Refugee Newsletter - unhcr

It Takes Courageto be a RefugeeThe theme for World Refugee Day 2005 –It takes courage to be a refugee – wascelebrated around the region. Australianactor Jack Thompson lent his voice toUNHCR’s Community ServiceAnnouncements for radio and television,profiling personal stories of courage fromdisplaced people around the world.Governments, NGOs, communitygroups and citizens saluted the courageof refugees who have overcome enormousobstacles in their path to flee persecutionand rebuild their lives anew in a range ofevents throughout the region.In Canberra, the Captain Cook Fountainand seven public buildings in theparliamentary zone were lit blue tocoincide with the annual lighting of the Jetd’eau on Lake Geneva for World RefugeeDay. The ACT government also sponsoredthe production of WRD flags that wereflown on Commonwealth Bridge, KingsAvenue and Russell Circle.World Refugee Day flags flying onCommonwealth Bridge, Canberra.Photo: UNHCR/S. WhyteImmigration Minister Amanda Vanstone onWorld Refugee Day. Photo: DIMIAA photographic exhibition at theTuggeranong Arts Centre titled ‘Sudan –Waiting for the Future’ featured over 100images from Sudan and the Kakumarefugee camp, including photos by formerUNHCR intern and Victorian YoungAustralian of the Year Matthew Albert.At Parliament House, ImmigrationMinister Senator Amanda Vanstonelaunched Refugee and HumanitarianIssues: Australia’s Response and awardedcitizenship to eight refugee andhumanitarian entrants. UNHCR spoke atthe event which was attended byrefugees, embassies, national refugeeadvocacy groups and communityorganisations. The ImmigrationDepartment (DIMIA) also hosted severalcitizenship ceremonies around the countryto coincide with WRD.The Refugee Action Committee andAmnesty International held a “ShowCompassion” rally calling for changes toAustralia’s mandatory detention andtemporary protection visa systems, andgather signatures to the Refugee Council’s‘Refugee Charter’.In Brisbane, a World Refugee Dayfestival was sponsored by the QueenslandGovernment, with cultural performances,food, fun, activities and speakers.An African fashion parade and culturalentertainment were part of the WRDfestivities in Darwin, at a picnic at theWater Gardens sponsored by MelaleucaRefugee Centre and the Department ofImmigration, Multicultural and IndigenousAffairs. The sharing of stories and acitizenship ceremony were also part of theday’s events.Amnesty International launched itsreport The Impact of Indefinite Detention atthe University of Sydney Law School andheld ‘Daybreak in Detention’ installationsat more than 30 locations across Australiaincluding Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide,Perth and Hobart.In Sydney, Australia for UNHCR held avery successful fundraising breakfastlaunched by the Honourable J.J.Spigelman AC, Chief Justice of theSupreme Court of New South Wales.Sudanese refugees Daniela (3) and DiannaZakaria (4) are among many refugeechildren from all over the world who becameAustralian citizens on World Refugee Dayduring Citizenship ceremony at Parramattain Sydney. Photo: Newspix/Quest/News Ltd16Refugee Newsletter No. 2/2005