By Estelle Sanchez and Teagan Laszlo / First published in June 2021

Australia’s Refugee Week, organised by the Refugee Council of Australia, is the annual opportunity to educate the public about refugees and celebrate the positive contributions they make to Australian society. 

Brisbane locals are commemorating the annual 2021 International Refugee Week from Saturday June 20 to Saturday June 26.

Welcoming Australia’s Campaigns and Communication Manager Kate Leaney said Refugee Week is an opportunity to inform everyone about the challenges and experiences refugees face all over the world.

“We’re in a time where more people than ever are being forcibly displaced from their homes, and it is a global responsibility to respond to people seeking safety,” said Ms Leaney.

Department of Multicultural Affairs spokesperson Kelly Daniels said the Queensland Government is committed to supporting refugees as they integrate into Queensland society.

“Under the Queensland Multicultural Policy: Our Story, Our Future, the Queensland Government has made a specific commitment to support refugees and people seeking asylum, including by reducing barriers and creating opportunities for them to participate and contribute to all aspects of life,” said Ms Daniels.

Ms Daniels said the Queensland Government helps fund Communify Queensland’s Asylum Seeker and Refugee Assistance program, which delivers financial and material aid, case management and coordination support to refugees in Queensland.

“Since 2017 the Queensland Government has provided $4.688 million to the ASRA program, with a further commitment from July 2021 of $8.3 million over four years.

“This approach is providing the critical foundational support required so that individuals can move from merely surviving, towards greater independence,” said Ms Daniels.

Brisbane resident Gema came to Australia from Rwanda under humanitarian aid, and with help from Brisbane refugee support organisation Refugee Connect, she settled into Brisbane.

She is now exercising as a social worker with the organisation so she can assist other refugees who experience similar circumstances.

She explains Refugee Connect understood that a refugee is not only looking for a place to settle because of insecurity. It is as important to be able to go out and work and to have this friend who can help them understand the system.

As Gema said, settling into the Brisbane community takes more than just a house, and that’s where local organisations like Refugee Connect are playing a key role.

Refugee Connect founder Ken Myers said the organisation currently supports twelve refugees navigate their new life in Brisbane, whether it is helping them find a job, a home, or book doctor appointments.

He also pioneered the ‘friendship model,’ which encourages volunteers to walk alongside and be a friend to refugees while they integrate into Brisbane society.

As Refugee Connect is a volunteer-based organisation, Mr Myers is adamant their volunteers do not need to be trauma counsellors, social workers or experts but only need to have an open heart.

Emma Gomez, who fled Venezuela with her husband after being persecuted by the nation’s government, understands exactly how challenging and isolating fleeing a country is.

Ms Gomez and her husband arrived in Australia two years ago and with help from Red Cross Australia and Refugee Connect, have integrated into their local community.

“[Refugee Connect] helped me to find a place to live and a job. We met very, very, very special people that are now part of our family,” Ms Gomez said.

“So now we feel settled, and we feel part of this country and we are giving our best to contribute to society,”

Ms Leaney said despite the “divisive and negative” rhetoric surrounding refugees in Australian media and politics, Australians are typically accepting of refugees when they meet them.

“We find that when people are able to connect and see people who are refugees for the common humanity, it changes the game.

“You can have rhetoric and media that says one thing, but when you’re in a community with someone you can see that actually we are all just people trying to call this place home and build community together,”

For more information on Refugee Week events near you, head to Refugee Week’s website – https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/.