World Refugee Day 2004 National Activity Plan: Venezuela

Throughout June, information to promote awareness on refugee issues and World Refugee Day will be broadcast on various radio stations and TV channels.

UNHCR will also host various receptions in Guasdualito, Apure, Machiques and Zulia to raise awareness on refugee issues among local authorities. During the receptions, the video on "Displaced Persons" will be shown. In Apure, a local band will perform traditional folk music. In Zulia, a photo exhibition, "Through the Eyes of Colombian Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons", will be on display. The Zulia Symphonic Orchestra will perform on 23 June in Maracaibo.

On 10 June, UNHCR staff will visit communities in Ureña to provide the population with medical check-ups.

From 14-20 June, as a follow-up to the awareness campaign in schools, UNHCR staff will visit border elementary schools in the State of Táchira to raise awareness on refugee issues and award the winners of the Refugee Rights Drawing Contest.

On 19 June, the Táchira Youth Orchestra will perform an outdoor concert of traditional Venezuelan folk music in Plaza Bolivar in San Cristóbal.

On 21 June, panel discussions and presentations will take place at the public forum, "Protecting Refugees in Venezuela", at the Universidad Católica de Andres Bello in Caracas. Discussions will focus on refugees' rights, the role of the Venezuelan State in the protection of refugees and prospects for the protection of refugees in Venezuela. It will include presentations by representatives from the Jesuit Refugee Service, UNHCR, the National Refugee Commission and the Working Group on Refugees at the Forum for Life.

At the end of the day, a traditional Venezuelan band will perform. From 15-30 June, a photo exhibition titled, "Through the Eyes of Colombian Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons", will also be held at the Universidad Católica de Andres Bello.