Lizzie’s experience with STAR- Student Action for Refugees

Leeds University hosts a society of Student Action for Refugees (STAR), a nationwide network of student groups campaigning for refugees and asylum seekers. Funded by various grants and donations, STAR runs projects such as the Bike Project, in which they fix broken bikes to give to the refugee and asylum community, as well as campaigning to raise awareness. The biggest project in Leeds is their Common Conversation classes with asylum seekers and refugees, which one of our Press Gang members Lizzie Scourfield attended to get a greater insight into their work. In her article Lizzie discusses how “Societies like STAR are a fantastic example of projects that work both to integrate and support the refugee and asylum community.” Lizzie expressed that after her excellent experience she would highly recommend any student to get involved. To read more about what Lizzie did with STAR and the friends she made check out the link below to Press Gangs Winter Newsletter: http://lassn.org.uk/one-planet-leeds/

Book Reviews, By Peter Richardson

Read some very interesting book reviews written by Peter Richardson, Director at LASSN. Peter discusses two very different books on the topic of asylum seekers and refugees; a children’s book that Peter describes as a “fantastically simple read that does not dwell on the difficulties or horrors of asylum seekers.” As well as an academic book, that presented some extremely interesting and unique views with regards to “refugees’ experience of volunteering, and how this has not always resulted in beneficial outcomes.”

To read Peter’s book reviews in full visit the Press Gang Winter Magazine at: http://lassn.org.uk/one-planet-leeds/

Award winning children's book

The Unforgotten Coat – By Frank Cottrell Boyce

Refugees, Capitalism and the British State: Implications for social workers, volunteers and activists - By Tom Vickers

Leveson inquiry - concerns about reporting of ethnic minorities, immigrants and asylum seekers

A few quotes from the report published today:

"When assessed as a whole, the evidence of discriminatory, sensational or unbalanced reporting in relation to ethnic minorities, immigrants and/or asylum seekers, is concerning."

"[The conclusion that] Muslims, migrants, asylum seekers and gypsies/travellers ... targets of press hostility and/or xenophobia in the press, was supported by the evidence seen by the Inquiry."

"...some newspapers expressed a consistently clear view on the harm caused by migrants and/or asylum seekers (often conflating the two) and ensured that any coverage of the issue fit within that narrative."

"It is important to reiterate that the evidence was not all bad: there were many examples of titles with responsible and positive reporting on these issues, and even within the section of the press identified for criticism, there was evidence showing a complicated picture."

Judge for yourself by reading the section on ethnic minorities, immigrants and asylum seekers here http://www.ein.org.uk/news/leveson-report-finds-sensational-or-unbalanced-reporting-relation-immigrants-and-asylum-seekers

Or read the 1,000 page report here: http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc1213/hc07/0780/0780_ii.pdf

Happy story to end your week.

Below is a link to a really nice and happy story to give you a smile at the end of your week.

It seemed truly miraculous and a really lovely life story not often heard in the news:

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/asylum/reunited-two-year-old-son-they-thought-had-perished/20121026

Join the new "Our Day" Campaign?

Link Below:
http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=d9e512af0e78ae1205ef2bef5&id=4d7639198d&e=a7fe004d1d

What do you think?

Below is a link to an interesting article I was interested what our readers think:

•  How important is langauge and terms when immigrants are discussed in the media?
• Will these terms every change? 
• How do they influence stereotypes?

http://en.ria.ru/world/20121019/176736839.html

Have a read and comment what you think?

Jess