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OCTOBER 2009
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Later this month the Commission will publish plans for immigration 'burden sharing', which could see asylum seekers who land in EU countries such as Italy and Malta moved to the UK.
A spokesman said yesterday that this was a 'pressing issue' for the EU.
Draft documents from the Commission state that the EU's international image is suffering because of the 'relatively low' number of refugees accepted by member states.
Last year the EU accepted 6.7 % of the 65,596 refugees who were legally resettled around the world.
The Commission did not set a public target for the new programme yesterday, but a Brussels source said the figure should be 'much closer to 20%.
Mr Barrot said more than 200,000 refugees were likely to need resettlement next year, mostly from poor countries bordering war zones.
He urged the EU to make itself a 'model of humanity' and demonstrate 'concrete solidarity with Third World countries hosting large numbers of refugees'.
If the EU were to accept 20 per cent that would equate to 40,000 refugees a year.
Britain's share, based on population, would be about 5,300.
Conservative immigration spokesman Damian Green last night said it was vital that the UK kept control of the total number of immigrants entering the country, rather than handing power to Brussels.
He said co-operation on dealing with refugees should depend on other EU countries helping to stop the flow of illegal immigrants to Britain.
Mr. Green said: 'There is nothing wrong with trying to plan the numbers of successful refugees - anything would be better than the chaos Britain's system has suffered in recent years.
'But Britain could only take part if we had control of the numbers arriving here under the scheme, and if other countries co-operate more in preventing the build-up of asylum seekers at Calais.'
Stephen Booth, of think-tank Open Europe, said handing over control of immigration and asylum policy risked creating a public backlash.
He added: 'Asylum policy is a sensitive issue for the public and national governments therefore need to be clear and open about where EU asylum policy is heading in order to avoid a backlash from their citizens.'
Britain is one of only ten EU countries to operate a formal refugee resettlement programme.
Over the past five years the UK has accepted 2,500 refugees on top of the number coming in through the wider immigration and asylum system. A Home Office spokesman welcomed the new scheme but emphasised that it was voluntary.
He added: 'We are pleased to see the EU move towards a common system of refugee resettlement, which has the potential to benefit some of the world's most vulnerable people.
'We will consider and scrutinise the details of these new proposals very carefully prior to agreement and the UK has the ability to opt out of any proposal that is not in our national interest.'
A spokesman said yesterday that this was a 'pressing issue' for the EU.
Draft documents from the Commission state that the EU's international image is suffering because of the 'relatively low' number of refugees accepted by member states.
Last year the EU accepted 6.7 % of the 65,596 refugees who were legally resettled around the world.
The Commission did not set a public target for the new programme yesterday, but a Brussels source said the figure should be 'much closer to 20%.
Mr Barrot said more than 200,000 refugees were likely to need resettlement next year, mostly from poor countries bordering war zones.
He urged the EU to make itself a 'model of humanity' and demonstrate 'concrete solidarity with Third World countries hosting large numbers of refugees'.
If the EU were to accept 20 per cent that would equate to 40,000 refugees a year.
Britain's share, based on population, would be about 5,300.
Conservative immigration spokesman Damian Green last night said it was vital that the UK kept control of the total number of immigrants entering the country, rather than handing power to Brussels.
He said co-operation on dealing with refugees should depend on other EU countries helping to stop the flow of illegal immigrants to Britain.
Mr. Green said: 'There is nothing wrong with trying to plan the numbers of successful refugees - anything would be better than the chaos Britain's system has suffered in recent years.
'But Britain could only take part if we had control of the numbers arriving here under the scheme, and if other countries co-operate more in preventing the build-up of asylum seekers at Calais.'
Stephen Booth, of think-tank Open Europe, said handing over control of immigration and asylum policy risked creating a public backlash.
He added: 'Asylum policy is a sensitive issue for the public and national governments therefore need to be clear and open about where EU asylum policy is heading in order to avoid a backlash from their citizens.'
Britain is one of only ten EU countries to operate a formal refugee resettlement programme.
Over the past five years the UK has accepted 2,500 refugees on top of the number coming in through the wider immigration and asylum system. A Home Office spokesman welcomed the new scheme but emphasised that it was voluntary.
He added: 'We are pleased to see the EU move towards a common system of refugee resettlement, which has the potential to benefit some of the world's most vulnerable people.
'We will consider and scrutinise the details of these new proposals very carefully prior to agreement and the UK has the ability to opt out of any proposal that is not in our national interest.'
Read more:
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UDGET SQUEEZE HITS THE WEAKEST. This article was published by The Independent in July:Asylum-seekers among first victims of cuts in public spending as state support is slashed from £42 to £35 a week.
Allowances for people who claim refuge in Britain will be cut or frozen in the autumn in an effort to reduce the size of the asylum budget.
