Sponsored by
Sanctuary theme for cathedral exhibition
A NEW photography exhibition on the lives of refugees and asylum seekers will go on show in Sheffield Cathedral today.
The Saving Sanctuary exhibition combines the stories of those who have fled horrific situations in Zimbabwe, Darfur and Kosovo, and found sanctuary in the UK, with portraits of ordinary British people who explain where they find sanctuary.
Organisers say they hope that it will encourage people in Sheffield to show their support for the UK's tradition of helping those fleeing persecution.
Produced by photographer Sarah Booker for the "Citizens for Sanctuary" campaign, the exhibition was created in response to a warning by the Independent Asylum Commission in May 2008 that the long-term future for the UK as a place of sanctuary is "bleak" unless an attempt is made to restore public support.
Jonathan Cox, lead organiser for the Citizens for Sanctuary campaign, said: "The message of the exhibition is simple – we all need our own temporary sanctuaries from the stresses and strains of modern life, but people who suffer persecution abroad need to be able to find sanctuary in countries like the UK."
The City of Sanctuary movement began in Sheffield in October 2005 and, in September 2007, the council formally declared the city to be the country's first official City of Sanctuary.
To achieve this status, a city must improve the experiences and opportunities of refugees and asylum seekers, so that they can contribute to the communities within which they live.
A report detailing Sheffield's progress in this area is to go before the council's cabinet committee meeting tomorrow.
Dr Joanne Grenfell, residentiary canon at Sheffield Cathedral, said: "I am delighted that people in Sheffield will have the chance to view the excellent and thought-provoking Saving Sanctuary exhibition.
"Sheffield was the first official City of Sanctuary and we have a proud tradition of offering sanctuary to people fleeing persecution."
Email to a friend
Print this page- Three-inch blanket of snow heading our way today
- Alan Shearer in list of favourites for Leeds and England jobs: Latest odds
- Barnsley’s Keith Hill invokes Fawlty Towers over link with Leeds job
- McCormack feels United search can be narrowed down
- Redfearn throws down gauntlet as queue builds at Elland Road
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
