Events Diary

List of upcoming events relevant to refugee and migrant worker issues:

Summer 2010

Excellence in equality & diversity: can housing providers improve their service? Date: 8 October 2010. Venue: Cambridge. An event run jointly between CIH Eastern Region & the Equality & Human Rights Commission. This year's theme has been chosen because (i) The Housing Inspectors believe that most housing organisations could do better; (ii) The EHRC intends to promote and enforce high standards in the enactment of the equality legislation (iii) The TSA's new Regulatory Framework (which the Government intends to adopt) has Equality & Diversity as one of its themes. (iv) Large parts of the Equality Act 2010 come into effect in October. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Norwich Mind's diversity team’s annual event - Festival of Cultures 2010 Date: 14 August 2010, 11.30 am- 4 pm. Venue: Norwich Mind, 50 Sale Road, Norwich, NR7 9TP. Cost: FREE. This year’s Festival of Cultures presents a programme of multi–cultural music, dance, performance, workshops, free complementary therapies and food. Enjoy the opportunity to celebrate the linguistic and cultural diversity of the local community!
JOBS: LSC Level 1 & 2 Caseworkers/Paralegals ﾖ Romford & other London offices. Duncan Lewis & Co Solicitors is a legal firm in the south east and a LEXCEL, Gold IIP accredited LSC Category 1 firm. They are seeking to recruit LSC Level 1 & 2 Caseworkers/Paralegals to assist the Immigration department in the expansion of all aspects of Asylum and Immigration Law in all their offices. Anyone interested should submit their CV and covering letter by email to: recruitment@duncanlewis.com or post to: Duncan Lewis & Co Solicitors, Viking House, 17/19 Peterborough Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 2AX.
JOBS: Global English Project Coordinator, Norfolk. 21 hours per week until August 2013. £13,256.88 per annum. The successful candidate will be required to work with 5 Norfolk secondary school English and Citizenship departments to improve speaking and listening skills in Year 10 students through engaging with local and global issues. E: info@nead.org.uk T: 01603 610993. Closing date: Monday 2 August.
Norwich International Community Engagement (NICE) Centre opens. The new centre will officially open on 26 July 2010. It is at 19 Muspole Street, Norwich NR3 1DJ, and is run by Bridge Plus. The venue will be available for other organisations to use to access BME communities, to do consultations, outreach work, training and other events and activities. The venue can accommodate up to 80 people and has catering facilities attached to it. Anyone wanting to book the venue should email office@bridgeplus.org.uk .
Consultation by the Migration Advisory Committee on the level of an annual limit on economic migration to the UK - regional event in the East of England. Date: 17 August 2010. Venue: EELGA, Flempton House, Bury St Edmunds. The Migration Advisory Committee is currently consulting on the level that the first year limit on non-EEA immigrants coming to the UK for work should be set at. To gather feedback from the region, the Strategic Migration Partnership is facilitating a consultation event primarily aimed at all those who employ migrants, but MAC would welcome responses to the questions in the linked document below from anybody with relevant experience of migration issues. If you would like to take part in the event, please email louise.gooch@eelga.gov.uk .
Consultation event on the level of an annual limit on economic migration to the UK in London. Date: 6 Aug 2010; 13:00 - 15:00 or 13 Aug 2010; 13:00 – 15:00. Venue: Home Office, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF. On 28 June the Government launched a consultation on the limits of non-EU economic migration through Tiers 1 and 2 of the Points Based System. It is consulting on how limits should be implemented, including the mechanism for doing so. At the same time, the Government commissioned the MAC to provide advice on the levels at which limits should be set for the first full year of their operation, and in doing so, to consider the social and public service impacts of migration, as well as the economic impacts. The Government has asked the Committee to provide this advice by the end of September. Anyone interested in attending, should email mac@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk , stating a preferred date. Places will be issued on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Protecting Unaccompanied Child Asylum Seekers: improving local provision through multi-agency working - Westminster briefing. Date: 9 September 2010, 10.40am-3.15pm. Venue: The Commonwealth Club, Westminster. Cost: £225 per place or £175 for two or more places. Who should attend? Delegates will be drawn from local authorities, Local Safeguarding Children Boards, UKBA, local refugee co-ordination teams, refugee support services, local refugee offices, early years and children’s and education services, asylum charities, refugee legal service organisations, Sure Start centres, refugee healthcare organisations, police authorities, connexions, charities and academia.
