Refugee Week
Refugee Week takes place every year around World Refugee Day (20th June). Over 20 countries around the world observe a Refugee Week.
Aims
[edit]By providing a platform for people who have sought sanctuary to share their experiences, perspectives and creative work on their own terms, the festival aims to enable refugees and asylum seekers to be able to live safely within inclusive and resilient communities, where they can continue to make a valuable contribution.
Past Refugee Weeks
[edit]In 2026, Refugee Week took place from 15-21 June, with the theme 'Courage'.[1] Events take place across the UK and internationally.[2]
In Refugee Week 2024 there were over 15,000 events and activities and over 1.3 million people took part.[3]
The themes and dates of other Refugee Weeks have included:
- Community as a Superpower (16-22 June 2025)
- Our Home (17-23 June 2024)
- Compassion (19-25 June 2023)
- Healing (20-26 June 2022)
- We cannot walk alone (14-20 June 2021)
- Imagine (15-21 June 2020)
By country
[edit]- Australia
The 2026 Refugee Week in Australia is the country's 40th annual observance. The Australian theme in 2026 is "A Million Stories", reflecting the fact that Australia has issued one million permanent humanitarian visas since 1947.[4]
- United Kingdom
Refugee Week UK is a partnership project coordinated by Counterpoints Arts, working with Amnesty International, Barnardo's, Ben & Jerry's, British Future, the British Red Cross, Choose Love, City of Sanctuary, Freedom from Torture, imix, IOM (the International Organization for Migration), the International Rescue Committee, Migrant Help, National Education Union, Oxfam, Refugee Council, Refugee Action, Scottish Refugee Council, Student Action for Refugees, UK for UNHCR, UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), and the Welsh Refugee Council.[5]
UK Refugee Week activities are delivered with multiple national and regional partners.[6]
- Elsewhere
Refugee Week is also celebrated in Berlin, Croatia, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jordan, Malta, Lithuania, Slovenia and Taiwan.[7]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Refugee Week". 2026.
- ↑ "Refugee Week Events". 2025.
- ↑ "2024 Refugee Week Evaluation". 2024.
- ↑ Refugee Council of Australia, Theme, published on 23 February 2026, accessed on 14 July 2026
- ↑ "Refugee Week Partners". 2025.
- ↑ "Refugee Week Organisations". 2025.
- ↑ "Refugee Week Organisations". 2025.