Statement of Welcome for Refugees
People in Dover are compassionate and caring. Almost everyone has experience either first hand or through families and friends of the challenges of living in a border town. Many who work in Dover have responsibility at the sharp end for the protection and freedom of citizens against those who wish harm to our national community but also for upholding British values of community and compassion to those in need.
The names on Dover’s war memorial and the graves of the war dead in Dover’s cemeteries testify to the determination of our community to protect our national freedoms and way of life even at terrible personal cost.
Dover is a front line community with a proud history of welcoming those seeking safety when in fear of their lives. In 1685 French Huguenot refugees landed at Dover fleeing persecution for their religious beliefs.
Dover was de eerste stad om Joodse kinderen gered uit Duitsland vóór de Holocaust van de Tweede Wereldoorlog te verwelkomen. Een kind komt naar Dover herinnert;
"Toen ik zag de beroemde kliffen van Dover, Ik heb vreselijk opgewonden. Binnen me Ik had het gevoel dat er een nieuw tijdperk op het punt stond te beginnen. Ik maakte mijn gedachten daar en dan om opnieuw te beginnen "
We begrijpen dat de bedreigingen voor onze vrijheden en waarden fysieke kunnen zijn en ondersteunen onze Border Force in hun taken.
Dover people fought and died in the past to make sure that our community was a safe and caring and compassionate place to live and flourish.
Dover people today are committed to working to make sure we remain a safe and caring and compassionate community where a warm welcome is given to refugees and all are able to live full and happy lives.
Adopted by the Town Council at its meeting held on 21st October 2015