welcometoyourlibrary.org.uk/content_files/files/
          ExecSummaryWTYLEvaluationReportNov07.pdf          . The report introduces WTYL, and then assesses the project's achievements; impact; the distance travelled by the project partners; and key findings, including lessons learned from the work, and recommendations for ensuring that this way of working is taken up and mainstreamed by all library services. The Good Practice Guide is at: http://www.welcometoyourlibrary.org.uk/content_files/files/
          WTYLGoodPracticeGuideNov07.pdf          . The Guide looks at making sense of policy (putting our work into a wider context); making plans; making partnerships work; making the library welcoming; and making an impact. (WTYL 3/12/07)
        • There are archived copies of WTYL E-Digest at: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/archives/wtyl.html And from January '08 these will also be on the WTYL website: http://www.welcometoyourlibrary.org.uk/editorial.asp?page_id=77 (WTYL 18/02/08)
        • New research reports about library & information provision in mid-Wales Cadwyn Y Canolbarth is the mid-Wales library partnership, and they have just published two pieces of research undertaken by the Department of Information Studies, Aberystwyth. The first looks at ethnic services provision in mid-Wales (http://online.coleg-powys.ac.uk/file.php/347/Libraries_For_Life_MUES_Report_Final.doc) with recommendations for development. The second report looks at rural information needs, with specific focuses on health needs and migrant workers (http://online.coleg-powys.ac.uk/file.php/347/Mid_Wales_Library_and_Information_Partnership_Rural_Information_Needs_Report_Final.doc). (WTYL 21/07/08)
        • Immigration and inclusion in South Wales - http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/2290-wales-migration-cohesion.pdf Mewnfudo a chynhwysiant yn Ne Cymru http://www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/findings/socialpolicy/pdf/2250-welsh.pdf New report from Joseph Rowntree Foundation (available in Welsh and English via links above). “This research explores the impact of new migration on established communities in south-east Wales, in particular on the issues of community, integration and cohesion.” (WTYL 21/07/08)
        • The Independent Asylum Commission (IAC) has just published its second and third reports: Safe return (2nd report) http://www.independentasylumcommission.org.uk/files/Safe%20Return%20final.pdf, the second report, looks at the issues surrounding the return of refused asylum-seekers; Deserving dignity (3rd report) http://www.independentasylumcommission.org.uk/files/10.07.08.pdf, [nb file is 5+Mb] the third report, looks at the treatment of asylum-seekers in terms of detention, the need for access to work, treatment of children, and the needs to ensure the dignity of women, torture survivors, those with health needs and LGBT asylum-seekers. (WTYL 21/07/08)
        • "Reluctant refuge" New title published by the British Library, which "attempts to show how current attitudes reflect a centuries-old tradition of ambivalence towards the world’s dispossessed, fuelled by economic protectionism and the perceived need to maintain social cohesion. Woven throughout are the voices of asylum seekers and refugees, illuminating the uncertain and often challenging future they face here in Britain." Further details from: http://shop.bl.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/BritishLibrary/ISBN_9780712308878 . (WTYL 07/07/08)
        • Consultation on the new Equality Framework for Local Government (http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=8488097 IDeA have produced an updated version of the Framework for consultation (http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/aio/8493290 ) – they want views from local authorities that have implemented the Equality Standard, and the deadline is 16 Aug 2008. This new version picks up particularly on changes in local demography (including migration), and simplifies the process, whilst also broadening the definitions “which includes the groups that enjoy legal protection against discrimination – race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age – but also encourages authorities to work with other groups who may face disadvantage and discrimination, such as white working class boys, looked after children and groups like Gypsies and Travellers whose needs have often been ignored.” (WTYL 07/07/08)
        • Land of no return All across the country, communities are organising themselves to stop their friends and neighbours from being deported. From lobbying the Home Office to foiling dawn raids, the resistance will stop at nothing to keep failed asylum-seekers safe in Britain. See: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/jun/13/immigration.immigrationpolicy for this article by Rachel Stevenson and Harriet Grant in The Guardian Fri 13 June. (WTYL 23/06/08)