Sandy Buchan, the chief executive of the charity Refugee Action, said: "Everyone is aware we are facing difficult economic times, but we cannot understand why the Government would seek to penalise the poorest in this way.
"Those seeking sanctuary are already the most vulnerable members of society, and to target them, especially lone parents with dependent children, seems unjustifiably harsh.
"It is also difficult to see how the spectacle of ever greater numbers of asylum-seekers sleeping rough or begging on our streets will assist community cohesion or increase public confidence in ministers' management of housing and immigration policy."
Email the immigration minister and stop the government penalising the poorest.
Go to www.refugee-action.org.uk
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HRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH-ON. Thursday, 12th November in the City Centre.
C
ITY CENTRE EVENTS. Keep up to date with all City Centre events on:
http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/citycentre C
ONGOLESE ASYLUM SEEKER FACES REPATRIATION. The following article was published in The Herald onMonday, September 07, 2009, 07:50:
A CONGOLESE asylum-seeker who told his dramatic story to The Herald earlier this year has been seized by immigration officers who plan to repatriate him.
Toto Masudi fled from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, formerly Zaire) and sought asylum in Britain in March 2005.
He said he was fleeing for his life after assassins tried to kill him in a Kinshasa restaurant.
The Home Office had been considering his case ever since, and Mr Masudi was sent to Plymouth through the dispersal system.
As an asylum-seeker, he was unable to work, but he became involved as a volunteer with the Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support Council, as well as organising events for the African community.
Deborah Ingram, secretary of the All Nations Ministry church in Plymouth, said Mr Masudi had been detained earlier this week when he went to sign on at Charles Cross police station, as asylum-seekers are required to do.
She said the anxiety caused Mr Masudi to collapse, and he was taken to Derriford Hospital, but was returned to the cells early the following morning. He was then moved to the Campsfield Immigration Removal Centre in Oxfordshire, run by the UK Borders Agency, and was told that he would be put on a flight to DRC on September 18.
Ms Ingram said: "He's a very respected man in the Congolese community in Plymouth.
"This is a human story that shows the distressing face of the asylum system in Britain."
Deborah Ingram, secretary of the All Nations Ministry church in Plymouth, said Mr Masudi had been detained earlier this week when he went to sign on at Charles Cross police station, as asylum-seekers are required to do.
She said the anxiety caused Mr Masudi to collapse, and he was taken to Derriford Hospital, but was returned to the cells early the following morning. He was then moved to the Campsfield Immigration Removal Centre in Oxfordshire, run by the UK Borders Agency, and was told that he would be put on a flight to DRC on September 18.
Ms Ingram said: "He's a very respected man in the Congolese community in Plymouth.
"This is a human story that shows the distressing face of the asylum system in Britain."
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Ms Ingram said that the All Nations church did not believe that DRC was a safe place to return people to.
She cited a report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre in DRC which said: "Fighting between militia groups and Congolese armed forces supported by the UN, as well as attacks and violence against civilians, caused the displacement of some 800,000 people in the east of the DRC during the first six months of 2009.
"Many internally displaced people have not received assistance from international agencies, whose access has been blocked by the insecurity." Earlier this year, Mr Masudi told The Herald that he had been a media adviser to Vice-president Azarias Ruberwa, who had led one of the factions in the deadly Congo War that killed an estimated 5.4 million people up to 2008.
He said that he fled after assassins, probably working for president Joseph Kabila, came looking for him as he had lunch with a friend. He said: "By some miracle, I had left to go to the toilet."
Mr Masudi heard the men questioning his friend, and escaped out of the back of the restaurant.
His friend was not so lucky. Mr Masudi says he was killed there and then.
"At that moment I decided I had to get out," Mr Masudi said.
Ms Ingram said Mr Masudi, a father-of-four who's children are refugees in another African country, was "very frightened" at the prospect of being returned to DRC, and the church was trying to organise an appeal.
A spokesperson for the UK borders Agency said it routinely removed people to DRC, but did not comment on individual cases.
She cited a report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre in DRC which said: "Fighting between militia groups and Congolese armed forces supported by the UN, as well as attacks and violence against civilians, caused the displacement of some 800,000 people in the east of the DRC during the first six months of 2009.
"Many internally displaced people have not received assistance from international agencies, whose access has been blocked by the insecurity." Earlier this year, Mr Masudi told The Herald that he had been a media adviser to Vice-president Azarias Ruberwa, who had led one of the factions in the deadly Congo War that killed an estimated 5.4 million people up to 2008.
He said that he fled after assassins, probably working for president Joseph Kabila, came looking for him as he had lunch with a friend. He said: "By some miracle, I had left to go to the toilet."
Mr Masudi heard the men questioning his friend, and escaped out of the back of the restaurant.
