Kitchener-Waterloo celebrates World Refugee Day
Posted Jun 20, 2014 05:44:34 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s a day to celebrate the stories, the perseverance, and the contribution of refugees across the region.
June 20th is World Refugee Day.
In recognition of the day, the Waterloo Region Museum is hosting a free event called “This Is My Story: Voices of Local Youth Refugees.” The event, which runs from 5-8pm, is put on in partnership with the YMCA, the Waterloo Region District School Board, and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. Youth refugees in the community will be sharing their experiences through displays, a panel discussion, short dramas, and music.
“It’s a pretty amazing event to have these kids telling their stories about where they come from and what they’re doing,” says Dave Newfeld, education coordinator at the Waterloo Region Museum.
The theme of this year’s World Refugee Day is “No One Chooses to be a Refugee.”
“Nobody asks for this,” says Newfeld. “It’s done against their will, and they’re basically trying to make their way in the world as best they can.”
Saturday morning, the Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support is also hosting “Walk with Refugees for a Stronger Canada.” From 10am-12pm, people are invited to join for a walk around downtown Kitchener to visit important locations to new refugees. The walk will end in Victoria Park for the opening ceremonies of the Multicultural Festival.
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees estimates in 2012, there were 15.4 million refugees worldwide.