Operation Black Vote seminar – becoming a magistrate. Date: 21 August 2010. Venue: East London. A free one day seminar entitled, ‘A Judiciary for All’ is being organised by Operation Black Vote. The aim of the seminar is to help improve Black and other minority ethnic (BME) representation within the magistracy and increase awareness within BME communities about the work of the courts. Contact Merlene Carrington by telephone on 0208 983 5430 or e-mail: mag@obv.org.uk.
National Inter Faith Week 2010, East of England regional launch, 22 November 2010, Cambridge. The Regional Launch will comprise an afternoon exhibition, awards presentation and networking event, followed by an evening panel debate on science and religion, both at the Shire Hall in Cambridge. If you have information about any events that are planned for Inter Faith Week, send them to the contacts below to enable the event to be publicised on your behalf. East of England Faiths Council St John's Innovation Centre Cowley Road Cambridge CB4 0WS Phone 01223 421606 Fax 01223 421839 eefc@cambcatalyst.co.uk
JOBS: UK international student recruitment officer, International Office, University of Essex, Colchester. The post is for someone who can work as part of the International Office team, with the focus and lead strategic and operational responsibility for the recruitment of international students already in UK schools and colleges at the time of application. The candidate will need to develop the network of relationships with supplier schools and colleges, developing and maintaining relationships with head teachers, careers advisers and other key staff, and making regular visits to present to prospective students. Some overseas promotional visits may be required from time to time. The closing date for applications is 13 August 2010.
Family Planning Association (FPA) training - refugees, asylum seekers and sexual health. Date: 28 September 2010. Venue: London. Cost: £120. This one-day course aims to increase participants’ awareness of asylum seekers’ and refugees’ sexual health information needs and is aimed at anyone who works with asylum seekers. All participants on this course will receive a free copy of Sexual health, asylum seekers and refugees: a handbook for people working with refugees and asylum seekers in England (FPA). Contact: Helen Shipley on 0845 122 8661 or email helens@fpa.org.uk.
Language, Migration & Identity – Conference & Exhibition. Date: 9, 10, 11 July 2010. Venue: University of Surrey, Guildford. NATECLA national conference & exhibition. There will be programme of 40 workshops for both new and experienced practitioners, a resources exhibition, fringe events including a performance by Actors for Refugees, the outreach arm of IceandFire which performs documentary scripts, exploring human rights stories through performance. On Sunday following the final workshop session, Keith Best, Chief Executive of the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture will be talking about the Foundation’s current work and priorities. He will focus on what he perceives to be the key current issues facing refugees and asylum seekers and draw on knowledge from his sixteen years with the Immigration Advisory Service (IAS). To register interest in being a delegate, an exhibitor, workshop leader or sponsor please contact cathyburns02@aol.com or co-ordinator@natecla.fsnet.co.uk
Conference : LGBTI Asylum Seekers and Refugees - A case of double jeopardy? Date: 5 – 7 July 2010. Venue: House of Lords (5^th July), University of Greenwich (6^th-7^th July). This conference presents an opportunity for stakeholders from the academic, public, voluntary and private sectors to discuss and debate issues around asylum seeking resulting from human rights violations based on sexuality and gender identity.
