On Wednesday, June 20, 2007, the International Rescue Committee celebrates World Refugee Day, established by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as an annual salute to the courage, resilience and strength of refugees.
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IRC offices around the world are marking the occasion with a variety of events throughout the month. These are just a few:
United States
Atlanta
June 20 - "Dine Out on World Refuge Day": Participating restaurants will donate a portion of proceeds from the evening to IRC Atlanta programs. Details >
Baltimore
Jun 15 - "Voices of Refuge" Film Screening and Panel Discussion: The IRC and Por la Avenida will screen the documentaries "Rising Up: The Alams" and "On One Field: Patterson Park." IRC vice president of resettlement Bob Carey and Dr. Courtland Robinson of Johns Hopkins, which produced the controversial Iraqi death toll study, will co-host a panel discussion on refugees and displacement. There will also be traditional Iranian music and Burundian a capella performances, plus light fare and a cash bar. Details >
Boise
June 21 - "Dinner on the Farm" Benefit: Join refugees and IRC staff for a gourmet meal of organic food harvested on Noble Foods Farm. Cost is $25.00 per guest with all proceeds going to the IRC. Contact: (208) 344-1792
June 23 - "A New Home, A New Life" Art Exhibit, Sale & Auction: The IRC's Flight Portfolio of lithographs, including pieces by Marc Chagall and Joan Miro, will be on exhibit and offered for sale at the gallery June 23–30. Santa Fe artists including Bill Berra, Jim Moore, Jac Kephart, Linda St. Clair along with Portland, OR artist Li Tie and Oakland, CA artist Alfie Fernandes are donating pieces of their work for auction. All proceeds benefit the IRC's Boise office. There is a $20.00 suggested donation at the door. Wine and cheese as well as live classical guitar, refugee poetry and music round out the evening. Guests making donations over $50.00 will receive a copy of the IRC’s recently published book of refugee writings. Contact: (208) 344-1792
Boston
June 20 - “From Harm to Home” Film Screening: “From Harm to Home”—Premiere of a short documentary film produced in collaboration with Boston University’s Center for Digital Arts in Imaging. that tells the stories of refugees resettled by IRC in the greater Boston area. Screening runs from 6:30pm-8:00pm, with discussion and reception to follow film. Location: Northeastern University’s Snell Library, Room 90, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston. Contact: Gabriela Artavia, Gabriela.Artavia@theirc.org or (617) 482-1154
Charlottesville
June 19 - Reception and Awards Ceremony: The IRC Charlottesville office will bestow its annual Employer Leadership Award on the Boar's Head Inn and a Community Partner Award to the Charlottesville chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Contact: (434) 979-7772
Miami
June 20 - Candlelight Vigil: Vigil and award presentation to IRC Miami program supporters, donors and volunteers. 8-10 PM, JC Bermudez Park, 3000 NW Avenue, Doral. Contact: (305) 640-9881
New York
Jun 20 - “A New Home, A New Life” Panel Discussion: An intimate discussion with refugees about starting new lives in the New York area. Light refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the IRC, UNHCR and the Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children. Details >
Oakland
June 20 - Baseball Game: Refugees, IRC staff members and volunteers will be on hand when the Oakland A's face off against the Cincinnati Reds. An announcement about World Refugee Day will be made during the game. McAfee Coliseum, Oakland. Contact: (510) 452-8222
Phoenix
June 17 - “God Grew Tired of Us” Film Screening: Screening of a documentary about the Lost Boys of Sudan and the refugee resettlement process. A refugee speaker will share his story after the film. 6:00pm-9:00pm at Harkins Arcadia 8, 3975 E. Thomas. Contact: (602) 433-2440 ext. 241
June 19 - Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball Game: World Refugee Day will be observed at Chase Field with annoucements to the ballpark. Approximately 30 young refugees will attend the game. Contact: (602) 433-2440 ext. 231
