Refugee Week – Wednesday

June 17, 2015

It appears that this years theme for Refugee Week is the contribution made by refugees to their host country or to the world (Einstein always comes to mind!).

I have a great long list of famous refugees and the offspring of refugees.  It is tremendous and what they have accomplished is very notable. There have been contributions to all kinds areas of life from business to the arts, from science to sport. It always amuses me that this includes Prince Philip, Sir Alec Issigonis (the designer of the iconic Mini) and the Portuguese refugees who brought us Fish and Chips.

Then there are the less remembered contributors: the Ugandan Asians who have successfully supported the local economies and the corner shops; those who quietly support our elderly and those in need of care and those who bring their skills and motivation and drive.

But I feel a little uncomfortable about this as well.  A bit like my thoughts yesterday, let’s alter the words of Kennedy and “ask not what they can give to us, but what we can give to them!”