SA schools to mark Refugee Day with documentary

Cape Town – On June 20 over 100 schools across South Africa will mark World Refugee Day by screening the documentary Where Do I Stand?

This day will mark the launch of the UNHCR’s 1 Campaign, which invites and encourages the public to Do 1 Thing to express solidarity with refugees, people who through no fault of their own are forced to flee persecution and human rights violations in their countries of origin.

100 Schools Doing 1 Thing On 1 Day offers schools the opportunity to participate by being one of over 100 schools across South Africa that engages with the documentary Where Do I Stand?. The campaign is a partnership between Shikaya, UNHCR, and filmmaker Molly Blank.

The approximately 108 schools participating in the campaign, who were all sent free copies of the film, are from across the country and represent the various schools in the education system. At some schools, like Reddam Constantia and I.D. Mkhize in Cape Town and Epworth Independent High School in Pietermaritzburg, individual teachers are showing the film to their classes. In other schools, like St. Stithians Boys College in Johannesburg, Moletsane High School in Soweto and Hohle Intermediate School in Botshabelo, Free State, all learners will be watching Where Do I Stand?

Where Do I Stand? is a 37-minute documentary that uses the xenophobia attacks of May 2008 as a window into the lives of young people who are reflecting not only on how they experienced this painful moment, but also on their engagement with fellow South Africans and their place in a complex and evolving nation.

Where Do I Stand? Trailer from Molly Blank on Vimeo.