Refugee Week: 16 June – 22 June 2024

20/06/2024

Diversity

World Refugee Day, observed annually on 20 June, is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe and celebrate the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their homes to escape conflict or persecution.

Refugee Week is held annually in Australia from Sunday to Saturday of the week that includes World Refugee Day. Whilst World Refugee Day is celebrated globally, Refugee Week is held only in a number of limited countries, Australia being the pioneer to celebrate Refugee Week in 1987.
According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, 114 million people were displaced by war, violence and persecution last year. Noting that the figures will be updated this month, the UN High Commissioner has foreshadowed that this number will be significantly higher this year.