New Year; Hope and Solidarity | Radio Calais

Last year, 2024, has to be the worst year for people on the move since the 1951 Refugee Convention. This episode, Radio Calais reflects upon the past year by gathering the headline figures about the UK border so close to us, the English Channel. Cate keeps the focus on Calais in her piece coming up soon and we both introduce summaries about the two of the places that we have covered on many of our shows: Palestine and Sudan.

We have messages of hope for the New Year. 2025. Hope came with the end of the Basher Assad regime in Syria. As his jails were opening, refugees from Syria’s Lebanese neighbour were already trying to return, some to look for their imprisoned relatives and find out if they were still alive. But our hope is watchful not least to ensure that Syrian refugees who have made their homes in Europe will have their right to remain respected.

In this New Year, Radio Calais is renewing our commitment to support those stranded in Calais, Nik has updates about our off radio actions. On the radio, with many thanks to our hosts on Radio Reverb and Refuge Worldwide who give us space to do this, we will continue to amplify across these airwaves the main affair, the arguments we all need to hold onto as the asylum system is eroded by cruel politicians of all kinds: the right to life and the right to move.

Tracklist

• Ajak Kwai - We Need Love Not War

• Juls, Hagan - Nshonna Riddim

• Pitbull - I Believe That We Will Win

• Amira Kheir - Manoak

• Abayomy Afrobeat Orquestra - Malunguinho

• Alkibar Gignor - Adouna

• Mic Righteous - My Friend (ft. WAX)

• Ibrahima Cissokho & Le Mandingue Foly - Bayo

• Le Lij - Oulaya

• Happa - Ice Blink Lost ft. LAFAWNDAH

• Marvin Gaye - What’s Going On?

• Lembsy- J’Comprends Pas