        • Read about North Lincolnshire Libraries & Education Diversity Service (http://www.yearofreading.org.uk/wikireadia/index.php?title=North_Lincolnshire_Libraries_%26_the_Education_Diversity_Service ) and North Yorkshire's work with Polish and Lithuanian communities (http://www.yearofreading.org.uk/wikireadia/index.php?title=Books_in_Polish_-_North_Yorkshire ) in Wikireadia (NYOR 2008). (WTYL 23/06/08)
        • Paddington Bear faces questions on asylum status - The new Paddington bear book “Paddington Here and Now” has just been published in which the bear is questioned by police over his residency status. See the report in the Guardian at: http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,2225679,00.html (WTYL 16/06/08)
        • Review of Migrant Integration Policy in the UK - Important background paper that reviews “the current strategic and policy framework, processes and provisions in place or under development to support the integration of new migrants. On this basis it considers where further provision is required. The review includes a feasibility study of the need for an Integration Agency to support new migrants, as recommended by the Commission for Integration and Cohesion.” See http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/838994.pdf for a pdf of the report. (WTYL 16/06/08)
        • The word "asylum" should be phased out in regards to foreigners seeking safe haven in Britain and replaced with "sanctuary", a first report of conclusions and recommendations by the Independent Asylum Commission suggests. The report is entitled Saving Sanctuary [ http://www.independentasylumcommission.org.uk/ ] (BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7409652.stm annd WTYL 02/06/08)
        • Arts and refugees: history, impact and future - the Baring Foundation (along with two other funders, the Arts Council England, London and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation), commissioned Hybrid Consultancy to look at work over the last fifteen years across the UK to involve refugees and asylum seekers in the arts. The researchers identified over 200 arts organisations working with refugees across all media. The report was launched at the Baring Foundation on 20th May. Hard copies of this publication are available free, while stocks last, from the Baring Foundation office. The report includes full contact details for Hybrid Consultancy and each of the funders. Recommended reading and partnership opportunities for public libraries. See: http://www.baringfoundation.org.uk/publications.htm to access full report. (WTYL 26/05/08)
        • Floodgates or turnstiles? Post-EU enlargement migration flows to (and from) the UK This report from ippr looks at the scale and nature of migration from the eight new Central and Eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004 and, to a lesser extent, from Romania and Bulgaria, which joined in 2007, and gives some useful background information about Polish migrant workers: http://www.ippr.org/publicationsandreports/publication.asp?id=603 (WTYL 19/05/08)
        • The Queens Library Foundation raises funds for Queens Library in New York, in order to provide exceptional and innovative programmes and services to enrich the lives of the people of Queens. Click link above to watch the DVD, Enriching Lives: Four Stories : http://www.queenslibrary.org/index.aspx?page_nm=enrich (10mins) to see how Queens Library impacts positively on the lives of four residents (Enmi: New American succeeds; Sydelle: Senior enjoys life; Kessler: Teen builds a future; Diane: Adult literacy brings new opportunities). (WTYL 05/05/08)
        • A poisoned debate Piece by Danny Sriskandarajah, head of migration at ippr. The problem with discussing immigration is that anecdote and prejudice fill the gaps where we lack good data - the Lords report is no exception: http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/dhananjayan_sriskandarajah/2008/04/a_poisoned_debate.html (WTYL 28/04/08)
        • What are today’s social evils? Summary of new research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, identifying what a cross-section of the public identify as “today’s social evils”. Includes comments on immigration and responses to immigration: http://www.socialevils.org.uk/documents/social-evils-summary.pdf . (WTYL 28/04/08)
        • Right to Work - The Refugee Council, together with the TUC, have launched a campaign for the right of asylum-seekers to work in the UK. See: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/gettinginvolved/campaign/righttowork/righttowork.htm (WTYL 21/04/08 and Refugee Council Newsletter, 14 April 2008)
