‘Two Truths And A Lie’ Campaign Launches To Shine A Light On The Contributions Of Refugees

15.11.2022 

• Latest figures from UNHCR estimate that there are now more than 103 million forcibly displaced people around the world
• Four in five (80%) Britons believe people should be able to take refuge in other countries, including Great Britain, to escape war or persecution
• 55% of Brits agree that refugees make a positive contribution to Britain
• UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s UK charity, takes a twist on the popular icebreaker quiz ‘Two Truths and A Lie’ to highlight the contributions refugees have made to British society and to reflect the solidarity the public has shown towards people fleeing conflict and persecution this year
• The online quiz sees TV personalities Angela Barnes, Ed Petrie, Esther Manito and Glenn Moore posing questions to test your knowledge on everything from sporting stars to popular food dishes and inventors

As the latest figures from UNHCR estimate that there are now more than 103 million forcibly displaced people around the world, UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s UK charity, is launching a new campaign to highlight the wide range of contributions refugees have made to British society, and to reflect the solidarity the public has shown towards people fleeing conflict and persecution this year. 

The campaign, Two Truths and Lie, launches today with support from TV personalities including Angela Barnes (a regular face on Mock the Week), Ed Petrie (star of CBBC’s RTS nominated show All Over the Place), Esther Manito (from ITV2’s Stand Up Sketch Show) and Glenn Moore (renowned for his critically acclaimed stand-up show Glenn, Glenn, Glenn, How Do You Like It).  

With a new twist on the popular icebreaker quiz of the same name, the Two Truths and Lie campaign aims to surprise and inform more people about the positive impact refugees, and those who were forced to flee their homes, have on communities, society and culture. 

The campaign centres on an online quiz in which the four comedians act as virtual quiz hosts, asking questions on topics ranging from literature and politics to food and sport. The charity hopes the quiz will not only test the public’s general knowledge, but also encourage people to look past stereotypes and learn more about the refugee cause. 

This year, the war in Ukraine and other global crises have forced millions of people to flee their homes to find safety. Mirroring the UK’s history as a place of refuge, an Ipsos 2022 survey found that four in five (80%) Britons believe people should be able to take refuge in other countries, including Great Britain, to escape war or persecution. Additionally, the survey, which was conducted online among British adults aged 16-74, found that 55 per cent of Brits agree that refugees make a positive contribution to Britain.  

Comedian, actor and presenter Ed Petrie said: “UNHCR is one of my favourite causes to get involved in. I saw their work first hand filming in Eastern Europe during the Syrian refugee crisis and I think they’re one of the most important charities out there.” 

Emma Cherniavsky, Chief Executive of UK for UNHCR, whose grandfather was a refugee from the Pale of Settlement, says: “So much of what we love in Britain, we owe to refugees: popular songs, iconic architecture, famous high street stores, even our Friday night staple of fish and chips.  

“But refugees don’t have to invent the next big thing to have a significant impact in our lives, we believe our society is richer for welcoming refugees as our friends and neighbours. We’re asking everyone who agrees with us to share our campaign and spread the word. This winter, refugees around the world need your support more than ever.”  

The survey also found that one in three (37%) Brits said they had taken at least one action to support refugees in the past year7, so the charity is encouraging everyone to take the Two Truths and a Lie quiz at www.unrefugees.org.uk/TwoTruths 

People can find out more about the campaign at: www.unrefugees.org.uk/ColdTruth  

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Notes to Editors:  

For more information: 

[email protected] 

Survey data: 

Unless stated otherwise, all figures are taken from the results of a survey conducted by Ipsos on its Global Advisor online platform. Ipsos interviewed 1,000 adults aged 16-74 in Great Britain between April 22nd and May 6th, 2022. The sample can be taken as representative of the general adult population under the age of 75.  

For more information, please see www.unrefugees.org.uk/the-cold-truth-statistics/   

About UK for UNHCR 

UK for UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity partner for the UK. We build solidarity, create partnerships and raise funds across the UK to help deliver global humanitarian relief for refugees through UNHCR’s work. www.unrefugees.org.uk  

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. It delivers lifesaving assistance like shelter, food and water, helps safeguard fundamental human rights, and develops solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future. UNHCR also works to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality. www.unhcr.org  

UK for UNHCR is a registered charity in England and Wales (registered charity number 1183415).