His friend was not so lucky. Mr Masudi says he was killed there and then.
"At that moment I decided I had to get out," Mr Masudi said.
Ms Ingram said Mr Masudi, a father-of-four who's children are refugees in another African country, was "very frightened" at the prospect of being returned to DRC, and the church was trying to organise an appeal.
A spokesperson for the UK borders Agency said it routinely removed people to DRC, but did not comment on individual cases.
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ONTINENTAL MARKET. Thursday, 15th – Sunday, 18th October at the City Centre.F
ORCING ASYLUM SEEKERS INTO DESTITUTION. The following article was published in The Guardian on Tuesday, 4th August 2009:The slashing of allowances is the latest in a series of mealy-mouthed initiatives that hurt those seeking refuge here. The onslaught continues. The UK Border Agency (UKBA) announced recently that it would be slashing the weekly allowance for asylum seekers from £42 to £35, a cut of nearly 20%. How can anyone survive on £5 per day when a two-zone, off-peak return journey by tube costs more than that?
The Daily Mail comments on this development with approval that immigration chiefs admitted they had been "too generous". This is compounded by the fact that they are not allowed to work. This leads to the kind of crazy distortion highlighted by Teresa Hayter, an expert on Britain's immigration regime: "It recruits nurses in Zimbabwe, but imprisons Zimbabwean nurses." A recent report (pdf) published by the Refugee Council surveyed Zimbabwean asylum seekers and found that 64% of them were educated to GCSE level and beyond and their occupations ranged from teachers, town planners, surveyors and transport managers to engineers, mechanics and IT specialists.
Destitution forces many asylum seekers to end up working for extremely low wages in catering, cleaning and construction, for example, without any protection against unscrupulous employers. It has been estimated that Britain loses up to £1bn in tax revenue from undocumented workers in this country. If they turn to petty crime to survive, Daily Mail readers will be the first to lash out against the "crime wave" without even trying to join the dots.
This is the latest wheeze in a series of policy initiatives designed as a disincentive for those who flee to the UK, seeking refuge under the Geneva convention of 1951 which was drawn up for the protection of those who have been persecuted.
The UKBA site boasts that only 17 of every 100 applications succeeds, the implicit suggestion being that the rest are "bogus" and it is a sign of its vigilance that they do not succeed.
However, it should give us some pause for thought that at any point in time there is a strong convergence between the rise in numbers of asylum seekers of a particular nationality and a country in turmoil. The top five countries in 2007 were Afghanistan, Iran, China, Iraq and Eritrea. Three of those countries would be on the list of anyone who is even casually interested in world politics.
Destitution forces many asylum seekers to end up working for extremely low wages in catering, cleaning and construction, for example, without any protection against unscrupulous employers. It has been estimated that Britain loses up to £1bn in tax revenue from undocumented workers in this country. If they turn to petty crime to survive, Daily Mail readers will be the first to lash out against the "crime wave" without even trying to join the dots.
This is the latest wheeze in a series of policy initiatives designed as a disincentive for those who flee to the UK, seeking refuge under the Geneva convention of 1951 which was drawn up for the protection of those who have been persecuted.
The UKBA site boasts that only 17 of every 100 applications succeeds, the implicit suggestion being that the rest are "bogus" and it is a sign of its vigilance that they do not succeed.
However, it should give us some pause for thought that at any point in time there is a strong convergence between the rise in numbers of asylum seekers of a particular nationality and a country in turmoil. The top five countries in 2007 were Afghanistan, Iran, China, Iraq and Eritrea. Three of those countries would be on the list of anyone who is even casually interested in world politics.
There were about 23,000 asylum applications in 2007, the lowest for 14 years. The then immigration minister, Liam Byrne, boasted that stronger border controls were delivering the fall in numbers. But the rise and fall of asylum seekers is in direct response to levels of oppression in their home countries. There is no legal way for asylum seekers to come to this country. There is no "refugee" visa. They come on business, student or visitor visas and must apply for asylum as soon as possible - those who cannot manage even those papers because of the level of anarchy in their home countries get on the back of lorries and embark on the most dangerous journeys over thousands of miles.
They are not coming for economic benefits to a country in recession (we have seen a dramatic fall in numbers coming for work from eastern European countries for precisely that reason) but because their lives are in danger. Their very method of entry criminalises them and exposes them to extraordinary levels of suspicion from state and society.
Currently those granted refugee status get only five years' leave to remain after which time they may well be sent back. Surely Britain can afford to deliver its responsibilities under the Geneva convention in the right spirit, nor erode them by such mealy-mouthed measures.
They are not coming for economic benefits to a country in recession (we have seen a dramatic fall in numbers coming for work from eastern European countries for precisely that reason) but because their lives are in danger. Their very method of entry criminalises them and exposes them to extraordinary levels of suspicion from state and society.
