WORLD REFUGEE DAY
On December 4, 2000, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution naming 20 June as World Refugee Day.
An internationally recognized World Refugee Day is an opportunity to salute the indomitable spirit of the world’s refugees, and as such it should be a day of solidarity and celebration. Around the world, this day of festivity and tribute is expressed in a hundred different ways, from stand-up comics and rock concerts to conferences and memorial services. It is a day in which we think about the world’s refugees, and extend to them our encouragement, support and respect.
The theme for World Refugee Day 2010 is “HOME”. In Toronto, we are focussing on the theme of children – that “every child has the right to a safe place to call home”. In this spirit, we have launched a Child and Youth Poetry Contest on Human Rights in Toronto schools, winners to be announced on June 20, 2010. Of the 34.4 million people of concern to UNHCR, almost half are children. They include children who are refugees, asylum seekers and stateless as well as returnee and internally displaced children assisted and protected by UNHCR. The refugee agency is dedicated to addressing the needs of all children of its concern to ensure they have a safe place to call home.
In Canada, the UN Refugee Agency in Toronto in collaboration with Luminato Festival is celebrating World Refugee Day on June 20 at Queen’s North from 12:30 to 6:00 p.m. (http://www.luminato.com/2010/events/156).
On June 11, an evening with refugee artists and musicians is planned at Creasians Restaurant (3 Gerrard St. East) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information visit www.unhcr.ca