Until Everyone is Safe: A celebration of resilience, solidarity and hope
Until Everyone is Safe: A celebration of resilience, solidarity and hope
Mukisa, a poet from Uganda recites We Will Not Fade Away during UNHCR India's World Refugee Day celebration
The room fell silent as Mukisa Alvin, a poet from Uganda stepped onto the stage to recite his poem, "We Will Not Fade Away." By the time he reached the final words—"We are here. We will not fade away."—many in the audience were visibly moved. It was a powerful reminder of the message at the heart of this year's World Refugee Day celebration: that refugees are more than the circumstances that forced them to flee. They are artists, entrepreneurs, students, leaders, neighbors and dreamers whose resilience continues to inspire.
Hosted by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, this year's World Refugee Day celebration brought together refugees, government representatives, the diplomatic community. United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, refugee-led organizations and development partners under the global theme, "Until Everyone is Safe." More than a slogan, the theme is a call to action. It reminds us that safety is more than escaping conflict or persecution—it means access to protection, education, healthcare, livelihoods and the opportunity to rebuild a life with dignity.
Opening the celebration, Areti Sianni, UNHCR India's Chief of Mission, reflected on the importance of upholding the right to seek safety and ensuring that refugees are given the opportunity not only to survive, but to thrive.
"Refugees are individuals just like you and me, with skills, talents and aspirations. When given the chance, they can contribute to the prosperity of the communities that welcome them—as workers, entrepreneurs, teachers, doctors, artists, leaders and friends."
Addressing participants, Stefan Priesner, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, reaffirmed that achieving safety means more than providing protection from conflict. It requires ensuring that refugees are included in education, healthcare, livelihoods and development efforts so that they can rebuild their lives with dignity and contribute fully to society.
"Until everyone is safe, the promise to leave no one behind remains unfinished. Until everyone is safe, our work for the Sustainable Development Goals continues. Until everyone is safe, we stand together with refugees, host communities and all people seeking dignity, protection and hope."
Experts from peace and security, healthcare, community media and community education discuss what it means to ensure that everyone is safe, highlighting that lasting protection is built through dignity, inclusion and collective action.
The celebration also created space for dialogue on the practical true meaning of safety. A panel discussion brought together experts on peace and security, community media, healthcare and community education, who reflected on how safety extends beyond physical protection. From ensuring access to healthcare and education to amplifying refugee voices and fostering a sense of belonging, the discussion underscored that lasting safety is built through dignity, inclusion and collective action.
If the discussions reflected the realities of displacement, the cultural performances celebrated the resilience and diversity of refugee communities. Artists from different nationalities brought the stage to life with vibrant songs and traditional dances, each performance offering a glimpse into the cultures and traditions they continue to preserve despite displacement. Before long, applause turned into participation, as many in the audience joined the performers in dance. In those moments, music transcended language and borders, transforming strangers into fellow participants in a shared celebration of humanity.
As performances unfolded, the audience joined refugee artists in celebration, reflecting the power of culture to bring people together across languages, borders and backgrounds.
The celebration also honoured Refugee Champions through a moving visual tribute, recognizing individuals whose courage, leadership and determination continue to inspire and help others. Their journeys reflected a central message of this year's campaign: being a refugee is only one chapter of a person's story. When people are given protection and opportunity, they rebuild their futures, contribute to their communities and help create stronger, more inclusive societies.
Community members proudly showcase traditional attire and cultural heritage during the World Refugee Day celebration, reflecting the diversity and richness of refugee communities in India.
Beyond the stage, visitors explored a vibrant cultural corner where refugee entrepreneurs proudly showcased handcrafted textiles, jewelry, artwork and other livelihood products. Each item reflected not only remarkable craftsmanship but also stories of perseverance, creativity and self-reliance.
Refugee entrepreneurs showcase handcrafted products and livelihood initiatives, highlighting their creativity, skills and contributions to the communities they call home.
Nearby, an art exhibition titled "What Safety Means to Me" invited visitors to experience the world through the eyes of refugee children and artists. Their paintings revealed that safety is not simply the absence of danger—it is belonging, the chance to learn, the freedom to dream and the hope of building a future.
Artwork created by refugee children and artists explores the theme "What Safety Means to Me," expressing personal reflections on belonging, hope, protection and the dreams of a brighter future.
The celebration continued through food, as refugee communities shared traditional cuisines from their home countries. Around each table, conversations flourished, friendships were formed and cultures were celebrated.
As the celebration drew to a close, participants left carrying more than memories of moving poetry, powerful conversations, joyful performances, inspiring artwork and shared meals. They left with a renewed understanding of what "Until Everyone is Safe" truly means: that protecting refugees is not only about offering refuge from danger, but about ensuring access to rights, opportunities and the chance to rebuild a life with dignity.
Mukisa Alvin's closing words lingered long after the event had ended:
"We are here. We will not fade away."
On World Refugee Day, those words became more than the ending of a poem. They became a reminder that refugees are not defined by displacement, but by their resilience, talents and aspirations—and that until everyone is safe, the promise of protection, solidarity and hope must continue to guide us all.
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