Art Therapy session on the theme of ‘solidarity’ resulted in diverse artworks, ranging from family and friendship to environmental issues and women’s rights. (Photo: UNHCR/ Aiaru Siyaz)
On 20 June each year, organizations, groups, communities around the world come together to mark World Refugee Day and celebrate the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee. With the number of forcibly displaced people at a record high, World Refugee Day 2024 focused on showing solidarity #WithRefugees. Events and activities sought to honour refugees, reflect on the challenges they face, and appeal for solutions to their plight.
In 2024, activities and events across Central Asia to mark World Refugee Day included:
Art Therapy on the theme of ‘solidarity’
UNHCR, Jarqyn KIMEP and Jarqyn NARXOZ organized an Art Therapy session in Almaty on the theme of “solidarity”, bringing together university students – from KIMEP and NARXOZ universities and including DAFI refugee scholars – alongside members of Jarqyn Project, to celebrate the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee, as well as foster empathy, solidarity, and mutual understanding among the youth.
Led by a professional psychologist from Jarqyn Project, students heard about the rights, needs and dreams of refugees, and explored the psychological dimensions of solidarity, before expressing their interpretations through art.
The session ended with participants sharing the thinking and meaning behind their diverse artworks, ranging from family and friendship to environmental issues and women’s rights.
Football matches for children and adults
UNHCR partner, Red Crescent Society, organized football games for children and adults from the refugee and host community in Almaty, promoting community spirit and teamwork.
Football game participants with Red Crescent Society and UNHCR representatives. (Photo: UNHCR)
Separate games were held for children and adults, fostering community spirit and teamwork. (Photo: UNHCR/ Diana Assenova)
Public movie screenings
UNHCR held free public movie screenings of ‘The Swimmers’ at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) in Almaty and American Corners in Astana. The movie is based on the incredible true story of Syrian refugee – and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador – Yusra Mardini, who made the treacherous journey to Europe at just 17 years old, found refuge in Germany, and was selected to compete as part of the inaugural Refugee Olympic Team at the 2016 Olympics.
At KazNU University, the screening was opened with remarks from Acting UNHCR Representative for Central Asia, Dumitru Lipcanu, and KazNU Dean of International Relations Faculty, Leila Delovarova.
Attendees of the public movie screening at American Corners. (Photo: UN/ Nikita Shabaev)
A mini-quiz on refugees and refugee rights followed the movie. (Photo: UNHCR/ Diana Assenova)
Summer Camp for refugee teenagers
UNHCR, Red Crescent Society, KazNU and DAFI refugee scholars, co-organised a three-day ‘empowerment’ summer camp for refugee teenagers in Almaty. The day camp sought to develop leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills of the teens, while building confidence and cultivating a supportive community through teamwork and shared experiences.
The camp featured sessions on: leadership and prevention of bullying by Y-PEER; marketing by Kazakhstani video content producer Bikhanym Begaly; entrepreneurship by the KIMEP Entrepreneurship Club; and financial literacy by KazNU professor, Aida Erimpasheva; as well as outdoor games, a workshop on healthy habits, and creation of a shared dreams and goals vision board.
On the final day, two successful women – Asma Rabi, an Afghan journalist based in the UK and Mohadese Sameem, the first Afghan female pilot – shared their motivational stories with the teenagers.
Held at the KazNU campus, the summer camp reflected the university’s commitment to Quality Education (SDG4), Good Health and Well-being (SDG3), and ensuring no one is left behind in achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Exhibition and public movie screening
With the help of the Refugee Youth Group, UNHCR held a photo exhibition and free public movie screening in the National Historical Museum of the Kyrgyz Republic in Bishkek.
Representatives from the Parliament, Ministries of Labour, Social Security and Migration, Justice, Interior Affairs, Emergency Situations, Education and Science, UN agencies, and development partners attended the event, honouring the resilience and determination of refugees around the world.
Two young women from the Refugee Youth Group emceed the event, with Head of Refugee Department at the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Migration Zhumabek Myrzabaev, UN Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic Antje Grawe, and Head of UNHCR National Office the Kyrgyz Republic Elena Guseva delivering welcoming speeches.
Movie 'The Swimmers' is based on the incredible true story of Syrian refugee and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Yusra Mardini. (Photo: UNHCR/ Zhanybek Sultanbekov)
Refugee Youth Group members emceed the World Refugee Day event at the National Historical Museum. (Photo: UNHCR/ Zhanybek Sultanbekov)
UN Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic Antje Grawe delivered welcoming remarks. (Photo: UNHCR/ Zhanybek Sultanbekov)
A photo exhibition with refugee stories was displayed at the event in the National Historical Museum. (Photo: UNHCR/ Zhanybek Sultanbekov)
Power of Resilience Exhibition
Created by UNHCR, the “Power of Resilience” exhibition showcased 10 individual, meaningful objects brought by refugees when they were forced to flee their homes. Each item was accompanied by their story, in Tajik and English, offering a glimpse into their lived experiences.
“I’m here in Tajikistan, getting my education. But my friend, and all the girls back home, they can’t even go to school. This box, it holds more than just jewelry. It reminds me how lucky I am, how precious it is to be able to learn” – says Sherzad Marjon, a refugee from Afghanistan, about the jewelry box that his friend gave him before he left the country.
A photo exhibition further enriched their narratives, fostering a deeper human connection to the refugee journey.
Futsal competition
UNHCR partnered with the Tajikistan Football Federation to host a “Solidarity Cup” Futsal Competition at the Youth Center of Vahdat. Fifty teenagers, including 10 girls, formed 10 teams to compete in the tournament. Additionally, 40 children participated in an “OFARIN” relay race, with participants receiving prizes and enjoying music and dancing organized by UNHCR partner “Refugees, Children and Vulnerable Citizens” (RCVC).
As of January 2024, Central Asia hosts 7,636 refugees and 3,075 asylum-seekers, mostly from Afghanistan. On World Refugee Day 2024, partners across the sub-region highlighted the need for inclusion, enabling refugees to get an education, provide for their families, and forge friendships with neighbours; opportunities, for refugees to thrive and contribute to the communities hosting them; and peace, so they can return home safely.
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