Each year on 20 June, the world celebrates World Refugee Day, the international day to honour people who have been forced to flee.
Together, we can champion their right to seek safety, build support for their economic and social inclusion, and advocate for solutions to their plight.
We look forward to seeing you all in person as we commemorate this important day. Below are some activities we have prepared for you. See you soon!
1ST REFUGEE FILM FESTIVAL
On 20-22 June 2023, UNHCR Philippines will be holding a Refugee Film Festival showcasing the stories of people forced to flee through films and documentaries from the Philippines and around the globe. The film festival aims to help bring awareness, build empathy, and mobilize action for and on behalf of the 103 million forcibly displaced persons worldwide.
Admission is FREE. Reserve your e-tickets to the films of your choice below.
QUEZON’S GAME
20 June 2023 (Tuesday) 6:00-9:00 PM PST
In 1938, Philippine President Manuel Quezon, future U.S.President Dwight Eisenhower, and several other notable figures set out to rescue Jewish refugees from the ghettos of Germany and Austria. In his final days, Quezon asks the question “Could I have done more?” before recollecting one of the least known, but most uplifting stories in Philippine history.
FLEE
21 June 2023 (Wednesday) 2:00-3:30 PM PST
Flee tells the story of Amin Nawabi as he grapples with a painful secret he has kept hidden for 20 years, one that threatens to derail the life he has built for himself and his soon to be husband. Recounted mostly through animation to director Jonas Poher Rasmussen, he tells for the first time the story of his extraordinary journey as a child refugee from Afghanistan.
WANDERING, A ROHINGYA STORY
21 June 2023 (Wednesday) 4:00-5:30 PM PST
An immersive, poetic and powerful look into the biggest refugee camp in the world, the Kutupalong refugee camp. In 2017, within a few months, 700,000 people of the Rohingya Muslim minority fled Myanmar (formerly Burma) to escape genocide and seek asylum in Bangladesh.
CAPTAINS OF ZAATARI
21 June 2023 (Wednesday) 6:00-7:30 PM PST
Two best friends Mahmoud and Fawzi living in the Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan have an undying dream of becoming professional soccer players while facing the difficult reality of their lives. When a world- renowned sports academy visits, both have a chance to make this dream come true.
A HOUSE IN PIECES
22 June 2023 (Thursday) 5:00-6:00 PM PST
A war between government and ISIS-affiliated jihadists forced hundreds of thousands to flee from Marawi, Philippines. After the battle, residents struggle to rebuild their homes and lives in a deformed city. Displaced couple Yusop and Farhanna and their children yearn for freedom, income, and comfort after returning to their city.
THE SWIMMERS
22 June 2023 (Thursday) 6:30-9:00 PM PST
Two Syrian sisters flee their war- torn home in Damascus, swim for hours in choppy Mediterranean seas to reach Greece as asylum seekers before going on to compete at the Rio Olympic Games.
WORLD REFUGEE DAY FORUM
On 22 June 2023 (1:00-3:30 PM) at the UP Asian Center, the World Refugee Day Forum moderated by UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Atom Araullo will facilitate meaningful discussions amongst relevant actors on how they can each contribute to advocating for inclusion and building hope and solutions with and for forcibly displaced and stateless persons. Join stakeholders from the Government, media, academe, and civil society in standing #WithRefugees. Admission is FREE.
For more information, please see this page.
WRD 2023 REFUGEE FILM FESTIVAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Join the screening of the Top 5 Short Film Competition entries (presented here in alphabetical order) — abay-subu, Dayuhan, Iuuli, Kargo, and Tahanan — on 22 June 2023 at the UP Film Center.
Register for FREE tickets here.
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 20 June 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.
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 and when did it start?
World Refugee Day falls each year on 20 June and is dedicated to refugees around the globe. World Refugee Day was held globally for the first time on 20 June 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. Read our World Refugee Day Live Blog to discover some of the activities that took place in 2022.