UNHCR is launching World Tour #WithRefugees with events around the world to raise the public opinion's awareness on the plight of refugees and the displaced.
The UNHCR has organized a sports day at the refugee camp Zaatari, in Jordan, for its world tour #WithRefugees that will take place until October 1. Dozens of public events will be held in different countries to raise awareness and inspire more action for people who have been forced to flee war and persecution.
Information about the program of events can be found here.
Events starring refugees as protagonists
The event in Zaatari includes workshops with international athletes, including Egyptian pentathlon athlete, Aya Medani. Other events will include a fashion show in Chicago with fabrics made by refugees in Ireland, a photo exhibit in Paris, a week of events in Jeju island, South Korea and judo competitions and workshops in South Africa. The tour will wrap up on October 1 with the UNHCR's Nansen Refugee Award in Geneva.
"By taking action, people can show solidarity and take care of refugees. Each action counts," said Leigh Foster, head of campaigns and events and ambassador of UNHCR. "The campaign #WithRefugees mobilizes public action, innovation and solidarity for refugees at a global level, showing that when we are united we can make the difference for families forced to flee."
A campaign to support refugees
The campaign #WithRefugees was launched by UNHCR in 2016. It is part of efforts, on an international level, to address the rise in levels of intolerance
and xenophobia that coincided with record levels of people who were displaced due to war.
The campaign's goal is to promote global support for families who have been forced to flee from their homes, as well as launching an appeal for access to education and support for refugee families. The world tour is part of the campaign, which since its launch has registered over 18 million actions for refugees, including almost 2 million signatures for a petition asking for all refugees to be able live safely.