Monday, May 19, 2008
West London Refugees' Events List. May - June 2008
A monthly electronic listing of events and opportunities useful for refugees and refugee organisations. If you wish to be on the list, please e-mail
olesya@reap.org.ukTell us your views about this Events List.
If you wish to add your event to our monthly listing, please send us an e-mail with the details and a contact name to
olesya@reap.org.ukDate
19 May
Time
4.30
Venue
Westbourne Studios, The Project Space, 242 Acklam Road, W10 5JJ
EVENT
FILM: Welcome to England
Treasure Films has produced a documentary film, made by 10- and 11-year-old children from Middle Row Primary School, Kensington and Chelsea. The film centres on an intergenerational project with older African and Caribbean people from the Pepper Pot Day Centre under the Westway, W10. The film focuses on the older people?s experiences of moving to England, and helping to shape their communities.
more info
info@treasurefilms.co.uk
Date
19 - 23 May
EVENT
Hillcroft College: Adult Learners Week
We all have creative potential and sometimes need just a little help to express that inner creativity. Hillcroft College can help! Enrol on their 1 week Creative Workshop for Adult Learners Week and unlock your potential.
They will offer an exciting range of activities including- Storytelling- Voice and Self- Movement and Drama- Creative communication with self and others- Harnessing your creative energy for self development and fulfillment
more info
For information on how to apply please telephone Admissions on 0208 399 2688 or email
enquiry@hillcroft.ac.ukDate
20 May
Time
10:00 ? 15:00
Venue
TBC
EVENT
Refugees for Equalities ? Briefing & Initial Training
REAP is pleased to launch Refugees for Equalities
Are you a refugee or asylum seeker?
Do you care about Justice?
Do you care about Equality?
Do you care about fair treatment?
Join REAP?s new group Refugees for Equalitiesto change attitudes by taking part in research, lobbying, debates, events, arts & theatre.
Get training in:
Community Research ?find out about peoples needs and experiences;
Policy Advocacy ? help get voices heard by policy makers;
Equalities & Rights ? know about human rights, equality laws & government policies.
As part of Refugees for Equalities you will work to understand change attitudes of people about refugees and age, disability, gender, reassignment of gender, race, religion, and sexual orientation.
more info
Poornima on 01895 441530 at REAP or
poornima@reap.org.ukDate
20 May
Time
6.30 pm
Venue
Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3EA
EVENT
FILM: Behind the Screen: ?War on Democracy? (cert 12A)
Directed by John Pilger. Running time 94 mins
In this hard hitting documentary, Australian journalist and commentator John Pilger launches a blistering attack on American foreign policy. The film accuses the US of consistently undermining popular movements throughout Central and South America and supporting right wing dictatorships in the region in order to promote America?s economic interests. Revealing interviews include one with an ex-CIA chief who asserts: ?In the CIA we don?t give a hoot about democracy?.
A troubling and thought provoking film.
more info
Admission is free but booking is essential at
www.amnesty.org.uk/eventsDate
21 May
Time
6.30 for 7.00pm
Venue
Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3EA
EVENT
Book launch ? Vera Chirwa: Fearless Fighter
Amnesty International and Zed Books invite you to a panel discussion and drinks reception to mark the publication of Fearless Fighter.
Vera Chirwa is an extraordinary Malawian human rights activist. She and her husband Orton Chirwa, Malawi?s former Justice Minister, spent 12 years in prison without a fair trial, after receiving a death sentence. Orton died in prison. Throughout their detention, Amnesty International campaigned on behalf of the Chirwas. Now Vera tells the remarkable story of her fight for justice and human rights.
Vera Chirwa will be in discussion with renowned poet Jack Mapanje, himself a former inmate of Malawi?s jails during the life-presidency of Hastings Banda.
more info
Admission free but booking essential at www.amnesty.org.uk/events
Date
21 May
Time
13:00 ? 16:00
Venue
Refugee Council, 240 ? 250 Ferndale Road, London SW9 8BB
EVENT
?Working together? an event for RCOs based in London
Refugee Council would like to invite you to this event to hear about the influencing work they are doing around integration and improvement of the asylum system. There will be a ?market stall? area where you will be able to network with other RCOs, and opportunities to talk to Refugee Council staff to find out more about the different projects they are running.
