Refugee Congress Commemorates World Refugee Day
For immediate release: June 20, 2023
WASHINGTON–Today we celebrate World Refugee Day, an international day designed by the United Nations to honor refugees around the world. Today we celebrate the ways in which refugees make this country a better place – as neighbors, coworkers, and friends. Today we also raise awareness about the unprecedented crisis of more than 100 million people who are forcibly displaced.
This year’s World Refugee Day theme is Hope Away From Home. As an organization that is built and led by refugees, we know first hand that the right to have a home and to be included is at the core of what makes a welcoming community. We call on our elected officials to create policies and processes - in partnership with refugees - that welcome and support refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless individuals, and other forcibly displaced people.
“On this World Refugee Day, I want to share my gratitude to communities around the world that provide refugees ‘Hope Away from Home.’ I also want to appreciate policymakers and other stakeholders for recognizing that inclusion of refugees is vital to not only the prosperity of the very communities which welcome them, but also to figuring out better solutions for refugees. As we're celebrating hope, let's continue to increase meaningful participation of refugees in issues that affect them here in the U.S. and abroad,” said Lourena Gboeah, Chair, Refugee Congress Board of Directors.
“World Refugee Day is a stark reminder of the journeys taken by countless refugees like myself, and the fact that we are currently facing the largest displacement crisis of our time, with over 100 million individuals forced to flee their homes. As someone who spent over a decade in a refugee camp, I understand the tribulations faced by asylum seekers, refugees, and African/Black migrants. Their paths are tread out of desperation, not choice. Upholding our shared American values of compassion and unity, let's unite and take collective action to advocate for policies that ensure fair and equitable treatment for all. Today, let's stand together and make a difference, Dauda Sesay, Vice Chair, Refugee Congress Board of Directors.
“World Refugee Day is a time to celebrate the talents, the joy, and the resilience of refugees, and to celebrate the countless ways in which refugees enrich our communities – as friends, as neighbors, as colleagues, and as leaders. It is also the time to act, and to partner with refugees in crafting solutions to ensure that our pathways are equitable and inclusive,” said Nili Sarit Yossinger, Executive Director at Refugee Congress.
"Everyone deserves to feel safe, loved, and welcome in a place they call home. This year, World Refugee Day symbolizes a time for communities to recognize the value of being genuinely welcoming and intentional about the inclusion of newcomers, as this creates a culture and environment where all residents feel empowered to work with each other in strengthening the social, civic, and economic fabric of our community,” Sharon Njie, Refugee Congress Delegate for Louisiana.
“World Refugee Day is an important reminder for our country that refugees are the backbone of this country's culture, economy, and its spirit of freedom,” Felix Shipkevich, Member, Refugee Congress Board of Directors.
“Today the U.N. announced that more than 110 million people worldwide are currently in search of refuge - the highest number since record-keeping began. Forced to flee by war, conflict, oppression, economic collapse, political instability, and climate change, they’ve left their lives and loved ones behind. As World Refugee Day approaches on June 20, we should honor the courage and resilience of those faced with the difficult decision to flee—and those who have offered displaced people the community and security they need,” Atem Aleu, Refugee Congress Delegate for Utah.
“On this year's World Refugee Day, I call on everyone to remember that refugee children and youth also deserve a positive, safe, and welcoming space to acquire high-quality education wherever they resettle. Education is vital to building understanding between the newcomers and the citizens of their new home and a path to healing and success,” Elvina Htoo, Refugee Congress Delegate for Colorado.
“On this World Refugee Day, we confront the reality that countless people in every corner of the world are currently becoming refugees. They are not simply statistics; they are mothers, fathers, children, friends, neighbors, and leaders. The wars, conflicts, persecutions, and foreign policy decisions that force their displacement rip at the threads of our global community. Our collective duty is to strive for a world free from this forced displacement and champion refugee leadership to address these crises at their roots. Our unwavering commitment fuels this hope - that future World Refugee Days will stand as memorials to a surmounted past, rather than symbols of our present challenges,” Ayda Zugay, Refugee Congress Delegate for Massachusetts.
Learn about other World Refugee Day celebrations across the U.S. here.
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Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by refugees, asylum seekers, and other forcibly displaced people to promote the well-being, integration and dignity of all vulnerable migrants. With delegates across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we use our voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical domestic and international issues that affect our communities.
MEDIA CONTACT: (202) 905-6238, media@refugeecongress.org
