“ONE REFUGEE WITHOUT HOPE IS TOO MANY”
Every year, the world dedicates the 20th of June to raise awareness on the situation of refugees around the globe. Since 2007, Save the Children Sweden (SCS) has been responding to the needs of Iraqi refugees in Lebanon with a main focus on education in emergencies. SCS' initiative adopts a child/ youth cycle approach starting with early childhood development and education and moving through basic education to youth learning opportunities. On June 25 2011, SCS in Lebanon took part for the third consecutive year in the World
Refugee Day annual event, organized by UNHCR along with several other NGOs working with refugees in the country.
The World Refugee Day was marked by a rich variety of activities and a varied programme of events. It started with an exhibition where refugees showed their traditional handcrafts and culinary skills. SCS had its own stand with different publications including booklets and brochures related to Child Rights and Child Participation that were presented and distributed to all visitors.
Following the exhibition, a live competition featuring refugees from all regions in Lebanon was held as part of “Talent without Borders” show. Participants performed their traditional songs and dances on stage in front of a panel of judges who in the end distributed trophies and awards to winners.
On this day, the local community expressed its solidarity with refugees, who often have no choice but to flee their homeland to escape conflict, persecution and poverty. The World Refugee day was a reminder that all people are equally entitled to Human Rights regardless of their nationality, status and background.