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Barnardo's lecture series:

Shami Chakrabarti on children and families in the asylum system

Wednesday 21 January 2009
6.15pm - 8.30pm

61 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2ET view map

The Barnardo’s Lecture Series continues on Wednesday 21 January with Shami Chakrabarti speaking on children and families in the asylum system.

Many children and their families seeking asylum in the UK are awaiting decisions on their futuresand face destitution, abject poverty, racial harassment and demoralising uncertainty. Why shouldn’t this vulnerable group of children have the same rights as any other child? Why shouldn’t this vulnerable group of families have the same rights as any other family? Shouldn't a civilised country have a moral obligation to prevent such destitution? If you would like to hear more and have the opportunity to debate these issues then come to hear Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty, give her views on the asylum system and answer questions from the audience.

The lecture will start at 6.15pm and will be followed by a free drinks reception at around 7.30pm, where you can continue the debate and find out more about Barnardo’s work helping children, young people and families survive the asylum application process. The lecture is open to the public and free to attend but please RSVP to lectures@barnardos.org.uk to guarantee your place. Feel free to pass this invitation onto colleagues.

Barnardo’s believes that all children deserve the best start in life, no matter who they are, what they have been through or what they have done. We believe children of asylum seekers should be treated as children first and asylum seekers second. Families in the UK waiting for decisions about their future should be treated with dignity and their children protected.

Barnardo’s works directly with more than 100,000 children in over 400 services across the UK. Amongst these are a number of services supporting families through the asylum process. We can provide advice and advocacy, practical help (such as food parcels) and help with identifying and applying for grants. We