There will be a choice of interactive workshops to attend on the themes of influencing government policy on integration and improving the asylum system. Please see enclosed programme, workshop information sheet and booking form for details. Travel expenses and a contribution to childcare expenses will be provided.
more info
For further information and registration call 020 7346 1094
Date
22 May
Time
15:00 ? 18:00
Venue
St Bride Foundation, Bride Lane, Fleet Street, London EC4Y 8EQ
EVENT
Domestic Violence, Immigration Law and No Recourse to Public Funds Rule
This workshop has been designed to enhance the practice of both lawyers and non lawyers working with victims of domestic violence. The aim is to share knowledge and provide a deeper and broader understanding of domestic violence and immigration law.With this in mind, the training workshop brings together leading lawyers and violence against women advocates to strengthen and further refine legal strategies used to analyse and improve women?s access to equality and justice.
more info
For further information and enquiries please contact Rapinder Virdi
finance@imkaan.org.ukDate
22 May
Time
7.00pm
Venue
Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3EA
EVENT
Vera Chirwa returns to the HRAC for a discussion on women and HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Sharing the platform will be Mary Rayner, author of the recent Amnesty International report ?I am at the lowest end of all? on the effects of HIV/AIDS on the lives of women in South Africa.
This is a subject of huge importance for millions of women in Africa. Some have been raped by infected soldiers as a weapon of war, others have been subjected to domestic and other forms of sexual coercion leading to infection. Their children may also be infected. Don?t miss this rare opportunity to discuss a large-scale problem that is seldom raised in public.
This event is organised by the Women?s Action Network (WAN). It is free of charge, but contributions to the work of the WAN would be appreciated.
more info
www.amnesty.org.uk/eventsDate
24 May ? closing date
JOB
The African Child (UK) (TAC) - BAME inclusion co-ordinator (Haringey)
Salary : 26,187 per annum including LW Full time post ? 36 hours per weekApplications closing date on : 24 May 2008 The African Child (UK) (TAC) is a registered charity which has been in existence since July 1999. They have many years of experience in supporting families with a main focus on those from black and minority ethnic communities. TAC provides their services in Brent, Hammersmith & Fulham and are now sharing our experience with partners in Haringey. Their work focuses mainly on the five outcomes of Every Child Matters and therefore targets BAME families in order to enhance the quality of life of children and young people.If you are the kind of person who would like to influence positive change in our society, have the drive to lead in this service and can work with minimum supervision, this is your opportunity to achieve your goal.
Applicants from Black , Asian and Minority Ethnic communities are encouraged to apply.If you wish to discuss this post in more detail please contact: Marble Magezi on 0208 459 9034.
more info
Application packs can be obtained from: The African Child (UK), Moran House, 449-451 High Road, London NW10 2JJ or send e-mail to:
info@theafricanchild.org.uk for an electronic version.
Date
27 May ? closing date
JOB
BrAVA ? Change Up and Partnership Manager
Salary £33,256 incl. 35 hours a weekThree Year fixed term contract, renewable subject to fundingClosing date Tuesday 27 May. Interviews week beginning the 2 June. BrAVA is the Council for Voluntary Services representing and providing capacity building for voluntary and community organizations across the London Borough of Brent.
You will be leading on our voluntary and community sector capacity building and our partnership development work to enable the voluntary and community sector across the London Borough of Brent influence the decisions that are made on their behalf through a range of strategic partnerships. This will involve managing a team that provides skills development training, organisational development and small groups? development work including work with hard to reach communities.
You will need at least five years experience of working in the VCS in either a paid or unpaid capacity, substantial staff management experience, ability to network and establish relationships with a range of partners, experience of working strategically on policy issues, and strong written and verbal communication skills.
more info
For an application pack: visit our website at
http://www.brava.org.uk/ or send email to
info@brava.org.uk tel. 020 8438 1520. For an informal chat please ask to speak to Keefa.
Date
28 May
Time
13:00 - 15:00
Venue
1 The Uplands (off Mazehill Terrace) St LeonardsTN38 OHL
EVENT
Diversity Recourse International warmly invites you to a social event
Theme: Better Communities
Guest Speaker: Nicole Zaaroura (Coordinator, Migrant Helpline).
