As we celebrate Refugee Week around the world on 15-21 June, it’s important to take time to remember the individual stories of refugees who have left their countries due to persecution and fear. 

When Europe was still recovering from the devastation of World War II, Australia responded to an international call to offer a future to people with nowhere to call home.  Since that initial agreement in 1947 to receive 4,000 refugees from Central Europe, Australia has issued one million permanent visas. We have welcomed people from all parts of the globe, people who have helped build a multicultural and successful Australia.

There are stories everywhere if you take time to look for them or to speak to people about their lives.

On my website I have a small selection of the many stories I have written over the years about refugees. The quotes below are from those stories.

Australia is my home now, not Sudan. Everything is normal here. People don’t have guns pointing at you and your family. I feel safe – Amina from Sudan

Afghanistan is our past. We have a refugee story as well as a history and culture that remains important to us, but we are working hard to build a better future in Australia. This is our home now. – Farid and Fauzia, now proud Australians

As we celebrate this milestone of welcoming a million refugees, we also must ask ourselves about the future. As we know, there is a rise in anti-immigration rhetoric which is spreading racist, far-right misinformation that we need to correct. We need to keep sharing stories, challenging stereotypes, and building a more inclusive society.

In Australia, Refugee Week activities are led by the Refugee Council of Australia. Find out more and get involved in your local activities here.