Lutheran Services in Iowa’s Post

This World Refugee Day, I’ve joined Girl Up, United Nations Foundation to debunk common myths about #refugees, sharing how we can replace these harmful misconceptions with compassion and FACTS. 🤍 To learn more read the full article below.

Today is World Refugee Day. Here are some of our Education Team’s favourite books to explore the refugee experience as well as the challenge of settlement, belonging and the kindness of strangers. What resources are you using to help students explore World Refugee Day? #worldrefugeeday2024 #Interculturalunderstanding #education #australiancurriculum #inclusion

Celebrate Refugee Week with us! Here are 10 simple ways you can get involved in the global celebration of Refugee Week no matter where you are. We'd love to see how you're getting involved in Refugee Week this year! Tag your posts #RefugeeWeekAU so we can share your celebrations. #RefugeeWeek2024 #RefugeeWeek

"[The resolution affirming the Global Compact on Refugees] calls upon the international community as a whole, including States and other relevant stakeholders, to implement the Global Compact on Refugees, through concrete actions, pledges and contributions." (Introductory Note by UNHCR, Global Compact on Refugees Booklet - United Nations, New York, 2018) Still so much that must be done! Here's how you, your organization or company can pledge to support refugees at the #GlobalRefugeeForum https://bit.ly/46Ey36l

The intergration of children and youth is crucial. LIVE IN GREEN Global Refugee Youth Network (GRYN) Norwegian Refugee Council Caritas Suisse

My father was a refugee. He fled communist Poland in the '70s. I grew up listening to stories of resilience and determination, but I would not be here today if it weren't for the fact that my father was given asylum right away and welcomed into the US with open arms. Today is World Refugee Day, and the same cannot be said for the 114 million refugees that are present around the world today. Their stories often go unheard, overshadowed by statistics and stereotypes. This is one of the many reasons why I co-founded The Hybrid Tours. Together with Our World Too, we aim to amplify the voices of those who have experienced displacement firsthand and to rehumanize the refugee narrative. Here's the catch: this is done through travel. At The Hybrid Tours, we don't just visit. We are about connection, education, and impact. Our unique travel experiences allow participants to engage deeply with local communities, learning from those who have lived through displacement. Through our travels, we foster understanding and empathy, bridging the gap between cultures and creating lasting, positive change. And we, of course, have fun while doing so. That's why we're a hybrid - the best of both worlds. Trips like ours are usually only offered by research institutes and universities. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in these transformative experiences. We aim to broaden the impact of our work, making it accessible to all who are willing to listen, learn, and advocate for a better world. On this day, let us honor the resilience of refugees and commit to changing the narrative. Join us in our journey to create a more inclusive and compassionate world through meaningful travel and storytelling. Travel is, after all, one of the keys to making the world a better place. #WorldRefugeeDay #TheHybridTours #OurWorldToo #RefugeeVoices #TravelWithPurpose #ChangeTheNarrative

📌Join Us - Learn About Forced Displacement & Refugee Resettlement.

On this World Refugee Day, we are reminded of Lebanon’s critical role in providing sanctuary to Syrian refugees fleeing violence, dispossession, and destruction since 2011. However, despite our initial openness, the journey of these refugees in Lebanon has been fraught with challenges and exploitation. Unlike Turkey and Jordan, which have coordinated aid and data gathering with international bodies, Lebanon has not established a systematic approach to absorb refugees. This "intentional chaos" has left Syrian refugees marginalized and vulnerable, exacerbated by inflated population estimates by Lebanese authorities, in contrast to what the United Nations and civil society groups estimated. This discrepancy, amplified by media outlets, has sowed public distrust and fear. Political exploitation has further complicated the situation. Some officials have used the refugee crisis to expand their political influence or to blackmail the international community for financial aid, which often does not reach the intended recipients. The lack of differentiation between refugees fleeing persecution and those seeking work without legal compliance further muddles the issue. This generalization often overlooks the complexity of refugee experiences, leading to misinformed policies and public sentiment. Moreover, the conflation of criminal and political prisoners, with some facing severe risks if deported, has led to tragic incidents such as attempted suicides out of fear of torture upon return to Syria. Despite these challenges, Syrian refugees in Lebanon continue to struggle for survival. Some media outlets exacerbate tensions by broadcasting incendiary content, falsely portraying all Syrian refugees as regime loyalists. As we commemorate World Refugee Day, let us renew our commitment to compassion, truth, and solidarity. Only through honest, coordinated efforts can we hope to address the refugee crisis in a manner that honors Lebanon’s legacy of hospitality and humanity. #WorldRefugeeDay #HumanRights