Diversity Recourse International is a non-profit making company that helps Migrants and asylum, seekers to communicate with communities in Hastings and St Leonard?s. This event aims to bring all our mentors, volunteers and mentis together to reflect on our activities. This will be followed by a short presentation and social event. Our purpose is to help communities to lead a healthy life by creating a platform of communication cultural understanding and integration.
more info
Call Prue Maxwell on 01424 422306
Date
29 May
Time
10:00 ? 16:00
EVENT
IARS conference and annual general meetingIARS is a youth-led non-profit social policy think-tank that was set up in 2001 to give a voice to young people on policies and practices that affect them. This event will promote a youth led approach to policy making through evidence based research and youth empowerment.
Key speakers included Terry Ryall, CEO of V, the National Volunteering Charity and Dr Darren Sharpe, Young Researcher Network of the National Youth Agency.
There will also be a number of workshops on youth led policy and research.
more info
To find out more and to book a place visit
www.iars.org.uk/IARSEvent.htm, or contact Alex Burch on
a.budch@iars.org.uk or t: 020 7067 1248.
Date
End of May 2008 is the closing date for the survey
INFO
National Equality Partnership mappingThe new National Equality Partnership is undertaking a survey to map equalities infrastructure in London and around the country and would be delighted if you took part.
Who should complete the survey?
You should complete this survey if:* You are a not-for-profit organisation, project, network or social enterprise* Your organisation/network is run by and for a particular equalities group (or groups) or is an equality project within another organisation* Your organisation supports other organisations (you are 'second-tier')* You want to help inform the development of equality and diversity support in the third sector or you want to tell us about the needs and contribution of the groups you support* ... And you want the chance of winning £100!
How long will it take?
The survey will take 15-20 minutes to fill in, depending on how much you want to tell! If you don?t have much time, please just answer as many questions as you can.
£100 prize draw!
After the survey is closed a winner will be randomly selected and their organisation will receive the £100 prize by the end of June.
more info
You can respond to the survey at
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=bf0WQ2uEPTW2Acr74Om8Uw_3d_3d. or by contacting Isabel Hudson or Macarena Vergara on 020 7324 3030 or email
equality@wrc.org.uk.
Date
2 June and 22 September
Time
9.30am ? 4.30pm
Venue
NCVO, Regents Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London N1 9 RL
EVENT
Protecting women from persecution: claiming asylum in the UK and financial support throughout the process
This new and practical one day course is designed to introduce participants to the law that determines who should receive asylum or human rights protection in the UK, how their claim is determined and what financial support they are entitled to. The course has a particular focus on the needs of asylum seeking women who are experiencing or have experienced gender-based violence
All participants will receive a free copy of Rights of Women?s latest publication Pathways to Justice:BMER women, violence and the law.
This course is open to men and women. Places are available on a first come first served basis.
more info
For further information and to book please contact Malinda on 0207 251 6575/ 6 or
malinda@row.org.ukDate
5 June
EVENT
Event: Equality and Diversity: Beyond the buzzwordsThis half day event will stimulate discussion, and knowledge sharing on equalities for the Third Sector. By attending participants will:
Receive Olmec?s guide to equalities launched that day
Receive LVSC?s Equalities Audit report
Learning about support available through the National Equality Partnership
Explore the funding challenges for equalities work
Learn from leading organisations on how to set standards, benchmark, monitor and conduct an equalities audit
Network and establish contacts to share and develop your expertise in equalities.
more info
This event will be delivered by Olmec in partnership with, the National Equality Partnership based at the Women?s Resource Centre and LVSC. To find out more and to book a place visit
http://www.olmec-ec.org.uk/events/.
Date
11 June
Time
8.30 ? 10am
Venue
Isaac Newton Professional Development Centre, 108A Lancaster Road, W11 1QS
EVENT
Meet the Commissioners Seminar (by invitation only)
Commissioners from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the Primary Care Trust will be in attendance at this breakfast briefing . Mike Mainwaring, KCSC Policy Development Manager will deliver a talk on The State of the Sector examining what has happened over the last 5 years, where we are now and which direction we want to take.
