The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly very graciously opened our afternoon of celebration.

The theme this year for Refugee Week was ‘Community as a Superpower’ inviting us all to think about the everyday ways people come together to support one other, especially in tough times.

There has been evidence this week at our four events, North, South, West and East Belfast and today of evolving support for each other. There were many organisations there today aiding that ‘Superpower.’ We wish to express our gratitude to them for the work they tirelessly do throughout the year.

We wish to thank Belfast City Council, the PSNI, the Housing Executive and many others for coming along today.

There was music, our friend Donna Nalongo held the whole event together and performed and we also had a trio singing Roger Courtney’s refugee song.

There was dancing, the children were playing football and the bubble machine was popular. Of course the weather cooperated.

There will be a lot of tired people tonight from those who prepared delicious food to our Chair Mehrshad Esfandiari and our Coordinator Israel Eguaogie. And then we acknowledge the support we had from Diverse Youth and from Ballynafeigh Community Development Association and their Chief Executive, the tireless and generous Gerry Tubritt.