About World Refugee Day 2008
© UNHCR photo
On June 20, we celebrate World Refugee Day. This year, events around the world focus on the fundamental need for protection. For some, this means economic security; for others, protection is freedom from violence and persecution. On World Refugee Day, we turn our attention to the millions of refugees who live without material, social and legal protection.
Since its foundation in 1951, UNHCR has protected tens of millions of refugees. For us, protection consists of tangible improvements in the lives of forcibly displaced people - from the provision of food and shelter to support for those lacking legal status or those wishing to return to their home countries. On World Refugee Day, we commemorate this vital engagement.
Protection is also about raising awareness. We cannot protect refugees if their plight remains invisible. On World Refugee Day, we will highlight the universal nature of protection. Not only are refugees protected all around the globe, but the responsibility for protection is equally global.
Ultimately, protection is a challenge that knows no borders. Neither can it be left to a single agency to provide. On World Refugee Day, we are launching a global call for action. We want to promote engagement at the grassroots level, in local communities, workplaces and online. Only through a global network of supporters can we meet the manifold needs of protection.
How can you help?
Online social utilities provide excellent tools for advocacy. Become a fan on Facebook, support our cause and share our videos, photos and latest news with your friends. You can also find us on MySpace, YouTube and Flickr.
-
Regional Roundtable on the Role of Faith-Based Organizations in Addressing Displacement in MENA
7 Dec 2021 The purpose of the meeting was to explore the role of religion in promoting universal understanding and respect of human dignity, and faith-based responsibility towards displaced people and refugees. The main goal of the roundtable was to formulate commitments or pledges from religious actors in the region to refugees at a time of heightened tensions in some places towards the GRF. -
Second Regional Roundtable On Enhancing Dialogue and Partnership Between Academia and UNHCR on Regional Displacement Issues
7 Dec 2021 The second regional academia roundtable, co-hosted by UNHCR, the WANA Institute and the Columbia Global Center | Amman saw the participation of over 40 participants from various think tanks, academic institutions and research centers from across the MENA region. This gathering provided a platform for academia to frame its role in influencing policy, programs and discourse related to displacement in the MENA region in the context of major global processes including the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF). -
Roundtable on Enhancing Dialogue and Partnership between Academia and Humanitarian Actors on Regional Displacement Crises in the Middle East and North Africa Region
7 Dec 2021 Organized by the UNHCR MENA Policy Unit, in partnership with the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute, the first of its kind regional roundtable for academia brought together academics, think tanks, research centers, and university professors from 12 countries to discuss their role in humanitarian interventions. The discussions brought to light challenges that academia faces, and generated concrete suggestions and good practices in relation to solutions. -
The First MENA Roundtable on the Role of Art and Culture in Addressing Displacement
7 Dec 2021 The roundtable was the first of its kind in the region and aimed to discuss how artists and cultural actors can shape public narratives and expand the space for constructive dialogues, particularly in relation to social cohesion between refugees and host communities. The roundtable provided a platform for over 50 artists and cultural actors to frame their role in issues related to displacement in MENA and share successful practices of promoting refugee inclusion. -
Mayors Forum for Inclusive Cities in North Africa Outcomes Report
7 Dec 2021 The Mayor's Forum for Inclusive Cities in North Africa brought together mayors, municipality authorities and civil society organisation representatives from major refugee hosting cities in Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia and Mauritania. The forum was hosted by UNHCR under the supervision of the Mayor of Tunis and aimed to build a common platform of good practices and learning among cities and with UNHCR, on the challenges and opportunities facing sustainable policy design and operational for inclusive cities. -
Briefing to the United Nations Security Council
7 Dec 2021 -
Evaluation of UNHCR's engagement in humanitarian-development cooperation Sep 2021
7 Dec 2021 This report contains the findings of an evaluation of UNHCR's engagement in humanitarian-development cooperation (Sep 2018 - March 2021). The evaluation was commissioned by UNHCR due to recent high-level policy developments and initiatives, such as the 2016 Global Compact on Refugees, in order to support a more comprehensive response to displacement, involving both humanitarian and development actors. Attachments: Executive Summary, Management Response and Annexes (.zip) -
Age Gender and Diversity Tip sheet - Helping to ensure AGD inclusive pledges and good practices for the GRF (ENG, 2021)
6 Dec 2021 This Tip Sheet builds on the progress made at the 2019 Global Refugee Forum (GRF) to help ensure pledges address gaps related to age, gender, and diversity (AGD), including disability, in refugee responses. -
Anna Drijver
Anna Drijver has been supporting UNHCR since 2018.