Refugee Week 2014 at SSI

 In Hurstville on Thursday, June 19, SSI’s Haitham Subhi will be a guest speaker at Refugee Week celebration presented by Hurstville City Council and St George Local Area Command. An SSI client has also been invited to share their experience after arriving in Australia and how settlement services have helped to achieve their goals.

 SSI case managers and clients will also be participating in the Fairfield Refugee Week Festival, 10am to 2pm on Saturday June 21 at Fairfield High School, the Horsley Drive, Fairfield.  The event includes free entertainment and activities of appeal to all ages including an 8-a-side soccer competition, cultural performances and costume displays, free BBQ and low cost food stalls. Entry to the Festival is free. All welcome.

The Power of Storytelling is the second of SSI’s Speaker’s Series and is being held during Refugee Week.

The event will discuss the role of storytelling in creating awareness about the refugee and asylum seeker experience.

Speakers include award-winning writer Rosie Scott, Sri Lankan-born playwright and theatre director Dhananjaya Karunarathne and SSI client Saleh Khani. 

Many refugees and asylum seekers have compelling stories to tell and crave to be listened.  However many have reasons for wanting to remain quiet, fearing further persecution to their families or in the case of asylum seekers,  negative impact on their applications for refugee status.

How can refugees and asylum seekers share their stories so that they feel safe, understood and respected?

How can we reach audiences who should be listening to these stories?

How storytelling help create greater understanding on issues faced by refugees and asylum seekers?

Join us for  The Power of Storytelling, a timely discussion about the role that storytelling plays in giving voice to refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia.

Date: Tuesday June 17 (Refugee Week) 
Time: 6-7:30pm

Booking is essential:  To register go to: http://speakerseriesstorytelling.eventbrite.com.au

Admission is by gold coin donation at the door.