During the course of the day different issues that affect
refuges and asylum seekers in the United Kingdom were discussed and explored in
light of the CAST objectives and plans which aim to look at how to help Sanctuary
seekers with accommodation and other needs as they face the day today problems
in the sanctuary system.
Individuals from different countries had an opportunity to
tell their asylum stories and during discussions it was clear that the
sanctuary seekers from different parts of the world are faced by the same
problems as they go through the sanctuary system. One could deduce that
problems affecting Zimbabweans are not different from countries like Syria,
Congo and all other politically unstable countries.
The conference suggested
ways on how communities and organisations can work together to help and support
the Sanctuary seekers emotionally, socially and assist with accommodation. In
one workshop on media it was agreed that the word 'asylum seeker' is derogatory
and discriminative should be replaced by 'sanctuary'. Stanford Biti facilitates
the U.K sanctuary (asylum) workshop which concluded on the need to revamp the
whole system in line with United Nations millennium development goals.
Washington Ali suggested that there is need for Sanctuary seekers to be
assisted in different ways so that they don’t feel isolated in the communities.
Charles Dliwayo entertained the conference with a great and emotional religious
song. Shiellah Sibanda recited a subtle poem lived experiences of sanctuary
seekers.
Shiellah Sibanda
Treasurer
