World Refugee Week, June 17 to 25, will see many events around Australia to raise awareness of the 67 million displaced people internationally.

YRAR will be hosting a dinner with special guest and speaker Marie Sellstrom, who is the president of Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR).

The dinner will be "an evening of food, stories and the launch of a library of books and films that present stories of refugees and asylum seekers," says YRAR president Evol McLeod OAM. "Everyone is welcome."

"We are proud to welcome Rural Australians for Refugees to Yass as this impressive network of advocates now includes hundreds of rural communities and welcomes all advocates into the network."

She described the pro-refugee network as a "vast mosaic of overlapping networks: lawyers, church people, human-rights advocates, welfare workers, political activists and ordinary people; from highly skilled professionals with specific expertise to the many thousands who have joined a grassroots movement striving to return compassion and humanity to Australia's treatment of asylum seekers."

The group: aims to raise public awareness of the issues involving people seeking refuge and asylum; writes letters to newspapers and politicians; meets members of parliament to challenge inhumane policies; provides practical help to people seeking refuge and asylum in local communities; fundraises for people seeking refuge and asylum; attends rallies and vigils; and provides home hosting for people seeking refuge and asylum.

YRAR has also been invited to address the University of the Third Age (U3A) in Cootamundra about its work in the Yass region. Ms McLeod and YRAR secretary Jo Hicks will travel to Cootamundra on June 19. "It's good to have the recognition and the networking opportunities," Ms McLeod said.

'Share A Meal, Share A Story' is on Saturday June 22, 6.30pm at Boree Log Cottage, 29 Demestre Street, Yass. Entry by paper note donation. Food will be provided. BYO, if you fancy a drink.