Colin Firth, Mark Haddon and Eugene Hutz of Gogol Bordello, have all  contributed to the latest issue of the New Londoners, a new free London  newspaper which will be available throughout the capital from Sunday and for the  duration of Refugee Week.

The unique newspaper was put together by volunteers, members and staff from the Migrant Resource Centre in London. The New Londoners aims to dispel some of the myths created by mainstream media in their reporting of refugee and asylum issues. It provides an alternative and realistic view of the contribution of immigration to the capital, differing from that which is often portrayed. The newspaper also provides a voice of those who are normally reluctant, for obvious reasons, to come forward and reveals some of their more alarming and distressing experiences.

Nazek Ramadan, Acting Director of the Migrant Resource Centre, said: “When did you last read a positive story about a refugee or asylum seeker? This is how the New Londoners newspaper project was created.  We wanted to produce something that provided those, who had read enough, with their own means to address these issues. Most importantly we wanted to make a publication that would have a mainstream appeal. It had to be something that commuters into London would want to read and we really hope we have achieved that with our wide range of contributors, interview and features.  The entire project was put together voluntarily and we hope it plays some small part in building understanding between communities.’

“We also want the paper to be a celebration of London. Throughout its history, the city has welcomed new Londoners who bring a piece of the world with them. New Londoners bring with them a wealth of talent, skills, culture and energy which contributes to London’s vibrancy. No wonder London is often described as the capital of the world as once in London, you are everywhere in the world. Any music, food, and culture you can find it here.”

The launch of the New Londoners coincides with the start of the ‘Celebrating Sanctuary’ event on the South Bank on Sunday 15 June.  

The New Londoners - Letter from the editor

It gives me great pleasure to introduce the second issue of The New Londoners, the voices and stories of some of the newcomers who have made London their home.
The great success and excellent reception of last year’s issue made us even more determined to continue this endeavour at building understanding between London communities new and old.
The New Londoners won the Highly Commended prize in the Mayor of London Press Awards 2007 in two categories: Best coverage in faith, black, Asian or minority ethnic press and Best visual / creative material.

This free annual paper allows you to follow the amazing journeys of migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, and shares their lives, hopes, joys and successes as well as their pain, the injustices they have faced and their struggles to build a new life.
New Londoners bring with them a wealth of talent, skills and culture to add to the vibrancy and success of this historically welcoming city, and this newspaper prides itself on being a platform for celebrating their contribution.

The New Londoners also brings out facts that dispel the myths surrounding newcomers as a result of unfair and inaccurate coverage in parts of the media.
My colleagues and I from the Refugee Media Action Group at the Migrants Resource Centre very much enjoyed working on producing the paper. We hope that you will enjoy reading this exciting new issue.
The New Londoners is produced on a voluntary basis with generous support and invaluable contributions from members of the project, individual migrants and refugees as well as British journalists. We are also grateful for our collaboration with the following organisations: Migrant and Refugee Communities Forum, OneWorld UK, The Guardian, Refugee Council, UNHCR, The Children’s Society, City Parochial and Oxfam, which is also funding this edition of the newspaper.

Nazek Ramadan

MRC Media and Policy Project