Wales urged to welcome refugees
18/6/2007

[color="navy"]People across Wales should work together to help integrate refugees and asylum seekers successfully into Welsh communities, [color="navy"]Minister for Equalities Jane Hutt said today.

The Minister said refugees have a long and successful history of making an enormous economic and cultural contribution to the new communities where they settle.

Ms Hutt was speaking at the Celebrating Sanctuary music and dance festival, a special event held in Cardiff Bay to mark the launch of Refugee Week 2007.

[color="navy"]Refugee Week Wales celebrates the contribution made by refugees to life in Wales and the UK, and promotes understanding of why people become refugees. Celebrating Sanctuary is one of many arts, cultural and educational events organised for across Wales and the UK.

Jane Hutt said:

"[color="Navy"]Wales is a multi-cultural, multi-faith country which has welcomed people from all over the world particularly those who have sought sanctuary. Refugee Week in Wales is a wonderful way of raising awareness of the issues many refugees who come to Wales face.

"The range of cultural and educational events that take place across Wales during the week also provide an opportunity for us all to experience and celebrate the rich diversity of refugee communities through theatre, music, dance, film and other areas."

Refugee Week is an annual event organised by a partnership of agencies including: Communities First, BVSNW, DPIA, Oxfam Cymru, Save the Children Cymru, Refugee Voice Wales, Welsh Assembly Government, Consortium for Refugees and Asylum Seekers and the Welsh Refugee Council.

The Minister launched Refugee Week Wales at the Celebrating Sanctuary music festival on Sunday at the Red Dragon Centre in Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff Bay.

http://www.newswales.co.uk/?section=Community&F=1&id=11614

Why UK government so political correct?