What is World Refugee Day?

World Refugee Day is held every year on June 20 and is observed worldwide. The day recognises the courage, strength, and resilience of people who have been forced to flee their homes. It highlights the rights of refugees and the importance of safety, shelter, and dignity.

Refugees leave their countries not by choice but out of necessity. This day brings their stories to the foreground and reminds the world of the value of empathy and shared responsibility. It is also a time to focus on long-term solutions and support for integration and rebuilding lives.

In the Netherlands, the day is marked with events in schools, museums, and public spaces. Organisations and municipalities organise activities that include storytelling, exhibitions, and cultural performances.

History and Origin

World Refugee Day was established by the United Nations in 2000 and was first observed in 2001. The date, June 20, was chosen to align with the already established African Refugee Day, creating a unified global moment of awareness.

The observance also commemorates the 1951 Refugee Convention, a key international agreement that outlines the definition of a refugee and the rights and protections they are entitled to receive. The Convention has shaped refugee policy across the world for decades.

The day has grown into a worldwide platform for showing support to displaced people. It combines public awareness with policy focus and encourages both local and global action.

Who participates in World Refugee Day?

• Refugees and displaced persons: Share their stories and build awareness around their experiences.
• Support organisations: Offer services, organise events, and provide resources for refugees.
• Schools and teachers: Teach about refugee issues and create space for empathy and dialogue.
• Governments and local councils: Promote inclusion and recognise the contributions of refugees.
• Community members: Attend events, volunteer, or share messages of solidarity.

Slogans and Themes

World Refugee Day uses themes that focus on safety, hope, and belonging. Recent slogans include “Hope away from home,” “Whoever, wherever, whenever,” and “Everyone has the right to seek safety.” These themes highlight the shared humanity between people on the move and those who receive them.

Colors, Symbols and Patterns

Colors

• Blue: Represents the United Nations and the call for peace.
• White: Symbolises safety, shelter, and a new start.
• Orange: Stands for energy and movement.

Symbols

• Olive branch: A classic emblem of peace and refuge.
• Hands open: Represent welcome, support, and care.
• Butterfly: Used to symbolise migration, change, and hope.

Patterns

• Interwoven threads: Stand for connection and community.
• Footprints: Suggest the journey taken by refugees around the world.
• Light beams: Often represent hope, direction, and resilience.

Most used hashtags

• #WorldRefugeeDay
• #WithRefugees
• #SupportRefugees
• #RefugeeRights
• #HopeAwayFromHome

How do you celebrate World Refugee Day?

• Attend local events: Join a storytelling evening, photo exhibit, or cultural performance.
• Listen and learn: Watch a film, listen to a podcast, or read a personal story by a refugee.
• Donate or volunteer: Support organisations working with refugees in your region or abroad.
• Share awareness: Post a message or story on social media using the official hashtags.
• Host a conversation: Create space at school, work, or in your community to talk about displacement and belonging.

Why is World Refugee Day important?

World Refugee Day is important because it puts focus on people who have been forced to leave everything behind. It reminds us that behind the numbers are individuals with stories, dreams, and rights. The day helps shift public understanding away from fear and toward compassion.

It also encourages long-term commitment. Refugees need more than temporary help. They need laws, support systems, and welcoming communities. World Refugee Day brings that conversation forward, again and again, every year.