A World Refugee Day event was organised by UNHCR and USA for UNHCR at the Union Station in Washington D.C. In his opening speech, the Secretary of State, Colin Powell, read a statement from US President George W. Bush. Safia Jahed, an Afghan refugee, also took the stage and gave a first–hand account of life in exile. UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Angelina Jolie, made an opening speech for the children's poster contest exhibition with the theme of "Tolerance".


© UNHCR

Also on display were photographs of women refugees, a UNHCR tent and other information on the Refugee Agency. Accompanying these was a three–day extravaganza of multicultural performances that featured an Ethiopian singer, a

Hmong rapper/comedian, clown doctor Patch Adams, and dances from Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.