World Refugee Day
Hope Away From Home: A world where refugees are always included.
Each year on June 20, we ask the world to stand with refugees in the name of World Refugee Day.
This year focuses on solutions for refugees and the power of inclusion. Together, we can champion their right to seek safety, build support for their economic and social inclusion, and advocate for solutions to their plight.
Stay tune for more information and activities.
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 2023
This year, World Refugee Day (WRD) focuses on solutions for refugees and the power of inclusion. We hope to bring out the messages that we can all do more to give refugees more
hope and 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 rebuilding their lives and enable them to contribute to the countries hosting them. It’s also the best way to prepare them to return home and rebuild their countries, when conditions allow them to do so safely and voluntarily, or to thrive if they are resettled to another country.
What gives refugees hope?
Hope is not an idle wish. It’s a sense of becoming that is rooted in action. We give refugees hope when we empower them to take greater command of their daily lives. Including:
Why is World Refugee Day important?
World Refugee Day shines a light on the rights, needs and dreams of refugees, helping to mobilize political will and resources so refugees can not only survive but also thrive. While it is important to protect and improve the lives of refugees every single day, international days like World Refugee Day help to focus global attention on the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution. Many activities held on World Refugee Day create opportunities to support refugees.
When is World Refugee Day? When did World Refugee Day start?
World Refugee Day falls each year on June 20 and is dedicated to refugees around the globe. World Refugee Day was held globally for the first time on June 20, 2001, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. It was originally known as Africa Refugee Day, before the United Nations General Assembly officially designated it as an international day in December 2000.
What happens on World Refugee Day?
Each year, World Refugee Day is marked by a variety of events in many countries around the globe in support of refugees. These activities are led by or involve refugees themselves, government officials, host communities, companies, celebrities, school children and the general public, among others.
As many of the forcibly displaced have fled without belongings but the unique story of their homelands and memories built through the journey, we would like to bring their stories into the Hong Kong communities and communicate through arts – our first ever City Canvas Project, and films – the 16th Refugee Film Festival this WRD. The latter forms part of the programme of the Refugee Week co-organised by a host of non-profit organizations to amplify the voices of refugees.