Currently those granted refugee status get only five years' leave to remain after which time they may well be sent back. Surely Britain can afford to deliver its responsibilities under the Geneva convention in the right spirit, nor erode them by such mealy-mouthed measures.
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TOP CUTS TO ASYLUM SUPPORT. Refugee asks that we please write to the Home Secretary.
Dear Supporter,
Stop cuts to asylum support
The government has recently announced, in a letter sent to refugee agencies that from October, support to single asylum seekers aged over 25 is to be reduced to just £35.13 each week. This is basically £5 per day, to cover anything that an individual might need while waiting for a decision on their claim.
This means everything food, toiletries, clothes, travel, phone calls on just £5 per day.
While the amounts going to children, couples and 18-24 year olds will go up in line with inflation, the government has decided that because supported asylum seekers are provided with accommodation that includes utilities bills, unlike other people on benefits they don't face additional costs when they turn 25. So, they are introducing a single rate for all single asylum seekers regardless of age.
We are really disappointed that, instead of using this as an opportunity to raise rates for under 25s, the change will mean a cut from £42 to £35.13 for over-25s. This means that people who start receiving support from October will have to manage on nearly £7 a week less than current rates leaving them to survive on just a little more than 50% of standard income support.
If asylum seekers who are able to work were allowed to do so, they wouldn't be forced to rely on benefits.
Asylum seekers are among the most vulnerable impoverished groups in our society. They have often experienced unimaginable traumas, including torture, rape or other forms of violence, and have come to the UK with nothing. They deserve our help and compassion, not to be penalised.
Whats more, the government did this without any consultation, on the basis that it believes no-one will care. We know this is not the case, and we need your help now, to stop this change going ahead.
Please write to the Home Secretary, Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson MP, to ask him to reconsider urgently.
The Refugee Council website has a model letter for you to print out and send to the Home Secretary : www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/stopcuts. If you have time, please personalise the letter as this will increase its impact. Don't forget to include your own address.
Thanks for your support.
The Campaigns Team Stop cuts to asylum support
The government has recently announced, in a letter sent to refugee agencies that from October, support to single asylum seekers aged over 25 is to be reduced to just £35.13 each week. This is basically £5 per day, to cover anything that an individual might need while waiting for a decision on their claim.
This means everything food, toiletries, clothes, travel, phone calls on just £5 per day.
While the amounts going to children, couples and 18-24 year olds will go up in line with inflation, the government has decided that because supported asylum seekers are provided with accommodation that includes utilities bills, unlike other people on benefits they don't face additional costs when they turn 25. So, they are introducing a single rate for all single asylum seekers regardless of age.
We are really disappointed that, instead of using this as an opportunity to raise rates for under 25s, the change will mean a cut from £42 to £35.13 for over-25s. This means that people who start receiving support from October will have to manage on nearly £7 a week less than current rates leaving them to survive on just a little more than 50% of standard income support.
If asylum seekers who are able to work were allowed to do so, they wouldn't be forced to rely on benefits.
Asylum seekers are among the most vulnerable impoverished groups in our society. They have often experienced unimaginable traumas, including torture, rape or other forms of violence, and have come to the UK with nothing. They deserve our help and compassion, not to be penalised.
Whats more, the government did this without any consultation, on the basis that it believes no-one will care. We know this is not the case, and we need your help now, to stop this change going ahead.
Please write to the Home Secretary, Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson MP, to ask him to reconsider urgently.
The Refugee Council website has a model letter for you to print out and send to the Home Secretary : www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/stopcuts. If you have time, please personalise the letter as this will increase its impact. Don't forget to include your own address.
Thanks for your support.
Refugee Council
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MMIGRATION DOWN IN CITY BY ONE THIRD. The following article was published in The Herald on Wednesday, 2nd September 2009:IMMIGRATION in Plymouth has fallen by a third while the number of people moving abroad from the city has gone up, figures have revealed.
The number of foreign nationals arriving in the city dropped to 2,100 in 2008, compared to 3,200 the previous year. At the same time, the number of overseas nationals leaving Plymouth rose by 40% from 1,000 in 2007 to 1,400 last year.
The downward shift is in line with the national trend for a recession-linked drop in immigration as a large number of Eastern Europeans return home and the number of new arrivals fall dramatically.
But during the same period figures from the Office for National Statistics showed the number of people settling in the city from elsewhere in the country rose slightly from 10,200 to 10,400, while the number leaving fell, albeit also by a small amount from 10,700 and 10,400.
Overall, the city's total population continued to grow, rising by just over 2,000 over the year to 252,800 in mid 2008, due to births outstripping deaths and overall migration.