RCOs Round Table Discussion on social enterprise. Date: 13 July 2010. The Refugee Council’s Basis Project, the Development Trust Association and Action Acton will be holding a half day round table event for Refugee Community Organisations (RCOs) with an interest in social enterprise. This event, ‘Exploring Social Enterprise with Leading Social Enterprise Organisations’, provides a unique and interactive opportunity for RCOs to get inspired about Social Enterprise with successful and progressive social enterprise organisations. If you have ever wanted to make the most of your assets as an organisation, earn your own income or make sure your organisation survives difficult times, this intimate meeting could be for you. To find out more please contact david.clark@refugeecouncil.org.uk or call 0207 346 1295.
IAS Conference : The New Immigration Agenda. Date: 21 July 2010, Venue: London South Bank University. The day-long conference will be concentrating on the developments in immigration, asylum and human rights law, policy and practice under the new government. It will also focus on the future of accreditation regulation and possible barriers to access to quality legal advice and representation for migrants and refugees. There will be two keynote speeches and a mixture of plenary sessions and workshops. Please click here for the booking form in word.
International conference: Cities of Migration. The Cities of Migration project, a hub of best practice information and good ideas on migrant integration, is holding its first international conference in the Hague on 2 and 3 October 2010. If you have been involved in any of their online seminars, you will appreciate the wealth of shared information and inspirational presentations that can be expected from the conference.
Priceless: the contribution of community groups - Eastern Region Infrastructure Network (ERIN) event. Date: 10 June 2010. Venue: British Racing School, Newmarket. Cost: FREE. This event is an opportunity for local and regional public sector decision makers to find out about examples of substantial, significant and creative work happening across the region in our communities. Meet people whose work forms the backbone of society, and find out how they are represented by third sector infrastructure. Hear from experts about how community groups make our society more inclusive, cohesive, empowered and enterprising. Please contact mandy.crawley@cover-east.org for a registration form. You can contact COVER with any queries about the event on 01799 532 880.
The impact of migrant workers on the functioning of labour markets and industrial relations. Date: 17 June 2010. Venue: Thomas Paine Study Centre Conference Suite, (TPSC 1.1- 1.2), University of East Anglia, Norwich. This is the third in a series of six seminars that will examine the impact of migration on the operation of labour markets and industrial relations in the UK. The seminar is free to attend. Please e‐mail events@ippm.keele.ac.uk for further details.
Child Health and Well-Being: Improving Services for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children. Date:–22 June 2010, 10:00am — 4:30pm. Venue:The Guoman Charing Cross Hotel, London. This symposium, hosted by the Centre for Parliamentary Studies, provides an invaluable opportunity for UKBA staff, children’s services, education sector and third sector practitioners to discuss current progress in improving the health and well-being of asylum seeking children.
Employing Non-UK Nationals Workshop: Practical Guidance on Working with the Points Based Immigration System. Date: 23 June 2010. 09:45am — 5:00pm. Venue: the City Inn Westminster, John Islip Street, London. This special one-day workshop provides an invaluable opportunity for HR/recruitment advisers, organisational development professionals and legal advisers to gain a detailed insight into the mechanisms involved in working with the Points Based System. Throughout the day, participants will take part in a series of practical, hands-on exercises enabling them to piece together the vital components needed to develop a successful framework for vetting and employing non-UK nationals.
Our Collective Duty: Tackling Domestic Violence & Violence Against Women. Date: 30 June 2010 09:15 - 15:40. Venue: Rowley Mile Conference Centre, Newmarket Racecourse, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 0TF. The conference focuses on the importance of effective partnership arrangements in supporting victims of violence, working with perpetrators and preventing domestic violence and violence against women. It covers a range of issues from the impact on children, the criminal justice services, the role of the NHS, helping men to take responsibility for their actions and the role of employers in supporting staff who face violent situations. For further information about this event please contact Jayne Cole, Events Organiser, East of England LGA t: 01284 729405 e-mail: jayne.cole@eera.gov.uk
The New Immigration Agenda – post election developments in policy – the Immigration Advisory Service annual conference. Date: Wednesday 21 July 2010; 9.00 am to 5.00 pm; Venue: Keyworth Centre, South Bank University, Keyworth Street, London, SE1 6NG. The conference will be concentrating on the developments in immigration, asylum and human rights law and practice in the post election period. It will also focus on the future of accreditation regulation and possible barriers to access to quality legal advice and representation for migrants and refugees. Standard: £190. Concessionary: £125 (for charities, social enterprises and full-time students). Special discount: (only 25 places): £50 (for small charities and voluntary organisations with less than £250,000 annual income and non wage- earners receiving benefits). Please see the draft conference programme. The booking form will be available on-line soon, once all the speakers have confirmed. Please e-mail conference@iasuk.org to register your interest of attendance or ring 0207 967 6044.
