UN World Refugee Day, 20 June

As part of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 2000, the General Assembly unanimously adopted the proposal to stage World Refugee Day on 20th June.

The first International Refugee Day was celebrated on June 20, 2001. Whereas many countries had acknowledged a Refugee Day in the past, this was the first time that countries across the globe celebrated this day in unison.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said:

“Refugees are ordinary people, too, except that through no fault of their own, they find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. As such, they are often required to dig deep into their own inner sources of strength”

“It takes courage to be a refugee. Courage not to give up hope and to make the most of the hand that has been dealt. Courage to start a new life against daunting odds, eventually to become contributing and enriching members of society once more.”

Diversitat is proud to support International Refugee Week and UN World Refugee Day. We hope you will consider the hundreds of refugees in our country who are trying to re-establish a safe and happy home for themselves and their families.

“As different as they are from each other, one thing connects them all: hope for a better future and a chance to restore lasting peace to their lives.”

For more information:

www.refugeecouncil.org.au

International Refugee Week 19th-25th June 2011

International Refugee Week is an annual activity to inform the public about refugees and celebrate positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society, and here in Geelong at Diversitat there is plenty to celebrate!

Michael Martinez, CEO Diverstitat said: 

“This week we thank all our volunteers and staff who dedicate so much time and support for our refugee clients, we also acknowledge all our clients and their communities and their ongoing struggles both here and importantly abroad.”

2011 International Refugee Week was a great success. Many refugee’s new arrivals, volunteers, staff and community members celebrated this significant week.