News and Events

World Refugee Day - 20 June 2009

World Refugee Day is an opportunity to reflect and acknowledge the courage, resilience and strength of refugees. Global attention is focused not only on the plight of refugees and causes of their exile but also on their determination and contribution they make to their host communities.

Why a World Refugee Day?(UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)

Just as we make a special effort to remember our mothers on Mother's Day, we want the world's refugees to be remembered on their special day. For years, many countries and regions have been holding their own Refugee Days and even Weeks. One of the most widespread is Africa Refugee Day, which is celebrated on 20 June in several countries.

As an expression of solidarity with Africa, which hosts the most refugees, and which traditionally has shown them great generosity, a special UN General Assembly Resolution was unanimously adopted in 2000 which designated 20 June every year as World Refugee Day.

New Zealand welcomes 750 quota refugees each year over six intakes. On June 19, 2009, ninety former refugees mainly Burmese, Bhutanese and Colombian will leave the Mangere Refugee Reception Centre to begin to rebuild their lives in their new communities.

Refugee Week will kick off in Wellington on Sunday 14 June from 10am at Newtown Park with the third annual WRD soccer match between the Refugee All Stars and a Wellington Invitational Team.

Wellington Soccer Match - Sunday 14 June - from 10am - Newtown Park

The Refugee All Stars won 3 to 1 against a Wellington Invitational Team at the third annual soccer match to kick of World Refugee Week (Refugee All Stars in white)

     

More information on events being held throughout New Zealand

World Refugee Day 2009 Media Release

From UNHCR Canberra:
In the lead up to World Refugee Day (20 June 2009), the UNHCR is highlighting the courage and resilience of refugees and the important work being done by the UN Refugee Agency, governments and civil society to protect refugees and help them to restart their lives. Full media release here

Auckland International Cultural Festival - Sunday March 29th - 2009
War Memorial Park - Wesley-Mt Roskill from 10am

Refugee Services continues its longstanding involvment with th Auckland International Cultural Festival which returns to the War Memorial Park, Wesley-Mt Roskill on Sunday 29 March from 10am. This International Cultural Festival, organised by the Auckland City Council in association with Refugee Services, celebrates Auckland's cultural diversity and the emerging confidence of the refugee and migrant communities as they take their place amongst the wider community to celebrate their cultural heritage.More information here

History of Festival here   The inaugural World Stories Tent

Media Coverage for Festival: Out of Africa   A World of Flavours   Togs Planned for Muslim Women

WORLD REFUGEE DAY - June 20th 2008

This year, the global theme set byUNHCR for World Refugee Day is "Protection". Within this general theme, Refugee Services has chosen to highlight the need for refugees to find a durable solution to end their forced displacement. 

"A Place to Call Home" has therefore been adopted as the focus of this year's commemorations and activities in New Zealand.

There will be many activities occurring around the country to mark World Refugee Day - June 20th. Contact us to find out what is going on in your area: info@refugeeservices.org.nz

TREES TO BE PLANTED TO MARK WORLD REFUGEE DAY

As part of the activities marking World Refugee Day 2008, a number of trees will be planted in centres of resettlement around the country. The seeds depicted in the Refugee Serices logo, symbolise the journey of resettlement. Carried on winds of uncertainty to an unkown destination, every seed carries within it the potential to grow into a thriving plant and become a mighty tree. All it takes is fertile soil and appropriate nurturing and support until it is sturdy enough to stand on its own. In keeping with this concept, Members of Parliament, reprentatives of local Iwi and Civic Leaders will join refugee families and staff and volunteers from Refugee Services to plant symbolic trees in civic gardens and parks. A tree planting event will take also take place at the Refugee Reception Centre in Mangere, where all Quota refugees begin their journey of resettlement in Aotearoa New Zealand.

WELLINGTON SOCCER TOURNAMENT

Once again, World Refugee Week in Wellington will see another championship soccer match, featuring the World Refugee All Stars Team and a Wellington Invitational XI. The match will kick off at 11 a.m. on Sunday 15th June at Karori Park.

Refugee Services has produced a number of periodic electronic newsletters and our first magazine was published in March 2009.

Regional publications and other publications

"A Place to Call Home" March 2009

Archive Issues

September 2008
April 2008
October 2007
June2007
March 2007
December 2006
November 2006
September 2006
August 2006
June 2006

Events

One of the most important regular events on the Refugee Services calendar is World Refugee Day which takes place annually on 20 June. Along with many other countries NZ celebrates with a variety of activities in different centres. More information about can be found on the UNHCR website,

There are a number of events being planned throughout the country: tba