It comes as a national baby boom contributed to the UK's overall population rising above 61million for the first time.
The UK population is now 61.4million, a rise of more than 400,000 since last year - the highest numerical increase since 1962 and a rise of two million since 2001, despite an apparent end to the wave of Eastern European immigration of recent years.
New arrivals from the A8 countries - including Poland - which joined the EU in May 2004, fell to a trickle, as the economy nose-dived, according to the figures. Chief statistician Karen Dunnell said the increase in emigration was probably due to the economic downturn.
Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said the figures demonstrated that immigration was "under control".
"The fall in net migration is further proof that migrants come to the UK for short periods of time, work, contribute to the economy and then return home," said Mr Woolas.
"Our new flexible points based system gives us greater control on those coming to work or study from outside Europe, ensuring that only those that Britain needs can come."
But Shadow Immigration Minister Damian Green said: "These figures show our population is still rising fast, even when the recession is driving hundreds of thousands of people to leave.
"This puts added pressure on housing and transport, and shows that there is still no proper control over immigration numbers."
Overall, the city's total population continued to grow, rising by just over 2,000 over the year to 252,800 in mid 2008, due to births outstripping deaths and overall migration.
It comes as a national baby boom contributed to the UK's overall population rising above 61million for the first time.
The UK population is now 61.4million, a rise of more than 400,000 since last year - the highest numerical increase since 1962 and a rise of two million since 2001, despite an apparent end to the wave of Eastern European immigration of recent years.
New arrivals from the A8 countries - including Poland - which joined the EU in May 2004, fell to a trickle, as the economy nose-dived, according to the figures. Chief statistician Karen Dunnell said the increase in emigration was probably due to the economic downturn.
Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said the figures demonstrated that immigration was "under control".
"The fall in net migration is further proof that migrants come to the UK for short periods of time, work, contribute to the economy and then return home," said Mr Woolas.
"Our new flexible points based system gives us greater control on those coming to work or study from outside Europe, ensuring that only those that Britain needs can come."
But Shadow Immigration Minister Damian Green said: "These figures show our population is still rising fast, even when the recession is driving hundreds of thousands of people to leave.
"This puts added pressure on housing and transport, and shows that there is still no proper control over immigration numbers."
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NTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN PLYMOUTH. Church leaders from across the world will be visiting Plymouth as part of an international conference.
The event, being held at the Holiday Inn on the Hoe in October, will see speakers from the UK, America and South Africa taking part.
Mike Davies of the Church of the Nations International, which is organising the event, said: "It's been several years since we hosted one of our European conferences in the South West, with the last being held in St. Mellion. Although it's a European conference we're expecting delegates from all over the world; we already have bookings from India, USA, South Africa, Kenya, and a lot of European nations." The conference is being held in the city between Thursday, 22nd and Sunday, 25th October.
Mike Davies of the Church of the Nations International, which is organising the event, said: "It's been several years since we hosted one of our European conferences in the South West, with the last being held in St. Mellion. Although it's a European conference we're expecting delegates from all over the world; we already have bookings from India, USA, South Africa, Kenya, and a lot of European nations." The conference is being held in the city between Thursday, 22nd and Sunday, 25th October.
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CADC NEWS SERVICE. ( National Coalition of Anti-Deportation ).
The full News Service can be viewed on this site: http://www.ncadc.org.uk/
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NE WORLD WEEK. One World Week is an opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to come together to learn about global justice, to spread that learning and to use it to take action for justice locally and globally. It will take place between Saturday, 18th Sunday, 25th October during 2009.
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LYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL YOUTH SERVICE Age 13 – 19? Join the Youth Panel! Guess what? The Youth Service has money to give to projects designed by and for young people in all areas of Plymouth! Youth groups can apply to get a share of this money to use for all sorts of challenging, interesting and fun activities!
For this to happen, we need YOU! Join the panel that helps decide who gets the money! What's involved?
•Two hours one evening a week – the group will meet to look
at applications!
•Two days of training - then you will be a fully fledged youth
panel member!
•Transport is paid for so it is completely FREE!
•Plus the panel gets to visit some of the projects, go on trips
and members get accreditation (qualifications)!
I like getting to understand projects and how they are run.
Our group has fun as well as doing the work.
Free food at meetings.
Yeah!
To get involved or find out more about joining the panel please telephone Abby Chu on (01752) 306596 or ask your Youth Worker to put your name forward.
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LYMOUTH GUILD TO HOST TABLE-TOP SALE. Plymouth Guild, will be hosting a coffee morning and table-top sale on Thursday, 8th October. There will be plants, cakes and bric-a-brac on sale and a raffle at the Guild's base in Ernest English House, Buckwell Street. The event will run from 10 a.m. - noon. For more information please telephone: (01752) 201766. 9
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AD NEWS. We received the following news from AviD in June... very sad indeed:Dear All,
As you know, AviD will be winding up at the end of July.
