World Refugee Day commences on June 20 and Christian organisations from around the world are preparing to celebrate the courage, resiliency and contributions of refugees across the globe.

From Saturday 18th and into the middle of this week, Christian groups will be holding events to highlight the challenges and victories refugees are facing away from home. From church services and events at public monuments to cultural presentations and even mock refugee camps, there will be a variety of activities planned.

The Immigration and Refugee Program of Church World Service is among the groups organising activities from June 17-22. The program is currently helping about 5,000 refugees resettle in the USA.

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), a CWS affiliate, will also hold events. LIRS President Ralson Deffenbaugh indicated the particular importance of refugee day.

He said, "We come together on World Refugee Day to celebrate the many gifts that refugees bring to our communities — courage, hope, gratitude, a positive work ethic, family values and diversity as well as exotic foods and clothing."

"As we celebrate, we are mindful of refugees’ incredible courage as they seek for a life free from persecution."

The United Nations designated June 20 as World Refugee Day in 2000, noting that 2001 would be the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. The date coincided with the previously celebrated Africa Refugee Day.

There are currently about 19.2 million refugees around the world, according to a report released today by the UN refugee agency. The figure includes refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, stateless people and some of the world's internally displaced people.

International law defines refugees as people who are unable or unwilling to return to their countries because of a well-founded fear of persectution based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

According to Human Rights Watch 78 percent of all refugees came from 10 areas: Afghanistan, Angola, Burma, Burundi, Congo-Kinshasa, Eritrea, Iraq, the Palestinian territories, Somalia and Sudan.






Francis Helguero
Christian Today Correspondent