World Refugee Day 2003: Costa Rica

UNHCR information materials such as Refugee Magazines, brochures, postcards, posters, and stickers were distributed at the stands set up on three university campuses: the Central American Autonomous University (16 June), the Law School University (17 June), and the University of Costa Rica (18 June).

Within the framework of the co-operation agreement between UNHCR and the University of Costa Rica, a round table on the theme "the Local Integration of Refugees in Costa Rica" was held with the support of the Spanish Cultural Centre in San José on 19 June. The discussion was chaired by the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Rafael González Ballar.

On 20 June, the celebration started at the San José Metropolitan Cathedral with a mass dedicated to the victims of forced displacement.

After the religious service, people joined the festivity at Plaza de las Garantias Sociales in downtown San José. Many Colombian refugees, mostly artisans and beneficiaries of the micro-credit scheme funded by UNHCR, displayed their products and performed music and dance with Costa Rican artists. The refugees took the opportunity to express their gratitude towards the host community, UNHCR and its partner organisation ACAI.

UNHCR's World Refugee Day TV spot "Coraje" was aired on Canal 7 from 4 to 20 June on a pro-bono basis.