World Refugee Day was held recently, on Saturday June 20. The global event is held each year to highlight the plight of refugees and is coordinated by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This year’s theme was Real People, Real Needs.

The UNHCR said this year was about highlighting the central idea of international refugee protection - that those people who flee their homes because of persecution and conflict need safe haven from danger.

World Refugee Day was founded in December 2000, and it was first celebrated on June 20, 2001. The year 2001 was the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. This convention set out the rights of those found to be refugees and the responsibilities of countries which grant asylum to people in need.

In Australia, there were many events held to mark this occasion. In the capital, Canberra, World Refugee Day flags decorated the streets and iconic buildings around Lake Burley Griffin were lit up in the colour blue. The colour blue is used by the UN across their organisation.

There was also a soccer tournament organised with teams from Sudan and Sierra Leone and a film festival and photographic exhibition held.

Also in Australia there was a special community gathering held in Canberra. Former refugees from Myanmar and Africa shared their stories and culture, including music and dancing, with the community.

Elsewhere around the world, film star Angelina Jolie made a moving speech imploring the world to recognise the amazing contribution refugees can make to the developed nations they seek refuge in. Angelina Jolie is the Goodwill Ambassador to the UNHCR.

The UNHCR estimates there are over 42 million refugees around the world.

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