JOBS: Home carers vacancies. Primary Homecare Ltd are looking for home carers in the East of England to provide personal care to people living in their own homes. Full time and part time positions are available with subsidised accommodation (shared accommodation, rent £60 per week inclusive of all utilities). This offer is also open to suitable homeless candidates. To apply please send you CV to contact Cheryl Ruck or Chris Ward. Tel no: +441473 833533; fax: +441473 833830; e-mail: cheryl@primaryhomecare.co.uk or chris@primaryhomecare.co.uk
“Making Migration Work for All in London” conference. Migrants’ Rights Network, Date: 23 June 2010, 6pm. Venue: St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, 78 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AG. At this conference Migrants’ Rights Network will be launching a new report, providing an overview of immigration in London and looking at some of the challenges that immigration brings and the public sector and civil society responses to these challenges. The report looks at the perspectives for policies that provide a better deal for migrants and residents in London. The event will feature a short film based on the report plus talks by academics, migrant activists and representatives of London government, and will be followed by a reception. A complete programme and invitation will follow soon.|
Protecting Unaccompanied Child Asylum Seekers ﾖ Improving Local Provision through Multi-Agency Working. Date: 9 September 2010; 10.40am-3.15pm; Venue: The Commonwealth Club, Westminster. The morning of this Policy and Practice Briefing will provide delegates a forum to discuss and debate recent Government guidance and how successfully child asylum policy is being implemented across the country. Delegates will consider the key issues raised by recent reports. The afternoon will investigate successful examples of partnership working and information sharing between UKBA and other stakeholder agencies, as well as case studies of best practice through Local Safeguarding Children Boards. Cost: £225 per place, £175 for two or more places
National Conference for Refugee Community Organisations: Sustainability and Survival. Date: 11 June 2010. Venue: Camden Centre, Judd Street, Kings Cross, London, WC1H 9JE. The first ever Basis Project national conference: Sustainability and Survival presents Refugee Community Organisations (RCOs) with an opportunity to share their experiences with funders, second tier organisations and statutory agencies. The Basis Project is a partnership project led by Refugee Council and Refugee Action, funded by the Big Lottery Fund. As well as providing one-to-one organisational development support to RCOs across England, we work closely with funders and other mainstream bodies to increase their understanding of RCOs. To book a place (before 11 May 2010), please contact Tel: 020 7346 1297 Email: alain.munyangabe@refugeecouncil.org.uk Post: The Basis Project, 240-250 Ferndale Road, London, SW9 8BB
'Challenges and Commonalities in Providing Objective Evidence for Refugee Status Determination' International Conference - 10 and 11 June 2010. Country of Origin Research and Information (CORI) is holding a two day conference on 10 and 11 June 2010, drawing together experts and practitioners involved in providing objective evidence within refugee status determination to discuss 'Challenges and Commonalities in Providing Objective Evidence for Refugee Status Determination'. The conference will be of interest to all stakeholders to RSD, in particular to legal practitioners, decision makers, COI Researchers, language, medical, psychological, country and thematic experts, NGO's, professionals and students in the fields of Human Rights, Law, Anthropology, Medicine, Psychology, Sociology, Linguistics, Religion and Gender. The conference will be held at the University of Westminster, New Cavendish Street, W1W 6UW. Schedule and booking form:
http://www.cori.org.uk/resources/CORI+Conference+-+Objective+Evidence+-+10th+and+11th+June+2010.pdf
World Class Commissioning & Migrant Health Conference. Date: Monday 14 June 2010, 9.00 am – 2.00 pm. Venue: Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne. This conference, organised by the North East Strategic Migration Partnership Migrant Health Group and sponsored by the North East Public Health Observatory aims to examine the experience of migrant communities and consider the commissioning skills needed to support diverse and mobile migrant communities. The conference is free, and a full conference programme will be published shortly. Demand is expected to be high, so please register your interest if you would like to attend. To pre-register please email: paula.cummings@newcastlepartnership.org.uk using Migrant Health Conference as the subject line.

