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A right to a voice
Survival English for Asylum Seekers
| Date: | Wednesday 10 December 2008 |
| Venue: | London Irish Centre, 50 – 52 Camden Square, London NW1 9XB |
| Ref: | C1750 |
| Fee*: | Free (includes lunch, tea/coffee); |
[Background] [Aim] [Audience] [Programme] [Application Form]
Background
On 10th December 1948, in the wake of the Second World War, the Government signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which recognised education as a universal right of men and women, whatever their nationality, race or circumstances.
In 2007, the Government changed the rules regarding learners’ access to ESOL provision and shockingly asylum seekers were denied access to this essential support during the first six months of their application for asylum. During the Government’s consultation on ESOL and community cohesion during the period January to April 2008, an overwhelming body of evidence was offered from asylum seekers and made clear how important language was to them. NIACE is determined that this vulnerable group of people should have access to the essential languages skills that they need when they first arrive in the UK. Substantial research evidence shows that language is the key to social integration for newcomers to Britain and also leads to employment giving newcomers an opportunity to contribute to the economy.
Research also shows that those learners who are able to access language provision from day one are more likely to learn the language successfully than those who are denied access. The asylum seekers who are prevented from learning are more likely to network solely in their own community, develop strategies for coping without English language and are less likely to integrate with the host community.
The obligations freely entered into in 1948 were made by Government on behalf of the British people. NIACE believes that where Government fails to fulfil its obligations, civil society needs to act – firstly to secure support for people at a time of acute vulnerability, secondly to advocate change in public policy.
‘A right to a voice’
As a result this conference launches the NIACE campaign ‘A right to a
voice’. We call on a wide range of organisations and individuals to support
asylum seekers in the first six months in the UK and offer them ‘survival
English’ within a ‘Welcome to Britain’ programme of support. This will include
getting to know your local area, accessing essential local services and some
basic first aid English. A right to a voice: Survival English for Asylum Seekers
2 Volunteers from community groups, faith groups and the wider community are
asked to join us in this challenging initiative to raise awareness of the needs
of asylum seekers and to put right a social injustice.
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Aim
This conference aims to:
 | Raise awareness of the needs of asylum seekers |
| Engage with the voluntary sector, refugee and community organisations and faith community organisations |
| Plan action to set up survival English groups. |
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Audience
| Volunteers |
| Voluntary and Community Sector organisations |
| Faith groups |
| ESOL practitioners |
| Trade unionists |
| Refugee and community organisations |
| Concerned citizens. |
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What will participants get out of attending this conference
| Participants will get increased knowledge of the needs of asylum seekers |
| Increased knowledge of the value of English language from day one |
| The opportunity to participate in the project in London |
| The opportunity to support the campaign nationally. |
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How might participants put what they’ve learnt into practice once they return to their organisations
| Raise awareness of the needs of asylum seekers in their organisation |
| Raise awareness of the importance of English language for asylum seekers |
| Disseminate information about this new project |
| Recruit volunteers to facilitate groups of asylum seekers in a ‘Welcome to Britain’ support programme. |
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Programme
| 09:45 | Arrival and registration (tea/coffee available) |
| 10:00 | Welcome and introduction to the
day from the Chair Alan Tuckett, Director, NIACE |
| 10:30 | Keynote address Donna Covey, Chief Executive, Refugee Council |
| 11:00 | Keynote address Chris Taylor, Development Officer, NIACE |
| 11:20 | Small group discussions and action planning |
| 12.00 | Tea/coffee break |
| 12.20 | Feedback from discussions |
| 12.55 | Lunch |
| 14.00 | Learners’ Voices |
| 14.45 | Closing remarks from the Chair |
| 15.15 | Close of conference (tea/coffee available) |
This programme is correct at the time of going to press. The organisers reserve the right to make changes to the published programme in the event of one or more of the advertised speakers being unable to attend. Delegates will have no claim against NIACE in respect of such changes.
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Application Form
(This form is for people not using the online reservation system above.)
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[FULL] Tip: to save toner, don't print the cover page |
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When you have printed out the Application Form, please complete the relevant sections on pages 7 & 8 and post them along with your purchase order (1) and/or cheque to: Gurjit Kaur, NIACE, 20 Princess Road West, Leicester, LE1 6TP or Fax it on 0116 254 8368. Please retain pages numbered 2 -6 for your information. For further information (or if you would like to be sent a paper version of the application form) please contact Gurjit Kaur, Tel: 0116 204 2833, email: gurjit.kaur@niace.org.uk stating your full postal address. (1) Application Forms from individuals must be
accompanied by a Sterling cheque or Banker's draft. Invoices will be raised on
organisations only if a Purchase Order is sent along with the Application Form.
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