June 20 - World Refugee Day Celebration: Cultural entertainment, refugee speakers, and information booths about resettlement agencies. Phoenix College, 5 - 9 PM. Contact: (602) 433-2440 ext. 241
June 23 - Refugee Soccer Tournament: Four Phoenix refugee soccer teams representing Bosnia, Burundi, Liberia, and Sudan will compete in this one day Soccer Tournament hosted by COAR. ASU, 3:00pm-7:00pm. Contact: (602) 433-2440 ext. 231
Sacramento
June 20 - “…and Justice for All” Conference on Material Support: This half-day conference sponsored by Opening Doors, IRC, World Relief and others will explore the impact of recent changes in federal legislation affecting refugees and asylees, as well as other immigrants and would-be immigrants. Arcade Church, Sacramento. Contact: (916) 492-259
Salt Lake City
June 23 - Refugee World Cup and Refugee Awareness Fair: The IRC is partnering with other organizations that assist refugees to host a refugee soccer tournament and an international fair featuring music and dance from refugee performance groups. Granite School, South Salt Lake City. Contact: (801) 328-1091
San Diego
June 19 - "Changing Face of San Diego": This event will feature a short film about local Somali refugees and portions of the "30 Years of Refuge" exhibit created by the IRC in San Diego. Free and open to the public. City Heights Library, 3795 Fairmount Ave. Contact: (619) 641-7510
San Francisco
June 18 - “God Grew Tired of Us” Film Screening: The documentary about the Lost Boys of Sudan and the refugee resettlement process. A panel featuring Bob Carey, IRC's vice president of resettlement; Christopher Quinn, film director; and refugee Benjamin Ajak will follow. 6:30 pm, Letterman Digital Arts Center. Contact: (415) 863-3777
Jun 20 - “Make Dining Out Count”: Make dining out count on June 20 by visiting restaurants that have partnered with the IRC and are donating a percentage of their profits on World Refugee Day. Details >
San Jose
Jun 20 - “Make Dining Out Count”: Visit restaurants that have partnered with the IRC and are donating a percentage of their profits on World Refugee Day. Details >
June 23 - Refugee Awareness Day: A celebration at San Jose City Hall with food, dancing and local speakers. Resettlement agencies, community-based organizations, and county service providers will participate. 4 - 8 PM. Contact: Rachel Lau, Rachel.Lau@theirc.org or (408) 453-3536
Seattle
Jun 19 - Capitol Hill Arts Center Showroom: “Refugee Artvocacy” — Join the IRC for a VIP reception and a free evening of art and performance. This year’s event includes performances from Laotian and Bosnian dance troupes, and features refugee artists from around the world. Details >
Washington DC
Jun 22 - “A New Home, a New Life” Open House: The Suburban Washington Resettlement Center in Siver Spring, MD will host an open house featuring slide presentations and world music. Refreshments will be served. 6 - 8 PM, 8700 Georgia Avenue, Suite 500, Silver Spring. Contact: (301) 562-8633
Around the World
London
June 25 - IRC-UK Annual Lecture and Reception: Sir Mark Malloch Brown KCMG, former UN Deputy Secretary General, will speak on the politics of humanitarianism after Iraq. Details >
IRC International Programs
In Uganda, observances will include drama, dance, poetry, voluntary HIV/AIDS counseling and testing, and a football match between refugees and IRC staff. Performances will give young Sudanese refugees born in Uganda the chance to learn more about the cultures of Sudan as they prepare to return to a home country they've never seen ... Kenya is hosting performances and presentations with the theme, "Kenya standing with refugees for a peaceful Africa"... Ethiopia will spotlight "the unheard voices of refugee children" with sports and drama ... Guinea will host a parade, speeches, drama and songs about refugees' and childrens' rights. There will be plays that spotlight violence and abuse prevention and health issues. There will also be children's sports competitions with prizes and children will perform traditional dances that reflect their cultures.
