Platforma

For anyone involved in refugee-related arts, the Platforma project is worth exploring. There’s a website where artists and organisations can upload work and connect with others around the country.

In November-December 2011 there was also a very lively and wide-ranging Festival, which took place in East London at Rich Mix and Rochelle School. Click here to read the report.

You can also click here for the interviews which we carried out with participants. These are available to download and share on not-for-profit radio programmes.

Radio 1812 for International Migrants Day

Radio 1812 is a global radio marathon which takes place each year on International Migrants Day on December 18th. The project is led by the Brussels-based NGO December 18.

Check out the main Radio 1812 website here or click here for links to contributors and contributions from around the UK.

Refugee Week Radio

Lots going on this week for Refugee Week 2011 – community radio stations all over the country are taking part in some way – see them listed on the Refugee Week Radio website here.

Refugee Week Radio is a project which I’ve been running for six years now – it’s great to have an endorsement from the Community Media Association.

Refugee Week conference 2010

Last week (Friday 22nd January) I was at the Refugee Week conference, held at Amnesty International’s London headquarters in London. It was an excellent day – some inspiring speakers and lots of good networking.

Refugee Week is a UK-wide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, and encourages a better understanding between communities. Refugee Week 2010 takes place from 14 to 20 June.

Refugee Week itself has been running since 1998 and is going from strength to strength. There is now also an ongoing linked campaign called Simple Acts, which has really taken off.

For the past four years London Link Radio has been co-ordinating Refugee Week Radio – this is independent but endorsed by Refugee Week, and aims to provide a focal point for community stations and groups around the country to publicise and link their Refugee Week coverage, plus an opportunity for London-based trainees and volunteers to take part.

At the conference, as part of the workshop on media coverage, I gave a brief guide to community media including lots of examples. It’s by no means exhaustive – if any station or group would like to add something about their Refugee Week coverage (previous or planned), just let me know and we’ll add a link to the website.