From today Sunday 16th until Saturday 20th June, Australia will be celebrating Refugee Week, with events planned to showcase the valued contributions that many refugees make to Australian society.

Unfortunately, too much is made of the bad aspects of what some refugees do in Australia, and little is ever mentioned of the positively good contributions made by many others. To help others understand refugees, here are some facts;

* There are 68.5 million people in the World who could be classed as refugees, over 50% are children. Australia takes in 18,750 annually.

* Between 70% and 90% of people entering Australia without prior notice, and who are subsequently detained are found to be genuine refugees.

* The countries suffering most economically (based on GDP), because of refugees are to be found in Africa. On an economic bases Australia comes 94th in the World.

Dear Paul,

Thank You for this discussion.

The topic of refugees means a great deal to me.
My parents were refugees. They fled their country after
the Soviet regime occupied it during World War II.
I was born in Australia.

I am aware of the importance
of the organised Refugee Week events and their aim
being to create a better understanding between our
different communities. It's a very worthwhile goal.

It encourages successful integration, better understanding,
and helps refugees to feel safer,
more welcome, and thereby helps them to continue making
their valuable contributions to this country.

A win/win situation.

I remember reading the book, "Walking Free," written by
Dr Munjed Al Muderis about his experiences as a "boat
person" arriving in this country and
what he had to go through
and experience.

Dr Munjed Al Muderis today is an Australian Associate Professor
in Orthopaedic Surgery, an author, and a human rights
activist. His pioneering work on prosthetics and patients
on titanium devices that he designed - places Australia
today at the fore-front of osseointegration technology (for
amputees). He was born on the 25th June 1972 in Iraq.

He's one of many who's made such a difference to the lives
of people in this country and overseas.

We tend to ignore we are all refugees
From The convict era , gold rush days till the post ww2 inflow that made us great
Too that many complaining about refugees are the children or grandchildren of refugees

Dear Paul,

If there are 68.5 million people in the world who could be classed as refugees and Australia takes in 18,750 annually, this means that it rejects/blocks/turns-back/locks-up 68,481,250 refugees. Even among those 18,750 who do arrive, if 70%-90% are detained, this means an extra 13125-16875 refugees who are scarred for life with the experience of prison.

You may say that this is unavoidable - perhaps, but it certainly is not a nice record to be proud of and celebrate.

Dear Paul,

I've just got hold of the book, "Always Another
Country: A Memoir of Exile and Home," by African
author Sisonke Msimang. What an incredible read.
An incredible journey. I highly recommend it to all.
Very relevant to the understanding of refugees.

Being silly Yuyutsu, the vast majority of the 68.5 million have no contact, or come under no scrutiny, from Australian officials what so ever. Therefore there is no rejecting, blocking, turning back or locking up by Australia of 68,481,250 (your figure) refugees.

You well know most of the 18,750 refugees we do take arrive through normal channels, and only a small percentage arrive unannounced, end of story.

This week gives us an opportunity to hear about the successful new lives being made by refugees after adversity suffered in their homelands. Like Rnita a young girl who arrived in Sydney in 2015 with her family, after fleeing the war in Syria. The family escaped to Lebanon, and eventually through the UNHCR were resettled in Australia. Rnita is a young person doing Business Studies at Swinburne University, and when qualified will have many opportunities presented to her. While studying Rnita is working for the Refugee Council of Australia in a communications role with newly arrived refugee families.