MEDIA ADVISORY

 African Union Commemorates the World Refugee Day 2024

INVITATION TO THE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

What: Commemoration of the World Refugee Day 2024

Theme: “Galvanizing international solidarity with refugees, redoubling efforts towards refugee education to advance solutions”

When: Thursday, 20^th June 2023, starting from 10:00 am (EAT).

Where: Nelson Mandela Plenary Hall, AU Headquarter, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Who:  The Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development (HHS) of the African Union Commission (AUC), in partnership with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Why: 20th June is designated as a day to honor and celebrate the strength and courage of refugees, people who have been forced to flee their home country due to conflict, persecution, or violation of their rights. Originally commemorated as Africa Refugee Day, the United Nations General Assembly officially designated it as an international day in December 2000. Since then, the day has been commemorated annually to highlight the plight of refugees and mobilize political will and resources for refugees. This year’s World Refugee Day commemoration offers an opportunity to commend African Union Member States for upholding the provisions and spirit of the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa since its adoption in 1969 and entry into force in 1974. The 1969 OAU Convention has made the asylum regime in Africa one of the best refugee protection systems in the world!

African Union AU's 2024 theme is “Educate an African Fit for the 21^st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa.” This theme aims to build resilient education systems, increase access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa and address challenges post-COVID-19. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) would like this year’s World Refugee Day (WRD), which is “Solidarity with and Solutions for Refugees” to focus on the spirit and duty of responsibility-sharing and Ubuntu vis-à-vis refugees and appeal for solutions to their plight. The solutions theme will center on each of the three durable solutions and highlight what is needed to enable them to achieve each of those solutions. These include voluntary return home in safety and dignity, resettlement in new countries, and local integration. The imperative for their inclusion from the start, as an enabler to refugees getting an education, becoming more resilient and self-reliant, and forging friendships with neighbors are among the key gains to be highlighted. With the number of forcibly displaced people at a new record high, UNHCR has issued guidance for the day to also focus on showing solidarity #WithRefugees from around the globe.

Objectives:   The objectives of the 2024 World Refugee Day commemoration are:

•  To raise awareness about the importance of inclusive and equitable education for refugees at all levels, from early childhood to tertiary and vocational training.

•  To highlight the transformative power of education in fostering solidarity, social cohesion, and durable solutions for refugees and their hosts.

•  To mobilize political will, resources, and partnerships to support refugee education initiatives and ensure access to quality learning opportunities for all displaced children, youth, and adults.

•  To showcase successful initiatives, best practices, and innovative approaches to refugee education, both in camp and urban settings.

•  To advocate for the inclusion of refugee education in national development plans and the alignment of refugee education policies with Agenda 2063, the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Global Compact on Refugees.

Participants: Participants will include AU Commissioners, Representatives from AU member states; RECs and RMs; Representatives from the AU Commission and Organs; International Organizations: United Nations Agencies, Humanitarian Partners, AU Partners Groups, stakeholders, Refugees.

Media representatives are invited to cover the Commemoration of World Refugee Day 2024 on 20^th June 2024.

For further information, kindly contact:
Ms. Rita Amukhobu | Head Humanitarian Affairs Division, Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development | E-mail: amukhobur@africa- union.org

For media inquiries, please contact:

Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communications Directorate, African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia I Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram| YouTube |