News Release – 19 February 2009

A new initiative taken by former refugees living in New Zealand has resulted in the setting up of a national network of organisations representing former refugees.

The network was formed at a meeting held in Wellington on 20th January 2009. Its formation was preceded by more than a year of consultation and meetings between representatives of various groups and organisations that represent the views of former refugees.

We have called this alliance the National Refugee Network. The initial purpose of the Network is to share information.

As we build our resources we will look at how to develop a mechanism for communities to talk to each other.

Our longer term strategy is to promote a shared voice on issues of common concern. This will develop as we manage to secure more resources.

A National Steering Committee will oversee the work of the Network. Its members are from four regions. They are:

• Anne Uma George, Vice-Chair, Auckland Refugee Community Coalition
• Zenebe Tsega, Treasurer, Auckland Refugee Community Coalition
• Ismail Gamadid, President, Hamilton Refugee Forum
• Sadiya Ali, member, Hamilton Refugee Forum
• Adam Awad, Executive Chair, ChangeMakers Refugee Forum (Wellington)
• Jean-Claude Sacheun, Board member, ChangeMakers Refugee Forum
• Ahmad Tani, Chairman, Canterbury Refugee Council
• Bashir Ahmad Nooristani, Spokesperson, Canterbury Refugee Council.

Kafeba Mundele, Chair of the Auckland Refugee Community Coalition, was appointed Chairperson of the Network’s National Steering Committee.

We warmly invite refugee-background groups to join the network. Please let Kafeba, Glenda McCallum or any of the Committee members know if your group would like more information or to be added to our mailing list. We will keep you informed of our activities as they develop.

ENDS