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Celebrate World Refugee Day: June 20
Each year June 20 is World Refugee Day. It looks at the challenges and hopes that accompany refugees in their search for a new home through voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement. World Refugee Day was first internationally celebrated in 2001. Previously many countries had observed a refugee day.
UMCOR encourages congregations unable to celebrate refugee day on June 20 to set aside any Sunday on which to hold a special service devoted to refugees and other uprooted persons.
About World Refugee Day
On December 4, 2000, The General Assembly of the United Nations unanimously adopted a resolution naming June 20 as World Refugee Day. The date coincided with the already existing Africa Refugee Day.
World Refugee Day enhances the collective efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), and other concerned groups to bring attention to the situation of refugees.
The plight of people driven from their homelands by violence, oppression, and natural disaster presents a compelling challenge to United Methodists. Deeply concerned about this human suffering, UMCOR serves the denomination as its agency of refugee service.
More Resources
From the General Board of Global Ministries
- Worship Resources
- World Refugee Day 2005: Two UMCOR Church Bulletin Inserts.
- For the Healing of the Nations, a worship service prepared by UMCOR
- Vignettes of Refugee Families Helped by United Methodists: UMCOR Church Bulletin Insert
- News and Features
- UMCOR Assists Afghan Families Suffering Harsh Winter, March 12, 2005
- Our Greatest Hope: Educating Refugee Children in Liberia, New World Outlook, March/April 2004.
- Keeping the Welcome Light Burning for Refugees, GBGM, May 6, 2003.
- Bishops See Quilting as Sign of Hope in Pakistan by the Rev. Larry Hollon, UMNS, February 22, 2002.
- Afghan Refugee Women Struggle to Survive in Pakistan by Paul Jeffrey, UMNS, December 5, 2001.
Offsite Resources
- World Refugee Day 2004, UNHCR resources.
- World Refugee Day 2004 Posters
- Refugee Women, UNHCR resources.
- The Road to Refuge: BBC News Feature.
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).