Media release
UK for UNHCR launches ‘The Refugee Dictionary’ campaign to mark the 70th anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention
- Susie Dent helps launch call for contributions to new dictionary defining the word “refugee” through personal stories
- Actor David Morrissey, Professor Helen Storey, first female Syrian refugee pilot Maya Ghazal amongst first to submit definitions and join campaign
- Imagery, interviews and case studies available
11 June 2021. UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s UK charity, was joined today by the nation’s favourite wordsmith Susie Dent to launch an important new campaign asking Britons to help compile a dictionary that will define only one word – “refugee” – but in thousands of different personal, emotive and thought-provoking ways.
The project will mark the 70th Anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention on 28 July, which first defined who a refugee is in law and set out the human rights of women, men and children fleeing the horrors of war and persecution to seek safety in another country.
Since then, the word refugee has taken on countless personal meanings, so “The Refugee Dictionary” aims to remind us of the rich tapestry of stories and futures made possible because of this significant human rights convention and celebrate the UK’s proud tradition of giving refuge by inviting the public to join in. It is hoped the project will bring thousands of new meanings to the word and highlight that refugees aren’t confined or defined by one word but are individuals with myriad rich stories, hopes and lives.
UK for UNHCR is encouraging everyone to take part, from those who have sought refuge in the UK or people whose family members were refugees, to those who simply want to celebrate the positive role of refugees in their communities and to the country.
Launching the campaign, Susie Dent said, “Your definition will be yours alone, born of your own experience. It might be ‘A grandfather with a wicked sense of humour, who told a great bedtime story’ or ‘A wonderful friend who misses the scent of jasmine flowers.’ This is about focusing on personal stories. We can’t wait to read the varied and wonderful contributions. My definition is: “A refugee is the mother who sees her child find their smile again, free of turmoil, full of hope.”
The campaign has already garnered support from Lord Alf Dubs, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and actor David Morrissey, artist Professor Helen Storey, and the first female Syrian refugee pilot and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Maya Ghazal. All have shared their definitions, ready to appear in the final book on July 28th. Tanya Burr, actress and influencer who has been supporting UNHCR since 2019 has also added her definition, saying: “A refugee is a peacefully sleeping child in a safe place.”
These will sit in “The Refugee Dictionary” alongside other submissions, including that of UK for UNHCR Trustee Mevan Babakar who was a refugee for five years after fleeing the Gulf war in the 1990s with her parents, before eventually settling in London. She says “A refugee is holding onto the idea that even in the darkest of times there will always be shining acts of kindness”.
Also set to feature are the words of refugee students helped into tertiary education by UNHCR and its partners, with definitions including: “A refugee is a well spiced dish that can impress the world”; “A refugee is a good teacher, like a candle that consumes itself to light the way for others” and “A refugee is a trans man who simply enjoys the little things this life has to offer such as flowers and scents.”
For the last 70 years, the UN Refugee Convention has helped to protect the millions of vulnerable people forced to flee their homes. Countries that have signed up to the Convention agree to protect refugees, but also to provide them with a series of rights including the right to work, to education and to a home, making a huge difference and allowing individuals and families to build a future.
Emma Cherniavsky, CEO, UK for UNHCR, says, “The UK has a centuries long tradition of providing refuge and helped to convene and launch the 1951 Refugee Convention. We hope this campaign will act as a reminder of not only the importance of supporting refugees and their rights, but also of what a positive impact refugees have made in our lives and in the history and fabric of our country. This project reaches beyond just one word to explore the countless stories of survival, hope and new beginnings made possible thanks to the original legal definition of a refugee.”
The final Refugee Dictionary will be unveiled to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention on the 28 July 2021.
To find out more about the campaign, share your contribution (by July 5th) in the format “A refugee is…” or to find out more about supporting UK for UNHCR, visit www.unrefugees.org.uk/refugeedictionary
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For more information:
[email protected] Sara Guy, PR Manager, UK for UNHCR
About UK for UNHCR
UK for UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity partner for the UK, building solidarity and raising funds to protect refugees worldwide through UNHCR’s work.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. Thanks to voluntary contributions from our UK supporters and partnerships, UNHCR teams can deliver life-saving assistance like shelter, food and water, help safeguard fundamental human rights, and 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.
UK for UNHCR is a registered charity in England and Wales (registered charity number 1183415). Learn more at www.unrefugees.org.uk
Notes to Editors
Who is a refugee?
Article 1 of the Convention defines a refugee as a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution.