WASHINGTON—World Refugee Day 2017 will
take place June 20th with celebrations noting the contributions of
refugees occurring locally, nationally and globally. The international day provides
an opportunity to raise awareness about the global refugee situation and the
success of resettled refugees. The world
is experiencing the largest forced migration crisis since World War II with
more than 65 million people forcibly displaced from their homes, including 21
million refugees worldwide.

“World Refugee Day is a day where we
highlight the achievements of refugees.
Refugees are like all people, unique children of God,” said Bill Canny, Executive
Director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Migration and
Refugee Services. “We hope to see this year’s celebration of World Refugee Day create
greater awareness and appreciation on both the community and national level.”

As part of the 2017 World Refugee
Day celebration, the USCCB will be hosting a World Refugee Day Kick – Off event
at the National Press Club on Monday, June 19th, featuring Bishop Mario
Dorsonville of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC and Admiral Garry Hall Special
Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Organizations
and Alliances, ‎National Security Council. Additionally there will be two
panels, one which focuses on the domestic aspects of refugee resettlement and
the other which highlights the international protection needs of refugees.

This year will be the 17th
year that the United Nations has officially recognized June 20th as
World Refugee Day. Many nations around
the globe celebrated World Refugee Day prior to 2001, with one of the most
widespread events being Africa Refugee Day, which had been celebrated on June
20.

Educational materials and other
resources for World Refugee Day are available for download at https://justiceforimmigrants.org/take-action/world-refugee-day/.
For more information on events in your area or to submit an event, email
USCCB/MRS Communications Manager Mark Priceman (mpriceman@usccb.org).

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Keywords: U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops, USCCB, Bishop Joe Vazquez, Committee on Migration, refugees, migrants,
immigrants, human trafficking, National Migration Week

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Norma Montenegro Flynn
O: 202-541-3200

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops