Hong Kong NGOs are encouraging people to be more compassionate ahead of Refugee Week, an annual, worldwide event recognising the contributions, creativity, and resilience of refugees and asylum seekers.
Though called Refugee Week, events will be held throughout June, including a multi-course vegetarian dinner, film screening, art exhibition, and a zine workshop.
All this has been made possible thanks to a collaboration between various local non-profit organisations and independent projects, including Grassroots Future, UNHCR Hong Kong, Justice Centre Hong Kong, and Run Hong Kong.
Take a look at what’s happening this year:
The NGO working on behalf of Hong Kong’s refugee population
What’s new this year?
This is the second year Refugee Week is being held in Hong Kong, and there are more events to check out and more NGOs collaborating than last year. Asylum seekers were also more involved in curating this year’s events.
“We have nine happenings around town and eight NGOs and independent organisers developing programming. We had a fashion show and have expanded live performances and experiential dinners this year,” said Tegan Smyth, the founder of Grassroots Future, a Hong Kong non-profit organisation working to empower the city’s asylum seekers.
This year Refugee Week has already exhibited the artistic talent of refugees and asylum seekers through WRD 2023: City Canvas Project, organised by UNHCR HK. The project features murals illustrating refugees’ personal journeys and can be found throughout the month in Wan Chai and Yau Tsim Mong district.
RUN Hong Kong also held a fashion show last Wednesday, showcasing colourful handmade clothing designed and made by RUN refugee and asylum seeker women as part of the organisation’s education programme.
A model walks down the runway at Run Hong Kong’s fashion show. Photo: Run Hong Kong
Compassion and community
The theme for this year is compassion, chosen by organisers in the UK to commemorate 25 years of Refugee Week and combat local anti-migrant narratives in Britain.
Keeping this emphasis in mind, Smyth said organisers wanted to focus on community-building events and creating shared spaces.
“We’re hoping this is a broader call to action that goes beyond merely raising awareness and gives members of the refugee community a space to showcase their talents this June in a meaningful way,” she said.
A few events coming up this month include:
Taste From (my) Home (June 16 – 17)
A multi-course vegetarian dinner cultivated by three cooks from the refugee community, local food experience designer Alison Tan and HK-based Ukrainian business Ivan The Kozak. This intimate experience explores the questions of home, belonging and who we are.
WRD 2023: The 16th Charity Refugee Film Festival (June 16 – July 10)
An online event consisting of movies and film shorts selected by UNCHR highlighting the importance of inclusion and finding solutions for refugees. The festival raises funds for the organisation’s scholarship programme.
Refugee Connect, founded by a Hong Kong teen, hosts workshops for asylum seekers
Zine Workshop (June 20)
A free, child-friendly event at Africa Center that teaches participants how to create a zine – a small, self-published magazine – using recycled materials. There will also be a discussion facilitated by Grassroots Future and Blobs and Brushes, a community art project focused on socially marginalised communities.
Celebrating Dignity in Action (June 25)
A cultural extravaganza at the PMQ courtyard in Sheung Wan featuring live performances like dancing, drumming, music, and a cultural diversity fashion show.
You can find more activities and stay updated by following Refugee Week HK and Grassroots Future on Instagram.