        • City of Sanctuary national conference Wed 4 June, Sheffield, 11am-4.30pm Could your town or city become an official 'City of Sanctuary' for refugees and asylum-seekers? You are invited to the first City of Sanctuary National Conference. To book a free place or for more information please contact: craig@cityofsanctuary.org or visit or visit www.cityofsanctuary.org (WTYL 14/04/08)
        • New Arrivals project – current work with New Arrivals http://www.seapn.org.uk/content_files/files/new_arrivals_work_for_rem.doc Brief outline of current work being undertaken in Lincolnshire. (WTYL 14/04/08)
        • Local experiences of migration: consulting Coventry The Welcome Project, a partnership between Coventry City Council and Coventry Refugee Centre, commissioned ICAR (Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees: http://www.icar.org.uk/ ) to conduct a consultation with local residents on community relations and integration issues, published in February 2008. The research explored attitudes and relations amongst and between the host population, asylum-seekers and refugees and other new migrants. The findings aim to inform community cohesion and integration strategies at the neighbourhood and city levels. Some interviews took place in public libraries in Bell Green and Willenhall. The report includes a comment from a respondent (p24) about library stock in different languages, reflecting some of the issues that the report discusses. For the full report (60 pages): http://www.icar.org.uk/download/Local%20experiences_of_migration_Coventry_report.pdf and executive summary (8 pages): http://www.icar.org.uk/download/Local%20experiences_of_migration_Coventry_summary.pdf . (WTYL 07/04/08)
        • The Economic Impact of Migration http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld/ldeconaf.htm#reports Report by the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee which challenges measures used by government to assess impact of migration on the economy and living standards. See also response from PM as reported on BBC website http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7324485.stm. (WTYL 07/04/08)
        • Fit for purpose yet? The Independent Asylum Commission's Interim Findings Report of the IAC was published on 27th March 2008. The report has concluded that Britain's treatment of asylum-seekers "falls seriously below the standards to be expected of a humane and civilised society". The full report is available at: http://www.independentasylumcommission.org.uk/files/Fit%20for%20Purpose%20Yet.pdf ; there is a summary at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/asylum-review-executive-summary-801031.html; and follow-on stories (particularly the letter from a group of peers) is at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/asylum-the-peers-revolt-801745.html (WTYL 31/03/08
        • Welcome stranger: public libraries build the global village New 20 page report from Urban Libraries Council in the US details five broad strategies that public libraries are using for successful immigrant inclusion and community adaptation: Understanding local immigration dynamics; Bringing cultural and language sensitivity to service delivery; Building English capacity; Creating connections to local institutions; Encouraging civic engagement. Based on surveys of member libraries augmented with data from earlier work, the findings show that urban public libraries are in the forefront of the effort to make their cities stronger by welcoming and integrating new residents from all over the world and highlights promising and replicable practice and strategies. An article by Norman Oder in Library Journal about the report http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6534210.html picks up that it is aimed not just at library leaders, but at public and foundation officials and that public libraries are often ahead of other agencies (eg census bureau) in collecting formal and informal data on settlement patterns and needs of immigrants and refugees. Full report can be downloaded from http://www.urbanlibraries.org/publications/details.html (WTYL 25/03/08)
        • The Difference Dividend: Why immigration is vital to innovation http://www.nesta.org.uk/informing/provocations/charles_leadbeater2.aspx is a paper (January 2008) by Charles Leadbetter for NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts). It is part of NESTA’s Provocations, which include extended essays by key thought leaders working in innovation. All Provocations are available to download from the NESTA website at: http://www.nesta.org.uk/informing/provocations/index.aspx (WTYL 25/02/08)
