RAISE AWARENESS: World Refugee Day Houston aims to introduce the general public to the challenges that refugees face in their home countries and ways for communities to assist refugees in their integration into their new homes In the United States.
HONOR REFUGEES: World Refugee Day Houston aims to honor the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who were forced to flee their homes and start new lives in Houston.
UNITE THROUGH ART: World Refugee Day Houston aims to not only demonstrate art as a powerful means of personal development and self-expression, but to also inspire community connection that transcends differences.
SHOW GRATITUDE: World Refugee Day Houston thanks the many Houstonians who have welcomed refugees with open arms for than 40 years.
World Refugee Day was established in 2001 by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to honor the courage, strength, and determination of women, men and children forced to flee their homes under the threat of persecution, conflict and violence. World Refugee Day Houston was first celebrated in 2003 as a small get together hosted by the Houston Refugee Consortium, a group of six organizations providing services to refugees in our community. This includes: The Alliance, Bilingual Education Institute, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, Refugee Services of Texas, and YMCA International Services. Since that time, the event has expanded and is now celebrated in conjunction with the City of Houston and numerous community partners.
Past Events at MATCH
- June 2019: World Refugee Day Houston 2019