- Baroness Julia Neuberger delivers powerful keynote discussing her family story, work supporting refuge and asylum, and the harms of age assessments
- Winners of the 2025 Lord Dubs Awards – celebrating incredible support for refugees and people seeking asylum – announced by Lord Alf Dubs
- Young people on HIAS+JCORE’s JUMP befriending programme share how welcome has empowered their integration
Tireless and passionate work for refugee rights was celebrated at HIAS+JCORE’s 2025 Lord Dubs Awards, hosted at Westminster Synagogue yesterday (Wednesday 16 July).
The ceremony was part of a special event celebrating the second anniversary of HIAS+JCORE – the new partnership, launched in 2023, which combines the work of leading international refugee protection agency HIAS, and the Jewish Council for Racial Equality.
Opening the event, HIAS+JCORE Executive Director Rabbi David Mason urged a more compassionate approach from the Government. Condemning the recent policy which effectively bans people entering the country irregularly from ever becoming citizens, he continued: “let me be clear – as a Jew, as a Rabbi, as the Executive Director of HIAS+JCORE: we see this island as one of neighbours – never of strangers.”
Attendees next heard a powerful keynote speech from Baroness Julia Neuberger. Baroness Neuberger spoke of her own family history, and addressed serious concerns around age assessments, using her talk to condemn their impact on young people.
Young people from HIAS+JCORE’s ‘JUMP’ befriending programme then joined Eliza Ward, the project’s manager, on stage for a panel discussion. The conversation explored the young people’s personal experiences and how JUMP has enabled them to rebuild their lives.
A highlight of the evening – the presentation of the two 2025 Dubs awards – followed, with a packed audience warmly welcoming longstanding refugee rights campaigner Lord Alf Dubs.
HIAS+JCORE first introduced the Lord Dubs Awards in 2023 to celebrate incredible achievements with displaced people. This year marked the first time that nominations were opened to the public, with a new award, honouring the new generation of young activists, also introduced.
The first 2025 award, for outstanding commitment, went to Deborah Koder, a lifelong advocate for refugee rights. Deborah co-founded the New North London Synagogue Destitute Asylum Seeker Drop In in 2006 and in 2017, Deborah also established the ‘Welcome Programme’. This cultural community group helped support the 15 Syrian families who Finchley Progressive Synagogue helped to resettle in the UK.
HIAS+JCORE was then delighted to recognise Abdullahi Yussuf, a remarkable young leader, in the inaugural Dubs Legacy Award for Emerging Leaders. Driven by his own lived experience and personal limbo in the UK’s asylum system, Abdullahi is a passionate campaigner for his peers. He volunteers with several organisations empowering displaced people, supporting with legal casework, and enabling access to justice.
Rabbi David Mason, Executive Director at HIAS+JCORE, said:
“It was an immense privilege to hear so many powerful stories of support and empowerment for refugees. Working alongside the ever-inspiring Lord Alf Dubs to applaud those building on his incredible legacy has been so rewarding.
Tonight, we also wanted to thank everyone who’s made HIAS+JCORE’s work possible. We are truly building a Jewish movement for refugees, and in just two years, it is already making a meaningful difference. There is no doubt in my mind: when we come together like this, we prove that we are an island of neighbours, not strangers.”
Lord Alf Dubs said:
“It is a privilege to help recognise this year’s Award winners. Abdullahi and Deborah have undertaken truly exemplary work. I applaud all that they have achieved, and hope it brings them a deep sense of pride.
I was particularly pleased to present the Legacy Award for Emerging Leaders. It’s really wonderful to celebrate the next generation of leadership.
At a time when things are particularly tough for many people seeking refuge and asylum, the exemplary work by both Deborah and Abdullahi has helped build a better, more welcoming society for us all.”
Abdullahi Yussuf, winner of the inaugural Dubs Legacy Award for Emerging Leaders, said:
“Receiving the Lord Dubs Legacy Emerging Leadership Award is such an incredible honour – not just for me, but for every migrant I have the privilege to support on their immigration journey.
I dedicate this award to them – to their courage, their resilience and their unwavering hope. I also share this recognition with the incredible organisations I work with, who fight every day to make justice and dignity for those marginalised.
Thank you Lord Dubs, for your lifelong commitment to standing up for refugees and asylum seekers. This award reminds us all that fighting the good fight is not only necessary, but deeply human”.
Deborah Koder, winner of the 2025 Lord Dubs Award for Outstanding Commitment, said:
“I am deeply honoured to receive the Dubs Award for Outstanding Commitment to Refugees. Lord Alf Dubs is a living symbol of compassion and a man whose life and legacy have shaped refugee advocacy; to receive an award in his name is both an honour and a responsibility.”