This will be followed by a joint presentation on the Compact and Commissioning by Mary Gardiner, (CEO KCSC) and Usha Prema, Voluntary Sector Commissioner of the Primary Care Trust (PCT).
more info
Kuldip Bajwa
kuldip@kcsc.org.uk 020 7243 9804
Date
11 June ? register before 9 June
Time
1:30 ? 16:30
Venue
Centre for Armenian Information & Advice (CAIA)Hayashen, 105a Mill Hill Road, Acton, London W3 8JF
TRAINING
FREE: Employment Essentials
Organised by Ealing Advice ForumDelivered by Feride Baycan (LVSC BMER HR Advice & Support officer) REGISTER BEFORE 9th Juneby replying to this email stating name, organisation & phone number.
more info
Centre for Armenian Information & Advice (CAIA)Hayashen, 105a Mill Hill Road, Acton, London W3 8JFTel: 020 8992 4621
info@caia.org.uk http://www.caia.org.uk/Date
17 June
Time
6.30 pm
Venue
Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3EA
EVENT
FILM: Behind the Screen: The Exonerated (no cert)
Directed by Bob Balaban. Running time 95 minutes
Academy Award Winner Susan Sarandon stars alongside Danny Glover, Brian Dennehy, Delroy Lindo, David Brown Jr. and Aidan Quinn in a stunning exposé of the American Criminal Justice System.
Based on the award winning critically acclaimed play, The Exonerated tells the gripping true stories of six people who were wrongly convicted and sentenced to death for crimes they did not commit and, in the face of new evidence, exonerated before their execution.
This moving and compelling film is derived from real interviews, letters, transcripts and public records to tell the story of the lives that were destroyed despite evidence that could have freed them.
more info
Admission free. Booking essential at www.amnesty.org.uk/events
Date
18 June
Time
6.30 for 7.00pm
Venue
Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3EA
EVENT
Amnesty International special award for journalism
The winner of the Amnesty International special award for journalism will speak at this evening event at the HRAC. As part of the prestigious Amnesty International Media Awards, this award is presented to a journalist who has made an outstanding contribution to human rights journalism despite considerable personal risk. Winner to be announced at the awards ceremony on June 17.
more info
Admission free. Booking will open in June, please keep a check on the website.
Date
20 June
Time
9am - 4pm
Venue
Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Tottenham Green, London N15 4RX
EVENT
Culture and 2012: engaging marginalised young people through arts and sport
Arts and sport, cultural and recreational activity, can contribute to neighbourhood renewal and make a real difference to health, crime, employment and education in deprived communities. This timely conference will debate and explore how arts and sport are used to engage disadvantaged young people, addressing themes like:
Social responsibility (for example, fear, safety, knife/gun crime)
Citizenship, healthy living (gang culture, STDs)
Skills and training (self-confidence, employability)
Worklessness (benefits trap)
Equalities (social exclusion)
It will raise important questions for community and voluntary sector organisations, arts, youth, education, regeneration agencies and statutory bodies: What is the Cultural Olympiad really offering marginalised young people? Where do beneficiaries go at the end of their support? How are they involved in the design of these projects? Can we measure their impact? Where?s the sustainable long-term funding?
more info
For further information and to reserve your place visit
http://www.northlondonarts.info/culture-and-2012-conferenceDate
23 June
Time
6.15 for 7.30pm
Venue
Questors Theatre, 12 Mattock Lane, Ealing, W5
EVENT
A Night at the Opera
An evening of well-known and not so well-known songs and arias from traditional and modern operas ? Barber of Seville, Carmen, lakme, Marriage of Figaro, Pearl Fishers, Rigoletto, Tales of Hoffman, Porgy and Bess, West Side Story, etc.
The concert is to raise money to train two Nepalese musicians in Music Therapy on a year?s course in India so that Music Therapy can be introduced to Nepal.
more info
John Grosse, 42 North Drive, Hounslow, MIDDX, TW3 1PU
Date
26 June
Time
10:15am ? 3:40pm
Venue
One Whitehall Place, Westminster, London
EVENT
1st Annual Domestic Violence Symposium:
Reducing Harm, Protecting Vulnerable People
Improving Partnership Working Locally
The First Annual Symposium on Tackling Domestic Violence, hosted by the Centre for Parliamentary Studies, will offer a timely opportunity for local practitioners, police/probation service, health and other stakeholders to examine the progress to date in tackling domestic violence. Participants will consider the future outlook,
especially in the light of recent initiatives outlined in the far-reaching Action Plan for Tackling Violence 2008-2011 ?Saving Lives. Reducing Harm. Protecting the Public? which aims to send out a strong and clear message that violent crime in all its forms will no longer be tolerated.
more info
020 7878 1021 Fax: 020 7878 1035 Email: parvin.madahar@publicpolicyexchange.co.uk
Date
28 June
Time
10 ? 4.30pm
Venue
Lighthouse West London, 111-117 Lancaster Road, W11 1QT
EVENT
Community Empowerment and the Local Development Scheme Conference
KCSC will be hosting a full day conference to examine how communities can best influence local planning decisions.
