ABOUT
The City of Toronto will join the world on June 20, 2010 in celebrating World Refugee Day.
It was in December 2000, that the United Nations General Assembly designated June 20 as World Refugee Day with the aim of bringing attention to the plight of the world’s refugees and to offer support, encouragement 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”. 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.
Refugee day is also an occasion 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 different ways, from stand-up comics and rock concerts to conferences and memorial services.
In Canada, the United Nations agency for Refugees, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is planning various events to mark World Refugee Day in Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa and Toronto, and to support similar community events across the country.
For more information on other city and community events visit: unhcr.ca