World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe.
It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
‘Refugee Week’ occurs at the same time as World Refugee Day and is a UK-wide festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
Our articles of the week:
Article 10 (family reunification)
Governments must respond quickly and sympathetically if a child or their parents apply to live together in the same country. If a child’s parents live apart in different countries, the child has the right to visit and keep in contact with both of them.
Article 22 (refugee children)
If a child is seeking refuge or has refugee status, governments must provide them with appropriate protection and assistance to help them enjoy all the rights in the Convention. Governments must help refugee children who are separated from their parents to be reunited with them.
To help us understand the articles of this week, have a go with at least 1 of the activities below:
Activity 1
Paddington Bear was a refugee. Read some of his story or watch the Paddington film and then discuss how you think Paddington felt when he was in the lifeboat after leaving Aunt Lucy in Peru or how he felt being at the train station on his own. How do you think he felt when he met the Brown family?
Activity 2
If you had to flee your home suddenly, what would you take with you? Draw or list what you would take and remember that you might have to carry it a long way. Compare your list with other people in your class.
Activity 3
Imagine a new refugee family is arriving in your neighbourhood. Write a letter to welcome them. Tell them everything they need to know about places to visit, who can help and perhaps a bit about yourself too.
