Greetings …

Most people in the world, myself included, end up leaving the place where they grew up, maybe moving to a new town to study, work or settle.  Yet for some, moving way from their home is not really a choice, with many finding it too difficult or dangerous to stay in their own countries for may reasons – violence, war, hunger, extreme poverty, because of their sexual or gender orientation, or from the consequences of climate change or other natureal disasters.

Refugee and asylum seeker are two words that we use to describe these people who are on the move; those who have left their countries and crossed borders.  We often use them interchangeably, but there is a legal difference.

A refugee is a person who has fled their own country because they are at risk of serious human rights violations and persecution there. The risks to their safety and life were so great that they felt they had no choice but to leave and seek safety outside their country because their own government cannot or will not protect them from those dangers. Refugees have a right to international protection.

An asylum seeker is a person who has left their country and is seeking protection from persecution and serious human rights violations in another country, but who hasn’t yet been legally recognized as a refugee and is waiting to receive a decision on their asylum claim. Seeking asylum is a human right. This means everyone should be allowed to enter another country to seek asylum.

The Uniting Asylum Seeker Welcome Centre, located in Brunswick, is a safe and welcoming community space for people seeking asylum in Melbourne.  There are many different activities which help people settle and find their feet.  To donate to this valuable work, and to find out more, you can visit their website by clicking here:- https://www.unitingvictas.org.au/services/multicultural-services/social-support-inclusion/asylum-seeker-welcome-centre/

Blessings – Heather (she/her).