Established by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2000, World Refugee Day has been recognized globally since June 20, 2001. It serves to focus the world’s attention on the plight, resilience, hopes, and dreams of refugees around the globe. Many events are led by or include refugees or are hosted by governments, agencies, and other organizations to tell stories, share information, and increase support for refugees.
World Refugee Day is a wonderful opportunity for you and your congregation to learn more about refugees, engage with your ecumenical neighbors, and/or reach out to your local community.
Below are some links and resources gathered from the UN and some of our denominational leaders/partners to help you and your church plan an event. It could be as simple as including some of the resources in your worship service one Sunday around June 20 or hosting a bible study or discussion group. With some creativity, however, there are innumerable ways to connect with your fellow Christians and community.
If you would like my assistance in starting the conversation or planning for your congregation’s World RefugeeDay, feel free to contact me. If you are already hosting an event or special worship service, let me know and I can share the invitation here.
Resources:
From UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency:
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 June 20 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.
World Refugee Day 2022
Whoever they are, people forced to flee should be treated with dignity. Anyone can seek protection, regardless of who they are or what they believe. It is non-negotiable: seeking safety is a human right.
Wherever they come from, people forced to flee should be welcomed. Refugees come from all over the globe. To get out of harm’s way, they might take a plane, a boat, or travel on foot. What remains universal is the right to seek safety.
Whenever people are forced to flee, they have a right to be protected. Whatever the threat – war, violence, persecution – everyone deserves protection. Everyone has a right to be safe.
What does seeking safety mean?
1. Right to seek asylum: Anyone fleeing persecution, conflict, or human rights abuses has a right to seek protection in another country.
2. Safe access: Borders should remain open to all people forced to flee. Restricting access and closing borders can make the journey even more dangerous for people seeking safety.
3. No pushbacks: People can’t be forced to return to a country if their life or freedom would be at risk. This means that countries shouldn’t push anyone back without first evaluating the dangers they would face back home.
4. No discrimination: People should not be discriminated against at borders. All applications for refugeestatus must be given fair consideration, regardless of factors like race, religion, gender and country of origin.
5. Humane treatment: People forced to flee should be treated with respect and dignity. They are entitled to safe and dignified treatment like any human being. Among other things, this means keeping families together, protecting people from traffickers, and avoiding arbitrary detention.
Read our World Refugee Day Live Blog to discover some of the activities that took place in 2021.
From denominational leaders/agencies:
Lutheran
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church
Presbyterian Church, USA
Episcopal Church
Reformed Church in America
Refugee Council, USA