AviD is a project managed and supported by the Plymouth Arts Centre, Plymouth & District Racial Equality Council, and Theatre Royal Plymouth. The initial aim of the project was to embed culturally diverse arts activity within the landscape of Plymouth, including the three partner organisations. AviD really has driven the culturally diverse arts agenda with high profile projects and its strategic development within the city, we are proud to say that AviD has succeeded far beyond expectation.
Unfortunately AviD's current round of funding has come to an end and whilst we recognise the importance of the role and the provision, we have had to make very tough decisions and therefore have put a freeze on all activities at present. We recognise that the work AviD provides is vital and we do hope to continue this and the partnership, but given the current situation in which we find ourselves this may take some time to develop.
We'd like to say a huge thank you to Abi, Becca and Kate for their hard work and dedication and to all the organisations and individuals who have supported the project over the past few years.
With very best wishes,
Ian Hutchinson,
Plymouth Arts Centre
Sue Stratton,
Plymouth and District Racial Equality Council
Victoria Allen,
Theatre Royal Plymouth
AviD
Plymouth Arts Centre,
38 Looe Street,
Plymouth
PL4 0EB.
+44 (01752) 276990
avid@plymouthartscentre.org
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LYMOUTH & DISTRICT RACIAL EQUALITY COUNCIL (PDREC). Please note that the PDREC Bulletin (Issue 22) for August 2009 is available to download from their website now:
http://www.plymouthrec.org/documents/BulletinAug2009lowres.pdf
This issue is packed full of interesting articles and also a variety of upcoming events and activities of interest. This should make for a compelling read not to be missed - so download your copy today so you don't miss any opportunities.
This issue is packed full of interesting articles and also a variety of upcoming events and activities of interest. This should make for a compelling read not to be missed - so download your copy today so you don't miss any opportunities.
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ECESSION IS HITTING CHARITIES'BUDGETS. This is an extract of an article that appeared in The Herald on Tuesday, 22nd September 2009:
PLYMOUTH charities have revealed the effect that the economic downturn has had on their funding, voicing concerns about future changes that may have to be made. Statistics released by the Press Association have shown charitable organisations are seeing a drop in income as a result of the recession.
We at DCRSC could have told them that months ago! Ed.
For those who wish to read more please go to:
http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/RECESSION-HITTING-CHARITIES-BUDGETS/article-1355331-detail/article.html?cacheBust=lwYQ656O66QI&success=true#community
It is hard to think of an area of life which has not been affected in some way by the ravages of the credit crunch. Budgets, ranging from the biggest multi-national companies to individuals, have been squeezed as a result of recession. We are all feeling the pinch in one way or another; but it is worrying that charities are suffering too, despite many people's natural inclination to be generous, whatever the prevailing economic circumstances.
This could not have happened at a worse time as when circumstances become challenging, an increasing number of people look to charities for help. Yet at that very time they are needed most, they find their income shrinking. It is a vicious circle, and one which is causing concern among those who administer charitable groups, and the people who rely on their good works. Let's hope, for everyone's sake, that the economic tide begins to turn soon; and that groups which do so much good work in so many different areas, see an upturn in donations.
12TH
RESPECT FESTIVAL:
WORLD CLASS ENTERTAINMENT CONFIRMED.Musicians from Cuba, Brazil, India and Kurdistan will be featuring at this year's 12th annual Plymouth Respect Festival, taking place on Saturday and Sunday, 24th and 25th October. The packed line-up promises to deliver that rich mix of music, cultures and experiences that the Plymouth Respect Festival is famed for. The event takes place over two days in Plymouth's city centre, taking over The Guildhall, Civic Square and the Armada Way piazza.
Look out for Samba Saturday, when Samba bands from across the South West will converge on Plymouth to strut through the city like its Rio de Janeiro!
"We've gone further afield to attract world-class musicians as this event is growing and growing," said Artistic Director Dan Thompson, who stages the event with the Plymouth & District Racial Equality Council. "Every year we try to add something new to keep the Plymouth Respect Festival fresh and relevant."
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The Plymouth Respect Festival is an important event in the city's calendar for highlighting diversity and celebrating differences. It does this via information stands and demonstrations, foods, workshops, children's play areas and performances.A spin-off strand of events is called Respect 4 Respect - with events and shows throughout the year to demonstrate the wide-reaching effects of the Festival.
The Festival is about to have a new-look website too, featuring information, video and pictures from past events. Visit www.plymouthrespectfestival.co.uk where you can sign up to the Plymouth Respect Festival mailing list.
