IPSWICH is preparing to celebrate the contribution made by the refugees who have made new lives here after seeking refuge in Great Britain.A series of special events have been organised to mark Refugee Week, which begins on Monday.

IPSWICH is preparing to celebrate the contribution made by the refugees who have made new lives here after seeking refuge in Great Britain.

A series of special events have been organised to mark Refugee Week, which begins on Monday.

The national event brings different communities together to challenge the stereotypes surrounding refugees and to offer new ways of understanding the refugee experience and celebrate cultural difference.

Refugee Week was created in response to increasingly negative perceptions of refugees and asylum seekers held by the sections of the British public.

It is the only UK-wide event that promotes the importance of offering sanctuary to those who need it and the benefits refugees bring to their new communities.

CSV Media Clubhouse in Princes St, Ipswich, which works closely with refugees and asylum seekers is organising the Refugee Week events in Suffolk for the second year.

This year's events range from the live showing of the Iran versus Angola World Cup match on Wednesday to an all-day PlayStation FIFA World Cup tournament at the clubhouse.

There will also be an International Women and Children picnic in the park event at Christchurch Park on Tuesday.

n. Do you think the week is a good idea? What events would you like to see? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Weblinks:

www.csv.org.uk and follow the links to Ipswich

www.refugeeweek.org.uk

Monday

11.30am - 3pm: Refugee Week launch on the Cornhill, Ipswich

12.30pm: Schools poetry competition at the Wolsey Theatre

Tuesday

11am - 12.30pm: Oasis video editing for refugees and asylum seekers at the CSV Media Clubhouse

6.10pm: screening of In This World, directed by Michael Winterbottom, at Ipswich Film Theatre

Wednesday

12.30pm: International Woman and Children picnic in Christchurch Park. All women and children welcome.

All day: FIFA PlayStation gaming World Cup competition

3pm: Angola v Iran World Cup game screened at the CSV Media Clubhouse

9pm: George's International Jam Night at the Steamboat Tavern, Ipswich

Thursday

5pm: Women's and children's tea part at the Sifre Centre, Ipswich

4.30pm: Let's Talk Health for Men event at the CSV Media Clubhouse, Princes Street, Ipswich

Friday

Noon: Art Without Borders - Exhibition of international artists at the Robert Cross Hall, Corn Exchange, Ipswich

7.30pm: Refugee and Migrant Worker's celebration party for all communities at the CSV Media Clubhouse

Saturday

Noon: Art Without Borders - Exhibition of international artists at the Robert Cross Hall, Corn Exchange, Ipswich

Other events include a photographic exhibition in the Limelight Bar at the Corn Exchange until June 27 and a display of Kurdish art by Sabah Mohammed at the CSV Media Clubhouse from Monday until Thursday.