Refugee Week is a UK-wide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK and encourage a better understanding between communities.

Every year, hundreds of events are organised aiming to counter fear, ignorance and negative stereotypes, exploring the contributions that refugees give to the UK and the reasons why they seek sanctuary in the first place.

Events this year, taking place between 14th – 20th June, include a British Citizenship Test Competition, the World Refugee Day Umbrella Parade and the Alternative World Cup Football; a five-a-side tournament bringing together players of refugee and non-refugee backgrounds.

The main theme this year is ‘Simple Acts’, consisting of twenty everyday actions that can be done by anyone, such as cooking a dish from another country, giving someone a book about refugees and fact-finding about refugees.

These ‘Simple Acts’ may sound insignificant, but the campaign hopes they will encourage greater understanding of refugees and the breaking down of barriers within communities.

Refugee Week is a multi-agency project, including the Refugee Council, Amnesty International and the Children’s Society, amongst others.

For more information on the programme of events in Leicester during Refugee Week 2010 visit www.hatnews.org