Today is World Refugee Day and it wouldn’t feel right for me to blog without giving it a mention here on Gadling. June 20 was officially recognized as World Refugee Day back in 2000 when the United Nations General Assembly sought to celebrate the contribution of refugees worldwide. This year’s theme is “Hope,” where the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) hopes to draw the public’s attention to the millions of refugees globally, forced to flee their homes.
There are two events scheduled this weekend worth checking out if in the Washington D.C. area if you’re around. The first is an afternoon of exhibits, dance and musical performances by refugee artists and youth at the National Geographic Museum at Explorers Hall on Saturday, June 24, 2006 from 12 pm to 4 pm. Additional details can be found by clicking here and personally if I were anywhere around this venue I would seriously make it top priority this weekend.
Can’t make it, but still interested in World Refugee Day? Head to Slate where you can find a collection of Magnum Photos showcasing refugees from all over. The shot above is from a refugee camp in Kurkushetra, India from 1947 taken by Henri Cartier-Bresson.