World Refugee Day in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific
World Refugee Day in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific
What is World Refugee Day?
World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.
World Refugee Day 2026
Australia recently welcomed its one‑millionth refugee since the end of World War II. To mark this significant milestone, Australia Post will release a commemorative stamp in June, ahead of World Refugee Week 2026 (14–20 June). Designed by Jason Watts, the stamp celebrates Australia’s long history of welcoming people from around the world and recognises the important role refugees have played in shaping our country. The stamp has been created in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Refugee Council of Australia. Featuring the UNHCR logo, the design offers a graphic interpretation of many people coming together as one, signifying the unique journeys of refugees seeking a better life in Australia. The stamp will be issued as a $1.70 stamp and will be available in June at participating Post Offices and online shop.
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Australian footballers in UNHCR’s Gamechangers World Cup team
Ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has announced a symbolic team of global football players with a refugee or displacement background.
Australian players featured in the team are:
Mohamed Touré: Born as a refugee in Guinea, resettled to Australia,and now represents the Australian national team.
Awer Mabil: Born in Kakuma refugee camp and played for Australia at a World Cup.
Nestory Irankunda: Born in a refugee camp in Tanzania, resettled to Australia and now represents the Australian national team.
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75th Anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention. The 1951 Refugee Convention, and its 1967 Protocol, are the key legal documents that protect the rights of refugees at the international level. It was developed in the aftermath of the First and Second World Wars, when millions of people fled their homelands in search of refuge.
The 1951 Convention provides the internationally recognized definition of a refugee and outlines the legal protection, rights and assistance a refugee is entitled to receive.