World Refugee Day 2004 National Activity Plan: Spain
World Refugee Day 2004 National Activity Plan: Spain
The central World Refugee Day event, as well as the Nansen Refugee Award ceremony, will be held on 20 June in Barcelona, Spain, as part of the Universal Forum of Cultures.
On 20 June, at the Barcelona Forum, UNHCR will participate in a dialogue session about "Conflicts: Prevention, Resolution and Reconciliation". This session will conclude an important policy conference series that has been taking place for two years. Participants will include some 500 senior diplomats, top level government officials, business leaders and humanitarian lawyers from all over the world. UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie will say a few words at the opening of the dialogue session, and the High Commissioner for Refugees, Ruud Lubbers, will make a speech during the session.
On the Forum plaza, Spanish children will celebrate World Refugee Day, by hanging lucky charms and wishes for refugees in the "Sky of Aspirations".
The "Sky of Aspirations" is a huge artificial sky on which children can hang a hand-made lucky charm or wish. On this occasion, both the High Commissioner and Goodwill Ambassador Jolie will say a few words about refugees' hopes and aspirations.
The Nansen Award ceremony will take place at the Palau de la Música Catalana in the evening of 20 June. The High Commissioner for Refugees will present the award to the Russian Memorial Human Rights Centre for their outstanding contribution towards protecting the rights of refugees and displaced persons in the Russian Federation. Members of the royal family, the diplomatic community, government officials, business leaders and Barcelona Forum's staff are among the invitees. The Queen's Chamber Orchestra will perform during the ceremony. There will be speeches from the Governor of Catalonia, the President of Barcelona Forum 2004, the High Commissioner, Goodwill Ambassador Jolie and the Nansen Refugee Award winner. The Infanta Cristina will conclude the ceremony. A reception will follow.