The conference will aim to:
· Achieve full community input in the development of local planning policies and the consideration of local planning applications
· Develop awareness of the Local Development Framework
· Examine how regional (the London Plan and its supplementary planning documents) and national (planning policy statements) planning policies affect local decision making
· Develop community involvement in the local implementation of planning policies, i.e. the RBKC Core Strategy and the North Kensington Area Action Plan.
more info
Kuldip Bajwa
kuldip@kcsc.org.uk 020 7243 9804
Date
2 July
Time
10:00 ? 13:00
Venue
Uxbridge College, Hayes Campus
EVENT
Women?s Community Safety Day
Various speakers including representatives from The Community Safety Unit, Midwifery & The Community Outreach Project. Tea, Coffee and Pastries will be available during a refreshment break, when there will be a further opportunity to look at the information stalls.
DUE TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF SOME OF THE TALKS, IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE TO BRING CHILDREN OR BABIES.
more info
Fiona Millar 01895 442 929
Date
10 July
Time
9:30 ? 16:00
Venue
Central London
EVENT
Reaching Refugees in London; how your services can meet refugee needs better. Organised by REAP, LVSC, 3SA and others.
This is an event to share knowledge between voluntary organisations in the refugee sub-sector and those in wider voluntary sector, to learn how we can all work better towards integration.
more info
REAP 01895 441530
sarah@reap.org.ukDate
10 July
Time
9:30 ? 15:30
Venue
Waterman?s Arts Centre
EVENT
Community Cohesion ? West London Network Conference 2008
West London Network Conference for voluntary and community groups who work in Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon and Hounslow. This year?s conference will be ?Community Cohesion?.
more info
WLN 020 8572 5950
john@westlondonnetwork.org.ukINFO
The Settlement Trust Model (Housing)
A group of voluntary organisations has come together to create proposals for innovative housing solutions, aimed meeting the needs of migrants to the UK and of the wider community. The organisations are:
Ø The Carr Gomm Society;
Ø hact;
Ø Praxis; and
Ø Refugee Housing Association
These original sponsors have now been joined by the Shoreditch Trust. The project is also supported financially and practically by the Greater London Authority. The organisations are grateful for advice and input which has been freely and generously given by colleagues from Tribal and Bircham Dyson Bell.
This paper has been prepared for these organisations by Campbell Tickell, a consultancy firm. It sets out a proposal for a new housing model, referred to here as a ?Settlement Trust?.
more info
If you would like to know more about the model, or become involved in its development, please contact in the first instance James Tickell ? email:
james@campbelltickell.com, or telephone: 020 8830 6777.
INFO
Actors For Refugees are now Actors for Human Rights
Actors for Refugees, IceandFire theatre's national outreach network, will be known as Actors for Human Rights from now on. While continuing their work on asylum and refugee issues, they will also be drawing public attention to a number of human rights concerns. Two new plays are being launched in June - Rendition Monologues and Asylum Dialogues. For more info, please check out the new website:
www.iceandfire.co.uk/afhrmore info
and make a note of our new email address:
actors@iceandfire.co.ukINFO
FILM: Florence? the experience of becoming a mother in exile.
This is a short documentary film made by Anna Gaudion. Central to the film are the accounts from women of why they sought asylum in the UK. One mother, a teenager from the Democratic Republic of Congo with twin boys discusses, through an interpreter, her experience of becoming a mother. The aim of the film is to give these women a voice and to provide a forum where they can be heard.
Running time 30 minutes.
more info
This film is available for borrowing from REAP.
INFO
European Union Grants Directory
The annual "European Union Grants Directory" is available on CD-Rom, or via Internet download, and contains details of over 400 grants available from the European Commission.
The 2008 Directory (128 pages) contains the extracted information from the European Commission?s budget and is presented in an easy to read format, including a comprehensive word search facility.
Grants range from £3,000 and cover a whole range of activities including racism, women?s issues, the environment, child protection, education and training, the disabled, human rights, energy, transport and hundreds of other activities.
more info
An extract of the Directory and details on how to order can be found on our website
http://www.europeangrants.com/dirextract.html