Stand as One in Swansea
Schools Briefing

Oxfam Cymru invites Swansea schools to participate in Stand as One refugees rally in Swansea
The details
Oxfam Cymru and other refugee supporting organisations in Wales are organising a rally in Swansea to celebrate the contribution of all refugees and asylum seekers in Wales.

It will take place in Castle Square, Central Swansea[Exact location TBC]on Saturday 17th September 2016 from 10.30am – 12.30pm.

Why are Oxfam doing this?

Last September, the image of three year old Aylan Kurdi’s body on a Turkish beach horrified the world.Thousands marched in Cardiff and London in response to tell our governments that we want to welcome refugees in the UK, and to stop the drowning.

Since then, thousands more terrified and desperate refugees, including hundreds of children, have lost their lives trying to reach safety in Europe. Now, one year on, two major summits on the refugee crisis are being held in New York (19th and 20th September).

That’s why we’re appealing to the public to join us this summer to stand as one with people who are forced to flee and together demand that governments play their fair part in tackling the refugee crisis.

On Saturday 17th September there will be a “Refugees March” in London. The Stand As One rally in Swanseawill be the main event in Wales to raise awareness ahead of the summits.

How can my school get involved?
We would love local schools to get involved and be part of our Stand as One rally.

Did you know that the 2016 Children’s Word of the Year is Refugee?

To get involved we are encouraging schools to learn about the refugee crisis,before coming up with their own message to share at the rally.

There are a number of fantastic resources available to help schools learn about the refugee crisis:

  • Oxfam’s Schools of Sanctuary: Giving a Warm Welcome resource, which encourages young people to initiate their schools becoming a School of Sanctuary: It is also available in Welsh:
  • Another great creative resource by Oxfam, called Message in a Book: People Forces to Flee. This resource is designed to stimulate debate and develop learners’ knowledge of the Crisis:
  • Article that was published in The Guardian last year which look at the different ways to teach students about refugees:

What do we do next?

Having done the learning, we would like each school to come up with a message to share with the audience at the rally, ahead of the two summits.

You can create, demonstrate and share your message in any way you like. You might like to create a colourful banner with you message written on it; you could compose a song, or write a poem. It’s completely up to you.

Then, please choose a representativeor representatives from the school to share that message on the day. Please note that the event takes place on a Saturday, so a teacher and/or parent will need to attend with the school’s chosen representative. An Oxfam Cymru staff member with an enhanced DBS check will be there on the day too to help with coordinating etc.

If your school wants to take part please let us know by Tuesday 19th July.

Safeguarding

Permission will be needed from the parents/guardians of the children/young people taking part in the Stand as One rally in Swansea on 17th September. We will not need permission from everyone taking part in the activity at your school.

The children/young people taking part in the Stand As One rally in Swansea on the 17thare likely to be named and photographed, and these pictures may be used in the media and future campaigning work (e.g. on social media or on print materials).

We have attached Oxfam’s permission form. You will need to ensure that this is filled in by the parents/ guardians of the children/young people taking part in the Stand as One rally in Swansea on 17th September, and send a copy to Oxfam Cymru, either via email or send in the post: Oxfam Cymru, 5/7 St Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1AT.
We will also complete a full risk assessment for the children/young people ahead of the event.

Contact details
For more information or if you have any questions please feel free to contact Vicky, Matt, Hayley or Rachel at the Campaigns team at Oxfam Cymru on 0300 200 1269 / .