World Refugee Day 2024 Celebrations Event – “United for Refugees: Celebrating Strength and Resilience”

Join us on World Refugee Day, June 20th, 2024, for an inspiring event dedicated to showing solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers. Hosted by Hope for Refugees International (HRI), in collaboration with other partners, this event aims to honor the strength, courage, and resilience of refugees in Canada and worldwide.

Context

The global refugee crisis has reached unprecedented levels, with over 108.4 million people displaced by conflict, persecution, and violence in 2022 alone. World Refugee Day, designated by the United Nations, shines a spotlight on refugees’ rights, needs, and dreams, emphasizing the importance of welcoming and supporting those forced to flee.

Theme

This year’s theme, “Solidarity with Refugees – For a World Where Refugees are Welcomed,” highlights the need for a collective commitment to provide refuge and support for refugees. As we celebrate within Pride Month, we also recognize and honor LGBTQ+ refugees, celebrating their resilience and contributions to creating an inclusive society.

This significant event will be held on Thursday, June 20th, 2024, at 163 Queen St E, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON M5A 1S1, from 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm.

Event Objectives

• Celebrate Achievements: Recognize and celebrate the talents, achievements, and resilience of refugees.

• Raise Awareness: Educate attendees about the challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers.
• Mobilize Support: Gather support from key stakeholders, including policymakers, community leaders, and service providers to show their solidarity for refugees.
• Advocate for increased collaboration and funding for refugee-serving organizations.
• Launch the “ReproRights for Refugees Campaign” aimed at addressing sexual and reproductive health issues among Black refugees and asylum seekers.

Activities

Speeches and Messages of Solidarity:

• Hear from refugee leaders, policymakers, community leaders, and partners about their work and commitment to supporting refugees.
• Engage with heartfelt messages reflecting on the importance of solidarity and support for refugees.

Refugee Voices and Stories

• Listen to inspirational stories from refugees, highlighting their journeys of survival, courage, and resilience.
• Celebrate their strengths and achievements, and reflect on the challenges they face.

Talent and Creativity Showcase

• Enjoy performances by refugees, spoken word, rap, singing, dancing, drumming, and gymnastics, and artistic painting.
• Appreciate the diverse talents and creativity of refugees, especially Black African refugees.

Service and Resource Exhibition

• Interact with refugees, asylum seekers, and refugee-serving agencies showcasing their services and resources.
• Learn about the support available and provide feedback on the needs of the refugee community.

Launch of the “ReproRights for Refugees Camp   aign”

• Introduce a new campaign focused on raising awareness about sexual and reproductive health rights among Black refugees and asylum seekers.
• Address barriers, stigma, myths, and misconceptions that limit access to essential sexual and reproductive health services.

Expectations for Participants Attending World Refugee Day 2024

• Participants can expect to hear powerful and inspiring speeches from policymakers, refugee advocates, and individuals with lived experiences of displacement. These presentations will highlight the challenges faced by refugees and celebrate their strength, courage, and resilience.
• Attendees will have the opportunity to network with key stakeholders, including representatives from government agencies, nonprofit organizations, community leaders, and other participants. This will provide a platform for sharing ideas, building partnerships, and fostering collaboration to support refugee communities.
• The event will feature cultural performances showcasing the talents and creativity of refugees, including music, dance, spoken word, and art exhibitions. These performances will celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of refugee communities and provide a vibrant and enriching experience for participants.
• Participants can engage in interactive sessions focused on various topics such as refugee rights, access to healthcare, employment opportunities, and advocacy strategies. These sessions will provide practical knowledge, skills, and resources to support refugees and asylum seekers effectively.
• Attendees will be introduced to new and ongoing advocacy campaigns, such as the “ReproRights for Refugees Campaign.” These campaigns aim to raise awareness about critical issues affecting refugees, particularly Black and LGBTQ+ refugees, and encourage participants to take action and support these initiatives.

Register Here