World Refugee Day 2003: Greece
World Refugee Day 2003: Greece
At the World Refugee Day press conference, UNHCR's Representative spoke on refugee youth in Greece and around the world. The agency's protection officer also touched on the latest developments on asylum harmonisation in European Union and UNHCR's expectations of the Thessaloniki summit from June 19-21.
On June 20, UNHCR opened an information stand at Syntagma Square, the most central subway station in Athens. Staff and volunteers distributed UNHCR promotional materials to passers-by, who watched screenings of three UNHCR videos - "Facing Our Future", "We Were There - A. Jolie" and "Working with Refugees".
The Greek Council for Refugees organised a four-day festival that included an exhibition, a multicultural concert and cultural workshops (involving painting, theatre, music and video art) for refugees and the local population.
The Social Work Foundation held an event at the Multicultural Centre that brought refugees together with the local community. Refugee children performed a play while refugee women offered traditional food.