Events already planned for the two-day international extravaganza, which is the largest multicultural event in the West Country, include:
Lido 66 – UK-based Afro-Cuban salsa band incorporating several musicians trained by Cuban masters in Havana
Ricky Romain &Jon Sterckx – sitar and tabla performance
Ilu axé – a Brazilian Performing Arts project based in Bristol which teaches and performs original choreographed arrangements which showcase the music and dance of Brazil's North-East.
The Simmertones – Devon two-tone and ska specialists
Kagemusha Taiko – Exeter-based Japanese drummers
Tatry – Polish folk song and dance troupe
Ravi – leading UK Mongolian throat singer
Bombay Baja – Indian marching brass band
Respect 4 Respect: Baluji Shrivastav and the Bhagavad Gita – Inspired by a beautiful poem from one of the Hindu epics, Baluji will be bringing together bass sitar, kora, violin, jazz inspired vocals and a leading spoken word artist to create a new work for 2009, performed at the Barbican Theatre on Friday, 23rd October.
ZubopGambia – worldbeat music group Zubop meets West African master musicians, fusing traditional West African pieces, elements of jazz, township music, pop, reggae, blues and many other styles.
Faces of Respect – A picture frame will be positioned in the Guildhall and you're invited to be this year's model. Wear your best look, traditional dress, face-paint, make-up and prepare for the limelight!
The Plymouth Respect Festival is the annual celebration of Plymouth's multiculture, fusing colours, music, vibrancy, performance, arts and information. Last year, over 20,000 people attended over the 2 days, enjoying Plymouth Respect Festival's mix of multiculture, music and family entertainment.
Cultures represented include: Nigerian, Indian, Ghanaian, Chinese, Thai, Russian, Arabic, Hebrew, Lebanese, Kosovan, Greek, Kurdish, Cornish, Scottish, Portuguese, Spanish, Brazilian, Argentinean, French, Cuban and many more. There are upwards of 80 languages spoken in Plymouth, according to the city's education authority.
www.plymouthrespectfestival.co.uk
Check out our MySpace page:
www.myspace.com/plymouthrespectfestival
Editors' notes:
•The Plymouth Respect Festival is 12 years old in 2009.
•For Plymouth Respect Festival press and picture enquiries,
contact: KATIE THOMPSON via
•For Plymouth Respect Festival press and picture enquiries,
contact: KATIE THOMPSON via
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ELP REFUGEE ACTION STOP ASYLUM SUPPORT CUTS. Refugee Action have launched a new campaign to stop the government from cutting asylum support rates - a move which will unfairly impact on some of the poorest and most
vulnerable in our society, including lone parents with dependent children, and young people. We have written to all MPs in England to ask for their support in stopping the cuts, and so far hundreds of you have written to the immigration minister, asking him to stop penalising the poorest.
Check out news coverage of the cuts in the Independent and a far from sympathetic story in the Daily Mail. We need more people to speak out tell the government that putting the squeeze on asylum seekers, who have already escaped terrible circumstances and often lost everything, is simply not acceptable.Take Action Now! Click on either link!
http://www.e-activist.com/ea-campaign/broadcast.response.do?ea.url.id=17339&ea.campaigner.email=84aDnzVwF%2FPjpRgD6BQRsJZYG8d2vDMP&forwarded=true
To read more about Refugee Action click on this link:
http://www.refugee-action.org.uk/about/default.aspx
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EFUGEE ACTION STANDS UP FOR CALAIS MIGRANTS.
Refugee Action has this week urged the French government to take responsibility for the migrants in Calais.
As French authorities demolished the camps on Tuesday, 22nd September, we urged the authorities to encourage anyone with protection needs to claim asylum in France, and for any other migrants to receive help in returning to their countries voluntarily.
Many of the people who are living in the makeshift camps are from countries like Afghanistan, Iraq and Eritrea - countries where conflict and human rights abuses are taking place. Many of those who are in Calais are also under 18. Under current EU law, those with close family in the UK should be allowed to come here to join their family, especially if they are children who have lost their parents.
Our Chief Executive Sandy Buchan and our Communications Director Dan Hodges stood up for the rights of those who need protection during interviews on Sky News, and Dan Hodges was also interviewed on Channel 4 News, BBC News, ITV Meridian TV News, Five Live, and on a variety of regional radio stations. For another chance to see the Channel 4 news interview click here.
We are still concerned about the treatment of people in Calais now that the media spotlight has gone away but we will stay in touch with the situation on the ground, through our contacts with local organisations in Calais, and continue to be at the forefront of highlighting any breaches in asylum rights.
Our Chief Executive Sandy Buchan and our Communications Director Dan Hodges stood up for the rights of those who need protection during interviews on Sky News, and Dan Hodges was also interviewed on Channel 4 News, BBC News, ITV Meridian TV News, Five Live, and on a variety of regional radio stations. For another chance to see the Channel 4 news interview click here.
