about
What
Refugee Realities is a project designed to educate the Australian public about the rights of people affected by crisis and conflict, and the experiences of refugees around the world. The project aims to creatively engage and inspire active citizens and communities on issues of refugee rights, conflict and humanitarian relief. The project will also encourage and celebrate strong Australian Government accountability towards protecting and assisting the wellbeing and rights of people in humanitarian crises around the world, including refugees and asylum seekers in Australia.
Why
There are many reasons why the Refugee Realities Project is needed in Australia. Firstly, there is a lack of awareness and empathy for the experiences faced by people affected by humanitarian crises. This leads to apathy in the Australian community and a consequent failure to hold governments and international organisations to account for their humanitarian policies and practice. Also, uninformed attitudes and beliefs undermine the potential for strong relationships between resettled refugees and the broader population.
In contrast, when citizens and their communities are aware and actively engaged in humanitarian issues, they are remarkably effective at promoting the rights of people affected by crisis including asylum seekers and resettled refugees. Such communities are not motivated by self interest but a desire to connect to the world around them.
Oxfams vision is of a world where active citizens, and governments, can improve the lives of refugees and other people in crisis.