Let’s imagine ….

#RefugeeAwarenessWeek

Let’s Imagine’ is a series of imagined conversations between refugees and high-profile political figures. The experiences of the featured refugees are based on true testimonies and represent their lived accounts.

Let’s imagine a scenario where real conversations like these actually happen—where those who have the power to change policy and perception take meaningful action, enacting policies that bring about positive change for refugees

Let’s imagine: Gulwali Passarlay, refugee, and Keir Starmer (Prime Minister) in conversation:

Gulwali:
You know, Keir, my journey from Afghanistan was full of danger—hiding in containers, nearly drowning, being separated from my kid brother by the smugglers. Many dark moments which felt impossible. What about you? What’s been your biggest challenge?

Keir:
For me, it’s been managing the pressures of leadership—balancing what’s right with what’s politically possible. It’s hard to imagine the struggle you went through. I understand that your hardships—losing family, fleeing your country, enduring chaos and danger—are on a different level. That kind of trauma is beyond anything I’ve experienced.

Gulwali:
Exactly. I remember being stuck in a never ending asylum system for years, being told to change my birth date—my very identity—to fit their rules. It made me feel invisible, like I didn’t matter, a lesser human being. But I had to push through that to keep my hope alive. I think we both face challenges that threaten our sense of who we are, even if they’re very different.

Keir:
That’s powerful. I’ve had my own struggles—moments when I questioned if I was making the right choices or if I’d be able to deliver change. But I know those are different kinds of ordeals than what you went through. Still, I believe resilience is built through overcoming difficulties, whatever they may be.

Gulwali:
And that’s what drives me—to make sure other children and refugees don’t face the same despair. It’s tough, but I believe understanding each other’s struggles helps us listen better and lead with compassion.

I say people shouldn’t make the journey I did, the risks are too high, but without any legal route to escape a life of despair, death and destruction —what choice is there for those who can’t survive where they live, due to war and conflict? If we truly want to help, we need to create safer pathways, not push people to risk everything just to find safety.

Keir:
You’re right, Gulwali. People shouldn’t be forced to risk their lives just to find safety. I believe in compassion and responsibility—not just for the individuals fleeing danger, but for all of us who have a duty to make the world safer and fairer. We need to work globally to address the root causes—conflict, instability, inequality—so people aren’t left with no choice but to risk everything on dangerous journeys.

I’ve learned that the real strength is in persistence and purpose—fighting to make things better, even when it’s hard.

I came from a home where success wasn’t guaranteed, but the opportunities I had as a kid shaped my life. I want every child to go as far as their talents can take them — it’s central to my Plan for Change. Together, we can give our kids the best chance in life, and that means making sure no one is left behind just because of where they come from or the circumstances they face.

Gulwali:
Our struggles might be different, but the drive to create a fairer world is the same


Background to this imagined conversation