        • Two new reports from Runnymede Trust Community Study Reports: Empowering individuals & creating community: Thai perspectives on life in Britain http://www.runnymedetrust.org/uploads/file/EmpoweringIndividualsCreatingCommunity-2008.pdf , and Living transnationally: Romanian migrants in London http://www.runnymedetrust.org/uploads/file/LivingTransnationally-2008.pdf (WTYL 18/02/08)
        • None deadlier than The Mail On 24 January The New Statesman published an extract from a new book by Nick Davies, Flat Earth News: An Award-Winning Reporter Exposes Falsehood, Distortion and Propaganda in the Global Media in which he criticised the accuracy of the Daily Mail’s reporting on asylum issues and its political impact: http://www.newstatesman.com/print/200801240030 (WTYL 11/02/08 & Refugee Council news review newsletter)
        • A community profile of EU8 migrants in Edinburgh and an evaluation of their access to key services http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/207638/0055078.pdf (Source: Philip Wark) Useful example of community profiling, which also highlights the plight of EU migrants in Scotland. (WTYL 28/01/08)
        • Ten point plan for border protection and immigration reform http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/tenpointplan The Home Office published their ten point plan for reform of the immigration and asylum system on 14 January, with a series of milestones in the next year. This includes a pledge that 60% of asylum decisions will be made and enforced within six months, with alternatives to detention for children. For response from the Refugee Council see http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/news/press/2008/January/20080114.htm (WTYL 28/01/08)
        • Conflict Zones http://www.independent.co.uk/ The Independent 12 Dec produced a supplement looking at the key world conflict zones and the effects, eg in terms of refugees. (WTYL 17/12/07)
        • Papers and presentations at Migration Impacts Forum meeting 17 October 2007 http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/lawandpolicy/migrationimpactsforum/
          meeting17october2007/           See weblink above to access presentations including a presentation by Liam Byrne MP, Minister of State for Nationality, Citizenship and Immigration on regional impacts of migration (evidence from consultation), and a presentation by Rodney Green, Chief Executive of Leicester City Council on the topic of community cohesion. (WTYL 17/12/07 & LORECA e-bulletin December 07)
        • Employment, Skills and Training Needs of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Recent Migrants in Haringey A report commissioned by Haringey Council’s Employment & Skills Team by the Working Lives Research Institute. Contact Apu.Alam@haringey.gov.uk for a copy. (WTYL 17/12/07 & LORECA e-bulletin December 07)
        • Refugees’ experiences of integration: policy related findings on employment, ESOL and vocational training http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/
          E635A530-65DC-40C4-9594-CD7117E3A421/0/
          Integration_employment.pdf           New report from the Refugee Council and the University of Birmingham which “presents findings concerning employment, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and vocational training from a two-year qualitative study of Refugees’ Experiences of Integration, carried out in partnership by the Refugee Council and the University of Birmingham.” (WTYL 09/12/07 & Refugee Council newsletter, 3 December 2007)
        • The housing pathways of new immigrants http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/
          eBooks/2103-housing-immigration-asylum.pdf           New research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which explores the arrival experiences and settlement stories of new immigrants.[NB file is 3.36mb] (WTYL 09/12/07)
        • Mentoring for new migrants http://www.justice.gov.uk/images/mentoring-new-migrants.pdf Produced by TimeBank as part of Lord Goldsmith’s Citizenship Review, this pamphlet argues that new migrants to the UK could benefit from a mentoring scheme. (WTYL 09/12/07)
        • Government response to the REACH report http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/575441 The REACH report on raising the aspirations and attainment of Black boys and young Black men was published in August, and the Government has now produced its response which “sets out a strong framework for delivering those real improvements, and complements recent announcements from Government in this area”.There is also a summary of key Government initiatives at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/574381 (WTYL 09/12/07)
        • Migrant Integration Policy Index [MIPEX] http://www.eukn.org/eukn/themes/Urban_Policy/ Social_inclusion_and_integration/Integration_of_social_groups/
