© UNHCR/Pauline Omagwa
Every year, World Refugee Day takes place on 20 June. For 2023, UNHCR Brussels is rolling out the first ever ’14 Days #WithRefugees’ between 14 and 28 June – two action-packed weeks of activities celebrating the courage and contributions of forcibly displaced people.
Hope away from home – a world where refugees are always included
On this page you’ll find a list of events organized by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the European Union (EU), Brussels authorities, and, of course, refugees themselves. You’ll also find other ways to get involved in supporting people forced to flee.
When? 14 – 25 June
Where? 44 Rue du Commerce – 2 Rue Tielemans
The various Refugee Committees in Brussels work year-round to make their voices heard in the discussions and decisions that affect refugees. This year for ‘14 Days #WithRefugees’, the Committees are coming together to host a variety of events and activities. Drop by 44 Rue du Commerce for an outdoor concert featuring refugee performers (23-24 June), or head inside for a browse at the Women Refugee Committee’s Bazaar (24-25 June). Refuel at the Refugee Food Market (24-25 June) before heading to 2 Rue Tielemans to enjoy some 5-a-side football with refugee and local teams. 44 Rue du Commerce will also play host to a film festival with films produced by UNHCR and the Refugee Committees (14, 20, 23-25 June), as well as an exhibition of images and artwork from refugees.
To learn more about the Refugee Committees, click here.
When? Exhibit, 14-23 June & Evening Event 20 June
Where? Etterbeek Town Hall, 31/1 avenue des Casernes
Exodus, an exhibition by UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) featuring the work of award-winning photographer Nicolò Filippo Rosso is returning to Brussels! Take in Rosso’s moving photos of the journeys of Venezuelan refugees and migrants outside the Etterbeek Commune town hall between 14 and 23 June. Join us at the Commune in the evening of 20 June at 7pm for a presentation and Q&A with Nicolò about his stunning collection of images, and the real-life stories behind them. To register, please click here.
When? 14-28 June 2023
Where? Online
If you can’t make it to any of our in-person events, take a look at UNHCR’s online toolkit. The toolkit includes an overview of this year’s World Refugee Day theme, tagline, hashtags, events and content. It also includes UNHCR’s flagship Global Trends Report (released on 14 June) on the situation of forced displacement globally, with the latest statistics. The data in the toolkit is also coupled with a raft of content telling the stories of the people behind the numbers, and information on how to get involved in supporting them.
When? 24 June 2023
UNHCR is hosting a film screening of ‘The Swimmers’ at Cinema Galeries in Brussels. The Swimmers tells the remarkable journey of UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Yusra Mardini and her sister Sara. The sisters fled the conflict in Syria in 2015 and had a harrowing journey to reach safety in Germany, where Yusra qualified for the first ever Olympic Refugee Team.
‘The Swimmers’ is also available on Netflix – and for more film recommendations on forced displacement, click here.
When? 26-30 June 2023
Where? European Parliament, Altiero Spinelli building, Balcony area 5G
A photo exhibition, running in the European Parliament (EP) from 26 to 30 June documents the lives of forcibly displaced women and girls caught up in forgotten crises which demand increased financial and political attention. Drawing on a selection of photos from UNHCR photographers, the exhibition aims to put a human face on forced displacement in countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Colombia, Chad, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia and Somalia. It draws particular attention to the plight of women and girls living in these protracted displacement crises that have long fallen out of the global political and public spotlight.
When? The story is available here, but restos available all year round!
Where? All across Belgium & Luxembourg
If you’re out and about in or visiting Belgium or Luxembourg, why not grab a bite to eat at a refugee-led restaurant, cafe or bistro? To celebrate the power of inclusion and the entrepreneurship and contributions of refugees, we’re bringing you a selection of the many inspirational businesses around Belgium and Luxembourg built by or employing refugees.
© UNHCR/Ruben Salgado Escudero
World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on 20 June 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 2023 focuses on building hope for refugees through the power of inclusion and the search for solutions.
© UNHCR/Petterik Wiggers
We can all do more to give refugees more hope – and more opportunities – while they are away from home. Including refugees in the communities where they have found safety after fleeing conflict and persecution is the most effective way to support them in restarting their lives and enable them to contribute to the countries hosting them. Let’s commit to including refugees in our schools, workplaces, health care systems, and beyond.
If you can’t make it to our 14 Days #WithRefugees but still want to support World Refugee Day this year, you can use our online toolkit, or follow the links below to give, create or advocate for refugees.
Donate to our Aiming Higher campaign to give refugees opportunities to access higher education.
Submit your design to our global art contest in partnership with Uniqlo on the theme « hope away from home ».
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