Waves of migration – Camden’s journey towards becoming Borough of Sanctuary
On Wednesday 13 March 2024, Camden Council hosted a celebration marking our journey to becoming a borough of sanctuary.
Camden has a long and proud history of helping refugees, often stepping in when the government has failed to act, welcoming families into our borough and giving them the support and help they need to rebuild their lives.
Today has shown again how our communities can work together to make this possible, for those we have supported arriving from Afghanistan and the Ukraine but also looking to the future in an uncertain and turbulent world.
We continue to work to create services which reach the most vulnerable displaced people arriving in Camden, including those who have been persecuted because of their beliefs their culture or their characteristics. Our vision is to be a place of sanctuary and growth not just for today but for years to come.
We will continue to work closely with our Borough of Sanctuary forum as we realise this vision and as we move towards full membership of the City of Sanctuary network.
Councillor Sagal Abdi-Wali said:
“I’m really proud that following our pledge to become a Borough of Sanctuary at last year’s council meeting, we are well on our way to fulfilling this ambition, with full cross-party support.
“Camden has a long and proud history of welcoming and helping refugees and immigrants, often stepping in where government has failed to take action. Our Borough, like our country, has been made richer and better thanks to the contributions made by refugees, immigrants, and migrants.
“Since we made that pledge in 2023, the council has worked with our communities and voluntary organisations to build refugee facing services which reach the most vulnerable, displaced people arriving or living in our Borough.
“We celebrated the waves of migration, that have made Camden their home, added to its culture, its economy, and its heart. We have brought together our communities and young people to raise awareness of this important milestone and reaffirmed our commitment to be a place of sanctuary not just for today, but for years to come.”
Maggie Filipova-River, Regional coordinator and Local Authority lead for the City of Sanctuary network said:
“Migration is driven by the needs of human beings to survive and to be safe. It’s what we do about it and how we support others that will make all the difference!
The event drew together councillors, partners and our Future Leaders programme to celebrate what it means to be a borough of sanctuary, while showing how waves of migration have made Camden the vibrant, diverse place it is today.
The event was opened by Councillor Sagal Abdi-Wali with an exhibition showcasing the waves of migration which have built Camden’s diverse and vibrant communities. This was followed by a debate led by our guest speakers.
Maggie Filipova-Rivers, the regional coordinator and Local Authority lead for the City of Sanctuary network in the UK, spoke about the strength of working together as a network, sharing values and influencing national policy.
Bernie Dolan, Director of Community at Camden’s London Irish Centre. Spoke about the Irish experience of economic migration into London.
Faheem Khan - Founding Director of Future Leaders UK, chaired a question-and-answer session with the young people representing our Future Leaders programme.
Camden Councillors Camron Aref-Adib and Nanouche Umeadi shared their moving stories of growing up in Camden as members of families who had fled war and persecution.
Camden is now taking its next steps to becoming a fully accredited borough of sanctuary as part of a thriving network of local authorities across the UK. This means we will build on these strengths and partnerships to create refugee facing services and culture of welcome and compassion for all displaced refugees for years to come, in an unstable world.