Refugee voices: Young speak out

By Dominic Casciani
BBC News community affairs

The asylum debate provokes strong reactions from all sides, but what is it like to be a young refugee living in the UK, facing all the normal concerns of teenagers and an uncertain future?

There are tens of thousands of children and teenagers in the UK who arrived as members of asylum seeking families - or even unaccompanied, having been bundled out of their home country by their parents.

Last week, teenagers from across Britain who are seeking asylum or have already been given protection as refugees gathered in London for a Save The Children conference.

They discussed the big issues as they see them: education, university, support from authorities, racism and prejudice - and fear of an uncertain future. Here, four young delegates talk about their plans for the future and their current concerns. Listen to each by clicking on the links by their pictures. Some of the names have been changed.

"INTEGRATE; LEARN ABOUT PEOPLE"

Although Ahmed is officially from Bangladesh, he and his family say they are stateless.

Ahmed, 17 Living in Manchester

Ahmed, 17, is a member of the Urdu-speaking Bihari community and sought asylum from Bangladesh, where most people speak Bengali.

He says his family face persecution because many Biharis supported Pakistan when Bangladesh sought independence in 1971.

Now living in Manchester, he was recently recognised by the city council for his work in the community.

"The more you integrate into the community, the more you will get to know the good people. They have questions because you are different - if you answer them, they will know more about you, and you will integrate.

"If people have feelings about asylum seekers and refugees, you will have a chance to explain yourself." "Winning the award made me feel part of Manchester - it was a proud moment."

"NOT A NORMAL LIFE"

Aida, 17, lives in the North West and has been in the UK for two years.

Aida, 17, from Iran Living in north-west England

Coming from Iran, she does not know whether or not she will be allowed to stay in Britain - but is angry about how the media portray asylum seekers and refugees.

Aida says that her life "isn't normal"; she cannot plan for her education because she doesn't know whether she will still be here in a year's time.

But nevertheless, she wants to go to university to study political science and has thought about becoming a journalist.

"I'm trying to settle down. I'm going to my college and feel really good with my studies - but I still feel unsafe about my future and what will happen to me.

"Like any other human, for me, normal life is the most important thing - I want to have my family, be safe and make sure that I have a job and a future."

FEARS OF RACISM

Budding doctor Rudo, 17, and her family fled Zimbabwe and were given permission to stay in the UK and live in Middlesbrough.

Rudo, 17, from Zimbabwe Living in Middlesbrough

She says she is deeply concerned about racism and how it affects children who are asylum seekers and refugees.

Her sister has experienced racist abuse and Rudo wants people and institutions to take it more seriously, particularly schools.

"You will find people who are cruel, who are mean, who are violent - but in every race there are people like that.

"You must try to get to know people as an individual."

OVERCOMING LONELINESS

Mariam, 18, lives in London and came to the UK when she was 16-years-old, from Guinea.

Mariam, 18, from Guinea Living in London

She didn't speak any English when she arrived but is now studying for her GCSEs and hopes to go to university.

She says she has overcome loneliness and language problems - but really wants to find English friends.

"I would really like to meet English friends, but I don't get the chance to mix with them.

"There are no organisations where I can mix with English people."