The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) recognises World Refugee Day as a salute to the indomitable spirit and courage of the world's refugees.  In 2000, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 20 as World Refugee Day to recognise and celebrate the contribution of refugees throughout the world.

World Refugee Day celebrations are set to take place in Brisbane throughout the week beginning Monday June 18, providing Brisbane with the opportunity to 'congregate, participate and celebrate' our rich and diverse local refugee communities.  

In celebration of World Refugee Day, the Volunteer Refugee Tutoring and Community Support (VoRTCS) program and St Vincent de Paul Society, in partnership with the Brisbane City Council and Multicultural Affairs Queensland, are organising the World Refugee Day Community Festival 2008.  

The Community Festival will be held from 10am-5pm on Sunday June 24 at the Annerley Soccer Club Fields, Juliette and Ridge Streets, Annerley.  

A colourful, engaging and free-entry family event open to people of all nationalities and backgrounds, the festival will showcase and celebrate the wealth of talent and diversity harboured by our refugee communities, including bands, cultural performances, ethnic food stalls, a refugee art exhibition, kids' rides and activities, a jumping castle, circus performers, art and craft stalls with traditional handicrafts, volleyball, races, a 16 team soccer tournament and a guest appearance from Queensland Roar.

Participants can see and try hip hop dancing, Iranian Persian dishes, Sierra Leonean dance, Persian Art Exhibition, traditional Rwandan Cuisine, Burundian drumming, Somalian Foods, Sudanese Art & Craft, Ethiopian dancing, traditional Eritrean food and coffee, Ugandan drumming, Origami and Flower Folding workshops, traditional Henna tattoos and lots more.

How can your school be involved?

We would love for your school to be involved in any way possible, and would be happy to discuss this with you at your convenience. Some possibilities include:

• publicising the festival to your students and encouraging them to attend;
• students volunteering to help out at the festival;
• your school volleyball team playing in our volleyball competition; or
• donating your school bus to assist in transporting refugee communities with no private transport to the festival. 

Spread the Word!

We are hoping that you can assist us to spread the word about this free, family event amongst your school community. To assist you with this, we can provide:

• a copy of our press release for your information;
• a blurb that can be included in your school newsletter;
• black-and-white flyers that can be attached to your school newsletter or distributed separately to students; and
• colour posters which can be displayed on school noticeboards.

Thank you for your school's support for Queensland's World Refugee Day celebrations - we hope to see you there!