Refugee issues discussed

The Jesuit Refugee Service teamed up with St Aloysius College to organise a day-long programme of activities yesterday at the Birkirkara college to raise awareness about the plight of refugees.

The programme, with the participation of some 20 adult and young refugees presently living in Malta, started with Mass.

A number of public discussions on refugee issues were held with the participation of representatives from the police corps, the Emigrants' Commission, the Jesuit Refugee Service and Amnesty International.

A number of workshops were also held with refugees speaking to the various groups about the situation in their country, their escape, the time they spent in detention and prospects for their future.

Participants also had the opportunity to meet refugees from Ethiopia and Eritrea to hear them speak about their food. There was also a tasting session of food from those two countries.

Children of refugees then joined St Aloysius College students in a football tournament. The event was rounded off with a concert by a Congolese Band.