What is World Refugee Day?
Published
World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. Each year on June 20, it celebrates the strength and courage of people who have no choice but to flee their home country. World Refugee Day was held globally for the first time on June 20, 2001, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.
What happens on World Refugee Day?
Each year, World Refugee Day is celebrated with various events in many countries around the globe in support of refugees. Immigrants, government officials, host groups, businesses, actors, school children, and members of the general public, among others, participate in these events each year.
This year, the World Refugee Day theme focuses on "Solidarity with Refugees." It advocates for open doors, celebrating their strengths, addressing their challenges, and finding solutions to their situation.
Integrating refugees into the communities where they have found safety after fleeing conflict and persecution is the most effective way to help them restart their lives and enable them to contribute to their host countries.
Events will happen this year and can be found using hashtags #WorldRefugeeDay, #WithRefugees, and #RefugeeDay on social media.
For more information
- What does the word “refugee” mean? - An article from WelcomeOntario.
- How does the Canadian Refugee protection system work? - An article from WelcomeOntario.
- Claiming refugee protection, explains how people arriving in Canada or who are already in Canada can apply for refugee protection by making a refugee claim to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB).
- How is a refugee claim decision made? - An article from Settlement.Org that explains the decision process by the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) after making a refugee claim.