Vancouver, BC– There are currently over 42 million forcibly displaced persons looking for safety in the world and in 2014 an estimated 866,000 asylum application were registered worldwide according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Canada received 13,450 asylum claims in 2014 of people coming to our border looking to find safety from war and persecution.
As part of the global celebration of World Refugee Day, Settlement Orientation Services (SOS) in partnership with the Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) and the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) are hosting a free family event on June 20, 2015 at the VPL Main Branch. On this day, we will celebrate the resilience, strength and courage of refugees, bringing together the varied and vibrant cultures within our community, and recognize their contribution to the Canadian society.
Join us for a fun filled family event with face painting, arts and crafts activities for children of all ages and live music by refugee musicians. The day’s program will feature personal stories from refugee youth and the official proclamation of World Refugee Day by Deputy Mayor Andrea Reimer. Visitors will also have an opportunity to meet service provider organizations, hear about their experiences and learn about services that exist in Vancouver to support refugees and refugee claimants. Refugees will share stories about their journeys that led them to BC and their experiences throughout the refugee determination process in Canada.
Join us and be part of the conversation!
Event Details:
The World Refugee Day event takes place on June 20, 2015 from 11am to 3pm at the Vancouver Public Library, 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver. Admission is free.
For more information, call Kerstin Walter at 604 255 1881 ext.25 or email: vancouverworldrefugeeday@gmail.com or you can visit our website at:
www.vancouverworldrefugeeday.com
Program: Refugee Services Info Fair: Kids activities and live music: 11am – 3pm
Proclamation of World Refugee Day: Deputy Mayor Andrea Reimer : Noon
By Kerstin Walter
