World Refugee Day (20 June) is dedicated to the strength, courage, and resilience of people who have been forced to leave their homes due to war and human rights violations. It is a day that calls on us to recognise not only the challenges refugees face, but also their contributions, capabilities, and aspirations for a better future.
The Greek Forum of Refugees participated in and organised a series of activities centred around dialogue, coexistence, and participation. More specifically:
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- We visited a school where students, teachers, parents, and members of refugee and migrant communities came together, shared experiences, and celebrated diversity.
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- We welcomed school groups and university students to our offices, as well as members of the local community, opening an important dialogue on asylum, migration, and the power of participation.
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- We organised a political participation workshop, discussing how people with refugee and migrant backgrounds can have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect their lives.
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- We participated in the event Voices of Courage, organised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as part of Refugee Week Greece, highlighting stories of memory, loss, and hope, as well as pathways to integration and empowerment.
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- We coordinated a consultative meeting of refugee communities with UNHCR, marking the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, where three key themes were discussed: community participation, self-reliance and economic integration, and protection and cooperation.
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- We concluded this special week by participating in the Community Celebration at KAPAPS Park, celebrating together with people from different communities the power of coexistence, art, and solidarity.
On 19 June, we had also planned a visit to the School of the Prisons of Larissa, which unfortunately could not take place due to unforeseen circumstances. We sincerely thank the teachers and students for their interest and understanding, and we hope to have the opportunity to meet with them soon.
At a time when displacement continues to affect millions of people around the world, solidarity is not just a word. It is the choice to stand alongside those who have been forced to flee, to defend their rights, and to build more open, fair, and inclusive societies for everyone.
Today, and every day, we stand with people who have been forced to leave their homes. Because no one chooses to become a refugee, but all of us can choose solidarity, understanding, and humanity.
