One Goal: Safety for All - World Refugee Day 2026 in Indonesia.

On a typical weekend at the Ismail Marzuki Gardens in Jakarta, the Oesman Effendi Gallery was yet again, transformed into a vibrant space. This Saturday, however, on World Refugee Day, visitors had the opportunity to experience something different.

Organized by UNHCR Indonesia together with Refu+ure Indonesia, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Indonesia, Suaka, Yayasan Cita Wadah Swadaya (YCWS), Bridges for Hope, Islamic Relief Indonesia, refugee-led organizations, volunteers, and refugee artists, World Refugee Day in Jakarta welcomed people from all walks of life.

Refugee volunteers served as guides throughout the venue, accompanying guests as they visited art exhibitions, sports showcases, cultural activities, and community bazaars while sharing their own personal stories. Civil society organizations, refugee-led organizations, partners, and supporters all came together demonstrating how meaningful encounters can foster understanding and strengthen solidarity.

For Eka, UNHCR Indonesia’s #KawanBaik (Good Friend) and a first-time visitor to the World Refugee Day event, the experience left a lasting impression.

"This was my first time attending an event like this, and it was truly memorable. UNHCR paired me with a refugee guide who accompanied me throughout the event. Hearing firsthand about their life, experiences, and hopes gave me a completely different perspective. It made me realize how important it is to meet people beyond the labels we often hear."

Sampling cuisine and visiting handicraft stalls offered another opportunity for connection. Refugees shared traditional dishes, crafts, and stories from Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and other countries. Storytelling asked audiences to reflect on journeys of displacement and hope.

One refugee participant shared:

"As refugees, our sense of isolation becomes smaller when Indonesians greet us with a smile and invite us to share simple moments in everyday life. Sit with us. Taste our food. Listen to our stories. Play football with us."

Cultural performances, live music, and sports demonstrations by refugee-led organizations, showcased how sports continue to build confidence, wellbeing, and connections within refugee communities. Visitors participated in mini sports challenges, Somali cultural activities, friendship bracelet-making sessions, interactive games, and wrote messages of hope on the Solidarity Wall.

Elsewhere, in Medan, north Sumatera, UNHCR collaborated with She Moves, a local sports organization, and several community partners and football clubs to bring together refugee adolescents and Indonesian youth through football. Refugees and locals played side by side, creating opportunities for teamwork, friendship, and mutual understanding. The event also featured a coaching clinic where participants learned about the refugee situation in Indonesia through discussions led by representatives from UNHCR, Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Sumatera Utara, and a local Hindu, Christian and Buddhist organizations. Together, the activities highlighted how sports and dialogue can strengthen social cohesion between refugees and host communities.

Back at the Oesman Effendi Gallery in Jakarta, visitors were able to step away from the buzz of the bazaar for something more contemplative. More than 50 works by refugee and Indonesian artists were exhibited on themes of resilience, identity, hope, and belonging.

Husain, another visitor, reflected on the experience:

"Today I had the opportunity to meet refugees directly, see the organizations and initiatives they have built, and hear their stories. It was inspiring to see their resilience, creativity, and determination despite the challenges they continue to face."

In a world dominated by statistics, soundbites and social media, UNHCR hopes the public will look beyond labels and connect with refugees as fellow human beings with stories, talents, dreams, and aspirations.

Adriani Wahjanto, Officer-in-Charge of UNHCR Indonesia, emphasized that the day's commemoration was ultimately about creating opportunities for people to connect.

"World Refugee Day reminds us that safety is more than protection from danger. It is also about belonging, participation, and having the opportunity to contribute. Through events like this, we hope more people can meet refugees, listen to their stories, and recognize our shared humanity. Only by standing together can we move closer to a future where everyone is safe."

This year’s World Refugee Day is a special on as 2026 marks 75 years of the 1951 Convention. In the spirit of UNHCR's global message "Until Everyone is Safe," the event in Jakarta also included discussions on refugee protection, education, and social cohesion. The Refugee Community-Based Paralegal Handbook on Handling Cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) was also launched highlighting community-led efforts to strengthen protection for refugees.

In Pidie, Aceh World Refugee Day was marked with a community gathering, sharing messages of hope and resilience. A region that has seen the rescue and disembarkation of refugees, Aceh is a testament to Indonesia’s longstanding support to protecting those forced to flee. Speaking on behalf of the community, Ubaidur Rahman, a Rohingya refugee, reflected on the challenges faced by millions of people uprooted by conflict, persecution, and violence, while expressing gratitude to those who continue to stand in solidarity with refugees. He appealed to governments, humanitarian organizations, and the international community to continue supporting refugees.

In Jakarta, the commemoration ended with an uplifting collaborative performance by Congolese refugee rapper Grace (KiLLMYPRiDE) and Indonesian Papuan artist Paul Shady. A fitting close to a day where conversations replaced assumptions, shared experiences closed distances, and solidarity grew through genuine human connection.

In fact, across Indonesia, World Refugee Day 2026 demonstrated the change can come from something as simple looking closer or starting a conversation. Because behind every refugee is a story of home, a prayer for a safer future and the struggle of life beyond status or circumstance.

Because until everyone is safe, solidarity remains a shared responsibility.