Many refugee rights activists carry out activities within their own constituencies (for example, faith groups), and we hope that the materials provided in this Toolkit will help you continue them. Feel free to adapt for your own audience.
Others will be looking for activities and we strongly encourage you to choose among the following suggestions. Be realistic: it is better to focus on one or two things you can do well, than to spend a lot of time discussing ambitious plans that may be more than your group can accomplish. (Ultimately do what you like, and have fun, but try to do something!)
Media |
- ·Get coverage in newspapers, TV, radio and/or websites. Aim to better inform the public, since the coverage of refugee issues in the media is often inaccurate, unclear and scanty.
See section below GETTING MEDIA COVERAGE
- Educate the media by asking for a meeting with an editorial board, or hosting a media briefing session. Your aim is better inform those who work in the media, and to challenge them to provide better and more accurate coverage of refugee protection.
See section below EDUCATING EDITORIAL BOARDS AND JOURNALISTS
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Politicians |
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Teachers |
- Promote Refugee Rights Day to teachers and school boards in your area – get them interested in inviting a speaker (and best if you can find a refugee who is willing to speak) and teaching about refugees.
See section below RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS
- Ask to attend teachers’ meetings and forums to talk about refugee rights. Invite a refugee speaker to accompany you.
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Students |
- Organize an event for Refugee Rights Day in a class or school – offer to speak or to find a speaker, put on a display, show a video, give out information.
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Others |
- Get invited to other people’s events and meetings to talk about Refugee Rights Day.
- Get Refugee Rights Day recognized in your workplace, union, school, church, mosque, etc.
- Send Refugee Rights Day materials in any mailing you will be sending out (electronic or post).
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Send a Media advisory as soon as possible to journalists you think might cover the theme. (Use the CCR media advisory below to tailor for your use. Try to jazz it up a bit by giving a local flavour and say what your group plans to do, who you are etc.)
For the names and contact information of local media people, ask organizations that work with refugees and immigrants in your area to give you any they can.
Call the journalists to find out who might be interested in doing something. If so, make up a media kit to send them, which could contain:
Ø Media Advisory / Avis aux médias
Ø Booklet on Refugee Rights Day 
/ Brochure à propos de la Journée des droits des réfugié
Ø Quotes by people whose voices you think it is important to be heard
Ø Description of your group (organizations, individuals etc.)
Ø Charts, visuals, photographs
Ø Any speakers you have arranged
Explore ideas with them how you could get coverage. Some strategies include:
- encouraging sympathetic columnists to write about the Singh decision
- getting TV or radio to host a panel discussion on the state of refugee rights
- connecting media with refugees willing to talk about their perspectives on the question.
For more ideas on getting media coverage, go to the IMPACS web site at: www.impacs.org
Ø How to meet with editorial board
Ø How to host a media briefing
Ø How to organize meetings with politicians
Ø Letter to MP or Senator asking for a meeting
Ø Sample letter to mayor
Ø Teacher’s resources
Ø PowerPoint presentation on Canada’s history of refugee protection
For further CCR public education materials, look on our Public Education page.
If you use materials in this virtual Toolkit, please send your feedback to Colleen French, CCR Communication and Networking Coordinator at cfrench@ccrweb.ca Also, if you have materials or ideas to share, or you carry out Refugee Rights Day activities, please tell us so we can add it here. Thank you!
