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Get ready to celebrate Refugee Week on June 20, a week dedicated to raising awareness and celebrating the resilience of refugees. This annual event started in the UK in 1998 and has since spread to many countries around the world. It's a time to recognize the contributions that refugees make to their new communities and to educate ourselves about refugee issues. From cultural events to fundraising activities, there are many ways to get involved and show support for refugees during this meaningful week. So let's come together and celebrate the strength, courage, and spirit of those who have been forced to flee their homes.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1951</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>UN Refugee Convention</div><div class='timeline-text'>The UN Refugee Convention, a key legal document in defining who is a refugee, their rights, and the legal obligations of states, was adopted.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>US Refugee Act Becomes Law</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Refugee Act of 1980 marks the first general refugee policy for the United States, establishing processes for refugees to apply for and receive federal financial assistance.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1998</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Refugee Week in UK</div><div class='timeline-text'>The UK initiated the first Refugee Week as a national event to raise understanding and celebrate the contributions of refugees.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2001</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>World Refugee Day Established</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations established June 20 as World Refugee Day, marking it as an opportunity for the world to commemorate the strength, courage, and resilience of millions of refugees.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Refugee Week Goes Global</div><div class='timeline-text'>More countries join into observing Refugee Week, making it an international event promoting unity and understanding.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Digital Refugee Week due to COVID-19</div><div class='timeline-text'>Due to the global pandemic, Refugee Week activities moved to digital platforms, proving the resilience and adaptability of the refugee community and their supporters.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a cultural festival</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check your local community for any cultural festivals celebrating Refugee Week. This is a great way to experience different cultures and learn more about the refugee experience.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer at a refugee organization</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find a local refugee organization and offer your time and skills to support their efforts in helping refugees in your community. This could include assisting with language classes, job training, or mentorship programs.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a film screening</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Host a movie night with films that highlight the refugee experience. This can spark meaningful discussions and educate others about the challenges and triumphs of refugees.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a donation drive</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather friends and family to collect donations for refugees in need. This could include clothing, household items, or monetary donations to support local organizations helping refugees.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Share refugee stories</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Use your social media platforms to share personal stories of refugees and their journeys. This can help raise awareness and promote empathy and understanding for the refugee experience.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings awareness to the plight of refugees</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Refugee Week serves as a reminder that there are millions of individuals and families around the world who are forced to flee their homes due to violence, war, and persecution. By shedding light on their struggles, this week helps educate and inform people about the current global refugee crisis.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates the contributions of refugees</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Refugees bring diversity, culture, skills, and resilience to their new communities. Refugee Week is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions that they make to society in various fields such as art, music, science, and entrepreneurship. It also highlights the importance of welcoming refugees into our communities.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It advocates for refugee rights</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>One of the main goals of Refugee Week is to advocate for the rights of refugees and promote policies that protect and support them. This week provides a platform for organizations and individuals to raise their voices against discrimination, xenophobia, and unjust laws that target refugees. It also encourages people to take action and support organizations that work towards improving the lives of refugees.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Refugee Week events take place in over 100 countries </h3><p class='facts-content'>Since its establishment, Refugee Week has grown internationally with community events taking place in over 100 countries, demonstrating global solidarity and understanding.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Refugee Week promotes language diversity</h3><p class='facts-content'>One out of every five refugees is multilingual. Refugee Week showcases this linguistic diversity as a positive aspect of cultural exchange, often hosting language exchange workshops as part of its program.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Women and children make up about 80% of refugees</h3><p class='facts-content'>According to the United Nations, approximately 80% of the refugee population worldwide is comprised of women and children. Refugee Week serves to highlight their unique challenges and resilience.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Refugee Week is led by a coalition of organisations</h3><p class='facts-content'>In the UK, Refugee Week is delivered in partnership by several leading organisations in the refugee sector, including The Refugee Council and Amnesty International UK among others. This coordinated approach ensures the week has a wide impact on awareness and advocacy. </p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Refugee Week challenges media stereotypes of refugees</h3><p class='facts-content'>Through sharing real stories of refugees and their journeys, Refugee Week helps to challenge negative stereotypes and misconceptions that are often perpetuated in the media, encouraging a more nuanced understanding.</p></div></div>
Refugee Week is celebrated on June 20 every year. In 2024, Refugee Week will occur on a Thursday.
2023
Jun 20
Tuesday
2024
Jun 20
Thursday
2025
Jun 20
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2026
Jun 20
Saturday
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