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World Refugee Day

Refugees are courageous

World Refugee Day takes place on Sunday 20th June 2021.

Every World Refugee Day, we celebrate the contributions of refugees around the world. This year, we are proud to honour the courage of refugee artists who use their creativity to connect and heal—bringing people closer together. Through their painting, their dance and their song, these inspiring artists open a door into their world and show us who they are beyond the label of refugee. 

Explore five ways you can honour that courage, by taking action this World Refugee Day:

1. Share Diala Brisly's powerful illustration

Diala Brisly, a Syrian artist and refugee living in France, has created a new illustration for World Refugee Day that embodies the statement "Refugees are courageous." Share her work far and wide. 

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Download | Colour the image

2. Celebrate refugee artists

Explore and share the stories of Diala Brisly, ballerina Christine Shevchenko, rapper Belly and painter Muyambo Marcel Chishimba—or share the work of another artist you know! 

Illustrator Diala Brisly smiles at the camera in front of her mural

Diala Brisly, Illustrator

"I didn't know that there was such a thing called art therapy. But apparently, I was doing this without even knowing."

Rapper Belly looks into the camera.

Belly, Rapper

"Finding courage to be myself had to come through the music and it had to come through the writing."

Ballerina Christine Shevchenco stands in front of the camera smiling.

Christine Shevchenco, Ballerina

"Every time you step out in front of people, you're putting yourself out there to be judged. You have to have the courage to fail."

Portrait of Muyambo Marcel Chishimba

Muyambo Marcel Chishimba, Painter

"My life depended on painting."

3. Watch this video to meet courageous refugee artists

It takes great courage to open your heart and share your experience. That’s why, this World Refugee Day, we are celebrating refugee artists who remind us that refugees are courageous. 

4. Donate to the International Rescue Committee

Help us continue to support refugees around the world.

Help support refugees

Make a gift in honour of World Refugee Day, and help us support refugees and displaced people in more than 40 countries around the world.

5. Support refugees in the United Kingdom

One key way you can show up for refugees in the UK is by supporting their businesses! If there are any refugee-owned businesses in your community, become a patron and tell your friends. 

Are you a business owner? You can show your support by hiring refugees, help them to grow their careers or by creating services or products tailored to them. Get involved by signing up to the Business Refugee Action Network’s mailing list. 

Meet UK based Refugee Musician Mohamed and stream his album Sound of Refuge, which was produced at Abbey Road Studios. 

Refugee Week, a UK-wide festival, has put together a list of ‘Simple Acts’ you can do to help from playing one of several video games listed on their site that help you experience the world from a different perspective to reading a book on refugees, either alone, with friends or at a book club. You can find more Simple Acts here.

Finally, find our Instagram stickers and share them to your stories to show your support for refugees this World Refugee Day.

Join us!

Sign up to stand with refugees and find out more about our work.

 

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