The UNHCR Office in Cyprus has teamed up with diverse partners this year to mark World Refugee Day with a number of dedicated events. Join us!
Take a Step #WithRefugees
© UNHCR
This year on World Refugee Day, UNHCR is calling on everyone to take a step #WithRefugees. Taking a step can literally mean walking or running to show solidarity with refugees; in our global Step with Refugees Campaign every step counts. It can also mean taking positive steps to welcome refugees into new communities. This could include hosting them, teaching them a language or a new skill, or employing them to work for your company or organisation. By showing that millions of people all over the world are taking a step with refugees, we inspire others to join in.
Every year on June 20th, World Refugee Day, we honour refugees all over the world, and pay tribute to their courage and resilience. On World Refugee Day, we want to show that families forced to flee are people like you and me. The annual commemoration is marked with actions and events in cities and communities all over the world. These are opportunities to celebrate diversity and inclusion among host communities.
Today, forced displacement is a global phenomenon. No continent is unaffected. Several countries are hosting more than one million refugees, and interlocking conflicts have uprooted people across entire regions. Overwhelmingly it is developing countries which host more than 80% of the world’s 29.5 million refugees. In a world where conflict, violence and persecution forces thousands of families to flee for their lives each day, the time is now for the global public to show solidarity with refugees.
In communities all around the world, individuals are making a difference. People from all walks of life, are unified in their efforts to choose inclusion over exclusion. With millions displaced people all over the world, more than half of whom are children, the role of communities is vital in supporting refugees, ensuring their inclusion in society, and helping them rebuild their lives.
While governments have agreed on a Global Compact on Refugees in December 2018, simple acts of kindness among people can make all the difference in the lives of the most vulnerable in our societies. Join us and take a step #WithRefugees. Show your support towards refugees, all of whom should have a safe place to live, have access to education and be able to work to support their families.
The UNHCR Office in Cyprus has teamed up with diverse partners this year to mark World Refugee Day with a number of dedicated events in Nicosia and Larnaca starting on Tuesday 11 June, and concluding on Monday 24 June.
Our major highlight this World Refugee Day will be a dedicated concert on 20 June by the internationally acclaimed Cypriot artist Alexia, who will be performing together with refugee children and other special guests in a historic venue in the centre of Nicosia. Save the date!
NICOSIA
Tuesday 11 June, 09:00-11:00
HelpRefugeesWork Business Breakfast – UNHCR Cyprus and the Cyprus Refugee Council are organising a Business Breakfast for the HelpRefugeesWork Platform. The aim of the event is to network and discuss about the opportunities, challenges and benefits that derive for businesses and the local society, from the integration of persons with International Protection in the labour market. Communication Sponsor for the event is InBusiness.
More info: https://cyrefugeecouncil.org/helprefugeeswork-business-breakfast-11-06-2019/
Wednesday 12 June, 18:30-20:00
Sistema Cyprus in Concert in an event dedicated to World Refugee Day. At the Open Amphitheatre of the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, Faneromeni, Nicosia. The Sistema Cyprus Orchestra is composed of 75 children from Nicosia and Larnaca with diverse refugee, migrant and Cypriot backgrounds who will be performing under the direction of maestro Petros Stylianou. The concert aims to communicate messages of respect, acceptance and integration of refugees into our society. Under the auspices of UNHCR Cyprus. Entrance Free. Donations to Sistema Cyprus welcomed.
More info: Facebook Event Page
Friday 14 June, 18:00-22:00
6th Annual World Refugee Day Street Festival at Faneromeni Square in Nicosia, with the participation of refugees living in Cyprus. There will be world music, food from different countries, children’s activities and info stands. If you are interested in volunteering, this is a great opportunity to talk to representatives of different organisations in Cyprus that are working with refugees and find out more. Organised by the Cyprus Refugee Council and Cyprus Aware, under the auspices of UNCHR Cyprus and the Municipality of Nicosia.
More info: Facebook Event Page
WORLD REFUGEE DAY: Thursday 20 June, 20:30
ALEXIA Live in Concert at the Costanza Moat, Nicosia.
Alexia represents, honours and recognizes the refugee communities in Cyprus, bringing all her musical influences to shed light on the multi-cultural aspect of Cyprus throughout the centuries. The internationally acclaimed artist will present iconic songs from all over the world, in Armenian, Ladino, French, Arabic, Cypriot and Greek. Alexia will be accompanied by a 4-piece orchestra and select songs will be performed together with refugee and Cypriot children and other special guests.
Under the auspices of the UNHCR Cyprus and co-organized by the Ministry of Interior of Cyprus – European Funds Unit, Youth Board of Cyprus and the Municipality of Nicosia. Entrance free.
More info: Facebook Event Page
Friday 21 June, 19:00-23:00
Fork Food Market at the Nicosia Municipal Gardens. This Fork Food event is dedicated to World Refugee Day. Among the food vendors Fork Food presents refugee chefs cooking up delicious dishes from Arabic, Ethiopian and Somali cuisines. Organised in collaboration with UNHCR Cyprus.
More info: Facebook Event Page
Friday 21 June, 18:30 – 23:30
‘Better Together’ event at the Lefkelilen Hanı / Lefkeliler Inn (behind Buyuk Han / Great Inn) within the walled city of Nicosia. Featuring musical performances, food stands from various countries, face-painting and information stands of various organisations. Co-organised by Refugee Rights Association together with SOS Children’s Village.
Monday 24 June, 16:00-18:00
Occupational Therapy with Refugees and Asylum-Seekers – End of Spring Semester Event taking place at the Nicosia Municipality Multifunctional Foundation. The team of the Occupational Therapy Program of the European University Cyprus hosts a celebration of inclusion and appreciation as the Spring Semester Clinical Practice Program with Refugees and Asylum-Seekers is coming to an end.
More info: Facebook Event Page
PAFOS
Saturday 22 June, 10:00-14:00
Caritas in Paphos is inviting members of the public to attend an open day on Saturday to meet some of the refugees that they are helping and hear their stories. The event will be held at the Latin Parish Centre, on the Tomb of the Kings Road in Chlorakas. With support from UNHCR.
More info: https://www.facebook.com/CaritasCyprus
LARNACA
Monday 24 June, 18:00-22:00
World Refugee Day Festival at the Finikoudes stage area of the Larnaca seafront, with the participation of refugees living in Cyprus. The event will include world music and performances as well as food stands featuring flavours from all over the world, prepared by refugees. Organised by OASIS together with Open Societies and the Municipality of Larnaca, with support from UNHCR Cyprus.
More info: Facebook Event Page
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Saturday 15 June, 17:00-22:00
Cheering Diversity, Celebration of Cultures at New Genesis Center, 17, Perikleous Street, 1010, Nicosia. Organised by the SIMRA programme supporting migrant women and the New Genesis Center. There will be food from different countries prepared by refugees and storytelling by refugees.
Thursday 20 June, 10:00
The Commissioner for Administration and Protection of Human Rights (Ombudsman), Ms Maria Stylianou-Lottides and her team will be visiting refugees and children at the New Genesis Center. After her visit, the refugees will celebrate World Refugee Day with music, food and games.
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