FILM NIGHT - Afghan Refugees - 3 Mar

LSE's STAR society is holding another film night next week -- please join us! Our theme this time is Afghan refugees. Afghanistan's refugee situation dates back more than 20 years and Afghanistan remains the country of origin of the most refugees in the world, although massive repatriation movements are under way.

We'll be screening the 15 minute UNHCR documentary 'Return to Afghanistan', followed by the award-winning film 'Kandahar' (85 minutes).
When: Fri, 3 Mar, 6pm
Where: S421, St Clement's Building
*This is a free educational event open to LSE staff and students*

>See the UNHCR's Return to Afghanistan webpage here.
>See the Forced Migration Online research guide on Afghanistan here.
>ABOUT THE FILM:
Shot on the border of Iran and Afghanistan, 'Kandahar' is a politically urgent story of a young female journalist named Nafas who escaped Afghanistan with her family but must return and race against time in an attempt to rescue her sister. The film is inspired by the real-life experience of actress Nelofer Pazira, who plays Nafas.
Read more about 'Kandahar' in The Guardian here.

Upcoming EVENT - Refuge without Borders - 1 Mar

The STAR nat'l team invites you to attend an upcoming event in London that might be of interest -- read on!

Refuge without Borders - Stop violence against women
Asylum-seeking women speak out
What: Public meeting
When: Wed, 1 Mar, 5-7pm
Where: The Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House, London SW1A 2LW, (above Westminster Tube Station directly opposite Big Ben)
Who: Organised by Kent Campaign to Defend Asylum Seekers, supported by Legal Action for Women
Info: Contact Kate Adams, Kent Campaign to Defend Asylum Seekers, 01227266858, 07940964551, kadams314@hotmail.com

**CLICK on the comment thread below for more information about the meeting.**

Upcoming EVENT - Touching the Margins - 5 Apr

The STAR nat'l team invites you to attend an upcoming event in London that might be of interest -- read on!

Touching the Margins – Engaging and supporting refugee and disadvantaged young men living in London
What: Seminar
When: Wed, 5 Apr, 2-5pm
Where: BWA (Bengali Workers Association), Surma Centre, 1 Robert Street, London NW1 3JU
(nearest tubes/rail: Euston, Euston Square, Mornington Crescent)
Who: Organised by Working With Men -- see website here
RSVP: Attendance strictly by reservation. RSVP d.kohli@workingwithmen.org or call 07930 410387

**CLICK on the comment thread below for more information about the seminar.**

ATTENTION!!! Film night moved to 23 Feb

We regrettably announce that tomorrow's event must be moved to Thursday 23 February. Due to technical problems, we will be screening the short documentary and the film 'Lost Boys of Sudan' on THURSDAY 23 Feb at 7.30pm in room K05.

The STAR stall in Houghton Street will also be on Thursday.

Apologies for the inconvenience! We hope to see you Thursday.
Warm thanks,
-STAR Committee

FILM NIGHT - Refugee Youth - 22 Feb

Join us this Wednesday, 22 February, to mark STAR's national day of action, this year focused on refugee youth.

LSE's STAR society will be screening a short documentary entitled 'Facing Our Future -- Refugee Youth', followed by the critically acclaimed documentary film 'Lost Boys of Sudan'.
When: Wed, 22 Feb, 5.30pm
Where: D402, Clement House
>Learn more about the film 'Lost Boys of Sudan' HERE.
ATTN: FILM NIGHT MOVED TO THURSDAY -- SEE POST ABOVE!!!

*This is a free educational event open to LSE staff and students*
Be sure to stop by our information stall on Houghton Street earlier in the day and pick up some information about refugee youth, displaced children and unaccompanied child asylum-seekers. Don't miss it!

>See the Forced Migration Online research guide about children and adolescents in conflict situations here.
>See UNHCR's information page on refugee children here.

Get ready for your PHOTO EXHIBITION - planning meeting 21 Feb

Dear Members/Photographers,
STAR is currently organising a photo exhibition related to forced migrants. The show will include photos taken by students -- please share your photos and experiences! There's a meeting next week to recruit artists and get the ball rolling. Please join us even if you don't have photos to submit but would like to get involved in curating the exhibition.
When: Tues, 21 Feb, 5.30 - 6.30pm
Where: D106, Clement House
You can contact us at Su.Soc.Action-For-Refugees@lse.ac.uk with questions.

Human Rights Watch film festival --> 15 - 25 March

We're sure our human rights-defending, film-loving STAR members would like to know . . .
The Human Rights Watch International Film Festival London schedule and film descriptions are now available online!
>CLICK HERE

From 15-25 March 2006 the festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary in London with a programme of twenty-two films from twenty countries.
Highlights include:
-Festival opener Land of the Blind, a political satire featuring searing performances from Ralph Fiennes and Donald Sutherland
-Academy Award nominee for best foreign film, Paradise Now
-Sundance Film Festival triple award-winner, Iraq in Fragments

UNHCR official to speak on Afghanistan - 9 Feb

STAR would like to flag an upcoming event of interest to our members. Peter Kessler, Senior External Affairs Officer of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), will speak at LSE in at 7pm in room D302 on Thursday, 9 February. This LSE-SU UN Society event is free and open to all. We'll see you there!

>See the UNHCR's Return to Afghanistan webpage here.

Mr Kessler's extensive experience includes missions to Afghanistan. His speech directly follows the London Conference on Afghanistan, where the Afghanistan Compact was launched. The Compact provides a framework for cooperation between the Government of Afghanistan, the United Nations and the international community for the next five years.

PHOTO CREDIT:
A returnee and his son rebuild their home, destroyed by the Taliban, in the village of Istalif on the Shomali Plain.
©UNHCR/N. Behri

Asylum-seekers in the UK

Hello all:
>Check out this BBC article from today -- Asylum detainees 'suicide risk'
>This link is also interesting -- BBC's 'In Depth' look at refugees, asylum-seekers and immigrants in the UK
Take care,
-Melanie
LSE STAR Treasurer