          migration-policy-index_1146.html          MIPEX is a bi-annual assessment of migration policy across 28 countries "in order to find out which policies various countries apply to address the issue of migration and in how far these policy measures are successful in creating opportunities for migrants to participate in society." (WTYL 26/11/07 and www.local-level.org.uk)
        • From refugee to citizen: standing on my own two feet: http://www.mst-online.org.uk/researchandconsultancyunit.html This research was commissioned from the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Refugee Support (formerly the Refugee Housing Association), a charity founded in the autumn of 1957 to provide housing for Hungarian refugees who had settled in the UK. It comprises 30 life history interviews with refugees who had arrived in the UK between 1956 and 2006. The research examines how refugees understood their own integration and journey to citizenship, notions of home and what it means to be British. The researchers interviewed those who came as children, as well as adults. Many child arrivals were shocked at the endemic violence of UK schools. (WTYL 19/11/07 and www.refed.org.uk)
        • Older Refugees: from isolation to integration Wed 09 Jan 2008, City Hall, London. This conference will focus on the issues, challenges and service needs of older refugees and asylum-seekers, concluding the Older Refugees Programme - a 2-year initiative, funded by Lloyds TSB, between Age Concern England, the Refugee Council, Age Concern London and the Greater London Association of Older Women (AGLOW). To register your interest in attending this conference, please email refugees@ace.org.uk or call 020 8765 7523. (WTYL 12/11/07)
        • Migration - research bibliography: http://www.refugeeaccess.info/default.asp?step=2&id=54 The website for asylum seekers, refugees and agencies in the Yorkshire and Humberside region of the United Kingdom now has a section with links to reports and research papers relating to migration and new migrants in Yorkshire and Humber. The section is split into two parts, one of which covers relevant national reports and research papers. (WTYL 12/11/07)
        • Disaggregating cost and benefits of immigration
          http://www.icar.org.uk/?lid=9216 (WTYL 12/11/07)
        • London Libraries Development Agency, London Health Commission and MLA London are running five year long pilots of Skilled for Health learning sessions in five London boroughs. The sessions are to help disadvantaged adults (eg migrants, ex-offenders, young mothers & the homeless), to improve their helath and well-being while developing literacy, language or numeracy skills. (UM 6 (11) Nov 2007 pg 15)

          • Sense of Belonging: Refugee Access Point http://www.welcometoyourlibrary.org.uk/listDocuments.asp?page_id=70

          • WTYL have reproduced Leeds Library Service's final report of their Paul Hamlyn Foundation Reading & Libraries Challenge Fund project. (WTYL 29/10/07)
        • Refugees' Experiences of Integration http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/policy/position/2007/integration.htm Report from two year qualitative research project by Refugee Council and University of Birmingham and funded by the Big Lottery Fund, looking at the social aspects of refugees’ integration, particularly in relation to how these were experienced in two different localities, Haringey and Dudley, and across different groups of refugees and asylum seekers. See weblink above for more information and links to full report and executive summary. (WTYL 29/10/07)
        • Britains' Immigrants: An economic profile http://www.ippr.org/publicationsandreports/publication.asp?id=563 Report by Dhananjayan Sriskandarajah, Laurence Cooley and Tracy Kornblatt from ippr. More information and available to download from weblink above. (WTYL 29/10/07)
        • Migration "causes pressure in UK"http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7048205.stm
          Almost every UK region has difficulties in housing, health, education and crime because of increased migration, according to an official report. The findings are contained in a report drawn up to advise ministers on the social impact of immigration. For more information about the Migration Impacts Forum see:http://www.communities.gov.uk/communities/racecohesionfaith
          /asylumandimmigration/migration-forum/           (WTYL 22/10/07)
        • Safeguarding civilians Report from IPPR, which looks at the ‘responsibility to protect’ (an obligation to act to protect civilians facing war crimes or genocide) in relation to Africa. “… the central challenge today in respect of the responsibility to protect is … how to protect civilians from mass killing, war crimes and genocide.”
