Every year STARTTS, in conjunction with the Refugee Council of Australia and the Australian Refugee Film Festival, organises the Launch of Refugee Week – the week surrounding World Refugee Day on June 20. The event aims to highlight the importance of refugee issues and celebrate the resilience, talents and achievements of refugees in NSW.
Refugee Week is a chance to draw attention to refugee issues and to promote respect toward the refugee population, and most of all to celebrate the many amazing contributions that refugees make to Australian society.
At the Launch of Refugee Week 2013 we will be showcasing some of these contributions, from beautiful works of art by refugees, incredible performances, inspiring films and by presenting awards to some of the people who are making the biggest difference to refugee issues in NSW.
Join us and be inspired.
The Exhibition commemorates the life and works of Dario Palermo, refugee from South America and founder of the exhibition, and continues his legacy to support future development of refugee artists.
The Exhibition invites the community to share in the experiences and achievements of refugees, celebrating their strength and contribution within the community through diverse and creative artistic expression.
In 2012 the exhibition chronicled 30 years of artistic work by refugees, starting with those who escaped South America in the 1980s through to more recent arrivals, including artists currently in detention. 21 artists from a range of backgrounds participated in the exhibition.
In 2013 we will be exhibiting work from exciting new refugee artists, as well as new work by some of our regular contributors.
Artwork by Aghnar Niazi
Click image for larger version.
Each year, as part of Refugee Week, the Humanitarian Awards are held as an opportunity to acknowledge and thank those who have made an outstanding positive contribution towards refugee issues in NSW.
The Humanitarian Awards also provide a chance to further promote the hard work and achievements of both individuals and organisations in various fields that play a substantial role in improving the lives of refugees.
At the Launch of Refugee Week we will be presenting awards to 10 people who are making the most outstanding contributions to refugee issues in NSW.
2012 Humanitarian Award winners
The Australian Refugee Film Festival aims to facilitate the rehabilitation of trauma survivors through creative arts and film projects and to generate awareness of local and international issues related to human rights and refugees. Every year ARFF receives submissions from around the globe from film-makers wanting to highlight the situation of refugees.
A selection of these films – some inspiring, some challenging – will be shown at the Launch of Refugee Week. Find out more at www.australianrefugeefilmfestival.org
For more info about Refugee Week and World Refugee Day visit the Refugee Week website (run by the Refugee Council of Australia)
Street Address
152 - 168 The Horsley Drive,
Carramar NSW 2163