We are still concerned about the treatment of people in Calais now that the media spotlight has gone away but we will stay in touch with the situation on the ground, through our contacts with local organisations in Calais, and continue to be at the forefront of highlighting any breaches in asylum rights.
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Clearing the Calais camp will not sweep away the real problem, and EU member states must work together to implement high standards of treatment for those seeking sanctuary across the region.
See below for links to some of our press coverage.
Refugee Action's comments appeared in The Guardian, The Independent, The Daily Mirror, BBC news, The Daily Express and The Sun.
See below for links to some of our press coverage.
Refugee Action's comments appeared in The Guardian, The Independent, The Daily Mirror, BBC news, The Daily Express and The Sun.
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EFUGEE COUNCIL NEWS REVIEW.
The Refugee Council's News Review rounds up media coverage of issues relating to refugees and asylum for
anyone who wants to keep up to date with the latest developments. For more information on this and other articles, please visit:
http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/
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ANTA'S ICE CASTLE. Thursday, 12th November – Thursday, 24th December in the City Centre.
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HEATRE ROYAL'S ROLE WITH ASYLUM SEEKERS & REFUGEES. The 2001 census showed that only 2% of Plymouth's population were from a black and minority ethnic group, with small numbers representing a wide variety of backgrounds. 
In July 2002 the Home Office designated Plymouth as a dispersal centre for asylum seekers which has resulted in a sharp increase in numbers. Another dispersal centre, Leicester, already had an existing, well-integrated BME community (2001 census – 7.2%). In contrast Plymouth bore a dramatic change in demographic, in a short space of time which has meant that some communities have found it difficult to adjust. Many negative press stories relating to asylum seekers in Plymouth exacerbated the issue and the result has been that many communities have faced racism and discrimination due to a lack of understanding and experience.
It is estimated that there are now 500 asylum seeking individuals or families in Plymouth, many of whom feel lonely and isolated and often not in touch with anyone from their country of origin.
If anyone is just interested in drama, our regular Young Company and People's Company groups are of course open to everyone and take place weekly at TR2, we also have regular productions in the Drum. We are looking into bursaries to see if we can further support people to take part but concessions are available: go to
www.theatreroyal.com/youngcompany or
www.theatreroyal.com/peoplescompany to find out more.
All the best, and thank you again!
Bridget
It is estimated that there are now 500 asylum seeking individuals or families in Plymouth, many of whom feel lonely and isolated and often not in touch with anyone from their country of origin.
If anyone is just interested in drama, our regular Young Company and People's Company groups are of course open to everyone and take place weekly at TR2, we also have regular productions in the Drum. We are looking into bursaries to see if we can further support people to take part but concessions are available: go to
www.theatreroyal.com/youngcompany or
www.theatreroyal.com/peoplescompany to find out more.
All the best, and thank you again!
Bridget
Bridget Floyer
Community Projects Producer
Theatre Royal Plymouth
TR2
12 Neptune Park
Cattedown
Plymouth
PL4 0SJ
t: 01752 230372
m: 07925 535778
f: 01752 225985
www.theatreroyal.com
Community Projects Producer
Theatre Royal Plymouth
TR2
12 Neptune Park
Cattedown
Plymouth
PL4 0SJ
t: 01752 230372
m: 07925 535778
f: 01752 225985
www.theatreroyal.com
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ANTED URGENTLY! The Centre is in need of some Leaflet Holders... you know the ones... the revolving type or the fixed type... so we can store and issue leaflets and pamphlets. Can anyone put their hands on any for us? Please contact the Ed.
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ORLD FOOD DAY 2009: World Food Day, on the 16th October 2009, is a chance to remind ourselves that poverty and hunger are problems the world over with a devastating impact and to again highlight the plight of 923 million undernourished people in the world. This year, the theme of World Food Day is World Food Security: the challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy and how global warning and the biofuel boom are now threatening to push the number of hungry people events higher.
World Food Day is also a startling reminder that in a developed country such as the UK, seven million people are affected by low income - perhaps the most critical factor leading to food poverty, and it is estimated that around million million people in the UK cannot afford a healthy diet. However, food poverty affects disadvantaged people all year round. And for vulnerable people, because of rising food prices, it will be even more difficult to access affordable nutritious food, leading to increased food poverty across a broader spectrum of people in the country.
FareShare aims to support people in the UK that are suffering from food poverty and World Food Day provides us with another opportunity to reinforce our message that 'No Good Food Should Be Wasted.'
Click here for more information on World Food Day.
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ORLD COASTAL ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS. Friday, 23rd – Sunday, 25th October at Plymouth Sound. Visit:
http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/leisureandtourism/whatson/octoberevents.htm
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