Health and Safety and Vulnerable Workers in a Changing World of Work conference. Date: Tuesday 8 June 2010. Venue: The Law Department, Middlesex University, London. Middlesex University and ADAPT – Centro Studi Marco Biagi, University of Modena, Italy are holding an International Conference. No registration fee. You are invited to register and reserve a place at the conference by email to Denise Arden at D.Arden@mdx.ac.uk. For further information please contact either Professor Malcolm Sargeant at M.Sargeant@mdx.ac.uk or Professor Brenda Barrett at B.Barrett@mdx.ac.uk
International Summer School in Forced Migration. Refugee Studies Centre, Date: 5 – 23 July 2010. Venue: University of Oxford. Applications are invited for this year’s International Summer School in Forced Migration, to be held at Wadham College, Oxford. Apply by 1 March (bursary applicants), 1 May (self-/employer-funded applicants).
British Red Cross - Community Based First Aid (CBFA). Formal first aid training is very structured and standardised, CBFA offers a more tailored service; e.g. by breaking the sessions down and focussing on what the group needs to learn. There is no specific target group as such it can be anyone from teenage parents, children with learning/behavioural difficulties, or migrants to the UK. Group sizes: between 6-12. Costing: 4 hour Emergency Life Saver course £5. 7 hour Basic First Aid course £10. Contact: Heidi Wright, Community Based First Aid Intern - East Anglia, The British Red Cross, Coronation Road, Norwich, NR6 5HD
Free training for Polish and Portuguese native speakers who provide support to their communities in the East of England. As part of a grant from The Big Lottery, we are looking to train 10 native Polish or Portuguese speaking support personnel for free in the use of The SOUL Record. At a one day training course people will be given an English and Polish or Portuguese version of The SOUL Record to take away and utilise; they will then be asked to identify any cultural differences or difficulties that may occur as a result of the translation. The documents will then be finalised and they will be given the first prints of the fully translated Portuguese or Polish SOUL Record which is theirs to use and keep. Information about the SOUL Record can be found on the website (see below). Training has now been extended to the whole of the East of England, not just Norfolk. To take advantage of this free training please contact: The Research Centre, City College Norwich. Tel: 01603 773364 Email: theresearchcentre@ccn.ac.uk. SOUL Record website: www.soulrecord.org
Regional Gypsy & Traveller Empowerment Network. MENTER is proposing to develop the Network to support the work of Gypsy/Traveller Organisations and promote equality of services to those from these communities. Please contact John Day for more details on john@menter.org.uk
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES. The Refugee Integration and Employment Service of Refugee Council for Eastern Region is looking for volunteers and Mentors to help new refugees integrate into the locality. You will be helping paid advisors, or working one to one, to enable clients to find somewhere to live, somewhere to learn, with a particular emphasis on somewhere to work. If you feel you have the skills to advocate and assist people to navigate the complexities of getting established in a new life, please contact Tom Daly for an application pack: Tom Daly, Volunteer Coordinator RIES, Refugee Council Eastern Region IP1 1HT. Tel: 01473 297908 Thomas.daly@refugeecouncil.org.uk