HOST Nottingham

Refugee Week has been and gone for another year. Celebrating the contributions of refugee's in the UK and across the world, Refugee Week also aims to highlight the precarious position which refugees and asylum seekers face everyday. Stories are often conflated and marred by inaccurate press coverage, creating a bad name for those who are seeking sanctuary from war and violence. One of the most rewarding elements of Refugee Week as a whole is the chance to challenge the unfounded beliefs that refugees and asylum seekers are scroungers. This year HOST attempted to diminish the perception of this often stigmatised group through opening a Human Library for one day only. The idea of a human library started in  Denmark  in 1993 to challenge people's prejudice by raising awareness through peer group education, to mobilise people against violence. Just like a real library, the only difference at a human library is the books are people who share their stories with others. The Refuge

Another Refugee Week has flown by and what a week it has been. Filled to the brim with great events from a number of topical films, a wonderful RefuTEA and an informative evening on detention but it not over yet! Monday 24th June will see our own event, we have organised with the Nottingham Library. The HUMAN LIBRARY will open its doors between 12.00 and 2.00pm. Exactly like a normal library the only difference is the books are human beings, and the Books and Readers enter into a conversation. The Living Books project enable people to speak and find out more about someone else who you may not normally get a chance to speak to. The purpose of the project is to promote awareness and understanding of people different from our selves and what it is like to be an asylum seeker in Nottingham escaping from violence and persecution. Don't forget to check out our full website at: http://hostnottingham.weebly.com/index.html