This event is a partnership between VNET, Asylum Speakers, Day of Welcome and Amnesty International.

Asylum Speakers is a media platform amplifying the voices of those impacted by forced displacement. In this session, we will hear from founder Jaz O’Hara, and Giel, a South Sudanese speaker and advocate for refugee rights. Giel’s work is powered by his own story of crossing land and sea to make it to safety aged just 16. Overcoming huge adversity, Giel’s courage and bravery saw him overcome all odds to arrive in the UK, where he is now a student and a model.

This motivational session will challenge the fear-based narrative around migration and leave your pupils inspired and empowered with some practical ideas of how they can build a more welcoming community in their setting.

This event is designed for pupil voice groups at secondary schools in the UK and is a collaboration between VNET, Amnesty International, Day of Welcome and Asylum Speakers.

After the webcast, pupils will be invited to plan how their school should mark A Day of Welcome and Refugee Week in June. They will also be guided to think about how else they might contribute to making their school and community a more welcoming place for families who are seeking sanctuary or who are new to the community.

This book is based on the popular podcast ‘Asylum Speakers’ and is a collection of 31 stories of migration, from those leaving everything they know behind them to those working alongside them.

Here are the voices that often go unheard: the humans behind the statistics and the headlines. From Syria to Venezuela, Eritrea to Afghanistan, Asylum Speakers will transcend borders, nationalities, religions and languages, connecting you to the people with whom we share this world.

Get your copy of the book here
Listen to the podcast on Apple
Listen to the podcast on Spotify

This live event forms part of A Day of Welcome, a day of solidarity and learning in schools that aims to build a culture of welcome and understanding for refugees and asylum seekers. This celebration is designed to support schools and families in marking Refugee Week (16-22 June) and to send a clear message that for those in need of sanctuary, our communities are welcoming places.

By registering to take part in the webcast, you are participating in A Day of Welcome. VNET will share your contact details with the team at A Day of Welcome who will be in touch with further activities and ideas that you could use as a complement to the webcast in order to mark A Day of Welcome and Refugee Week.

Thanks to our partners in this event:

Schools of Sanctuary and Anglia Ruskin University

Asylum Speakers