YORK Refugee Week 2004 gets under way tomorrow with a picnic featuring "cultural cuisine", and continues with comedy and poetry evenings and a debate.

The week, organised by Refugee Action York (RAY) with support from organisations including City of York Council, City Screen, and the University of York and York St John College, is intended to raise awareness of issues around refugees and asylum.

Organisers said it was crucial for there to be a "mature and informed debate".

They said: "With parts of the media advancing a dangerously reactionary and sensationalist agenda, and the rise in far-right politics across Europe, it is important that the real issues are explored."

The programme of events, many aimed at a family audience, includes:

A comedy evening with York comedians Rory Motion, Howard Spencer Mosley and Dan Atkinson at 7.30pm on Monday in Derwent Junior Common Room at the University of York (university students and their guests only).

A poetry evening with John Siddique at 8.30pm on Tuesday in the Basement Bar, City Screen York.

A round table debate: Asylum And Migration In The UK: Opportunity Or Threat? at 7.15pm on Thursday at Fountains Court Lecture Room, York St John College, with Martin Bright, home affairs editor of The Observer; the Rev Andrew Davey, of the Church of England's Board for Social Responsibility; and specialist asylum law barrister Ronan Toal.

The launch picnic takes place at 12.30pm tomorrow in the Museum Gardens, opposite the Hospitium.

There will also be a family celebration of Kurdish culture with Kurdish musicians, dancing, art and craft workshops and traditional food between 1pm and 3pm on Saturday, July 3, at Tang Hall Community Centre, York.

All events are free, but donations are welcome, with proceeds going to Amnesty International, The Medical Campaign For The Victims Of Torture and Hand In Hand Refugee And Homeless Support Project.

Updated: 09:22 Saturday, June 12, 2004