          The report is available to download from the ippr website (see: http://www.ippr.org/publicationsandreports/?title=&author=
          &policyarea=0&pubdate=&pg=2           - you need to register on the site) (WTYL 22/10/07)
        • Migrants are a boon to UK economy says study http://www.guardian.co.uk/immigration/story/0,,2192777,00.html Migrants are more skilled and often more reliable and hardworking than British workers, and are fuelling the country's economic growth to the tune of £6bn a year, according to the first official study of their impact published 16 October 2007 (The economic and fiscal impact of immigration, http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm72/7237/7237.pdf). (WTYL 22/10/07)
        • Presentations from Local Government Association conference held on 19 September 2007 (WTYL 15/10/07)
        • Sources of information on migration http://www.lgar.local.gov.uk/lgv/aio/35288 The Local Government Analysis and Research Group has produced a useful intro to sources of information about migration in order to support local councils who are responding to changes in their communities. (WTYL 15/10/07)
        • Refugees and asylum seekers in the Caribbean region: library service implications http://www.unhcr.org/research/RESEARCH/46791a622.pdf Report by Tamara Brathwaite (Librarian, Institute of International Relations, University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago) for the UNHCR, which looks at the impact on library services in the Caribbean of the arrival of refugees – with some interesting examples of work drawn from the UK, and some ideas for good practice. (WTYL 08/10/07)
        • Aegis Trust report http://www.aegistrust.org/images/PDFs/lives%20we%20throw%20away%20final.pdf You may have seen media coverage of this new report, Lives we throw away: Darfuri survivors tortured in Khartoum following removal from the UK – the report from the Aegis Trust (which campaigns to prevent genocide worldwide) is available at the above weblink. (WTYL 08/10/07)
        • “The callous hypocrisy of our asylum system” http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article3018348.ece The Independent 2 October carried a front-page piece highlighting the gap between the political rhetoric and the reality of people being returned to Zimbabwe and Burma. There is also a grim piece in The Independent 5 Oct, which looks at allegations that asylum-seekers being deported are assaulted and racially abused by the British escort teams accompanying them on their journeys: http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article3028727.ece (WTYL 08/10/07)
        • Migrant Workers - local authority initiatives http://www.laria.gov.uk/ On 10 May 2007, the Local Authorities Research & Intelligence Association (LARIA) and the Local Government Association (LGA) held a seminar on this topic, looking at research undertaken in the Midlands, Slough and Crewe, and at activities in East Anglia. The presentations, including one from the Audit Commission, are available from a link on the home page of the LARIA website (see above). [WTYL 06/08/07]
        • Understanding immigration and refugee policy: contradictions and continuities New title from The Policy Press, which “provides an essential background to understanding debates surrounding immigration and refugee policy. It examines different theoretical approaches to immigration and explores links between immigration policy, welfare and social exclusion, as well as documenting migrants' experiences in negotiating and challenging these policies.” Further info at: https://www.policypress.org.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=&products
          _id=576          . [WTYL 11/06/07]
        • New European migration: good practice guide for local authorities http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/aio/6949811
          The Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) has published this good practice guide for local authorities (available at weblink above). It includes an overview, good practice toolkit, round-up and resource directory as well as useful references. (WTYLJ 28/08/07)
        • Keep up with statistics at the Home Office's Research Development Statistics website (includes a subject index) http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/ (WTYLJ 03/09/07)
        • MLA Yorkshire have published the final report of the Innovation and Integration project which financed nine museums and libraries to work with refugee and asylum seeker communities: http://www.mlayorkshire.org.uk/webdav/harmonise?Page%2F@id=175&Section%2F@id=4547&Document%2F@id=26539 (MLAY 24th Nov 2006)
        • "An exploration of factors affecting the successful dispersal of asylum seekers" a new report from the Home Office at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/rdsolr5005.pdf
        • Welcome To Your Library has been included in Small Places, Close to Home, the latest Community Links Ideas Annual highlighting innovative project work with Refugee and Asylum Seeking Communities. Small Places Close To Home is available from Community Links, 105 Barking Road E16 4HQ. Tel: 020 7473 2270 www.community-links.org £15 per copy to statutory organisations £5.00 per copy to Voluntary and Community organisations.



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