Each year on 20 June, the world celebrates World Refugee Day, the designated international day to honour people who have been forced to flee conflict, war or persecution
In Brussels, Refugee Committees, with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Brussels Capital Region, are rolling out a week of action-packed activities to celebrate the strengths and contributions of refugees and reflect on the challenges they face.
On this page, you’ll find a list of the events organized from 15-23 June 2024 and other ways you can get involved to show your solidarity with refugees.
What’s on for Brussels’ Refugee Week?
CONCERTS AND BAZAAR
When? 16 June 2024 (11am-7pm)
Where? Place Jean Rey
Drop by Place Jean Rey for an outdoor concert showcasing the vibrant sounds of Burundian, Afghan, Syrian, Ukrainian, Congolese, and afro music, all performed by local and refugee artists. Lively salsa and traditional dabkeh folk dance performances also feature in the line-up!
While you’re there, don’t miss the Bazaar by the Women Refugee Committee for delicious Middle Eastern, Ukrainian, Afghan and Burundian delicacies and handmade items created by refugee artisans.
FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
When? 15 June 2024 (10am-3pm)
Where? Centre Fitfive à Forest (Rue De Lusambo 36, 1190 Forest)
Get ready for an exciting 5-a-side football tournament featuring refugee and local teams. Come cheer and enjoy a day filled with thrilling matches, sportsmanship and community spirit.
PHOTO EXHIBITION
When? 17 – 22 June 2024 (10am-8pm)
Where? Rue de la Loi 89
Explore powerful images and artwork by refugee photographers and artists at the Refugee Community Centre. The exhibition showcases the lived experiences of forcibly displaced people in Syria, Ukraine, Iraq and Gaza through the eyes of refugees.
Join us at Rue de la Loi 89 on the evening of 17 June at 6pm for the opening vernissage!
BOOK FAIR
When? 22 – 23 June 2024
Where? Rue de la Loi 89
Join us at the Refugee Community Centre for a book fair featuring a wide array of books by African authors. Explore genres ranging from literature, poetry, and comics to children’s books and manga.
MOVIE NIGHTS
When? 17 – 21 June 2024 (7pm-9.30pm)
Where? Rue de la Loi 89
Immerse yourself in a diverse selection of short and long films curated by the Refugee Committees on displacement situations across the world – from Afghanistan, Syria, Gaza, Ghana, Central America and Ukraine to the experiences of refugees in Europe.
Screenings will be held at the Refugee Community Centre for five nights – the same venue as the exhibition.
Find the full programme here: Programme Movie Nights WRD 2024
Online Toolkit
When? 14 June 2024
Where? Online
If you can’t make it to any of our in-person events, take a look at UNHCR’s online toolkit (available from 14 June). The toolkit includes an overview of this year’s World Refugee Day theme, tagline, hashtags, events and content. It also includes UNHCR’s flagship Global Trends Report on the situation of forced displacement globally, with the latest statistics.
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 20 June and the aim is to shine a light on the rights, needs and dreams of those forced to flee.
Join us this World Refugee Day and show solidarity with people forced to flee.
#SolidarityWithRefugees
Refugees need our solidarity now more than ever. Solidarity means keeping our doors open, celebrating their strengths and achievements, and reflecting on the challenges they face.
Solidarity with people forced to flee also means finding solutions to their plight – ending conflicts so they can return home in safety, ensuring they have opportunities to thrive in the communities that have welcomed them, and providing countries with the resources they need to include and support refugees.
This year, World Refugee Day focuses on solidarity with refugees – for a world where refugees are welcomed.
How can you show solidarity with refugees?
GIVE
Support young refugees to pursue higher education by donating to our Education programs.
LEARN
Discover the latest stats and trends in forced displacement globally and learn how refugees and displaced people are being impacted by the climate crisis and taking action in their communities by taking this quiz.
