Description and History
World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.
Professional Learning Resources
Libraries Respond: Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers
The ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services has created Libraries Respond as a space to help keep current events in conversation with libraries' ongoing work in and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This collection contains resources on Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers.Learner Engagement Resources.
Learner Engagement Resources
The Refugee Doll Project
The Refugee Doll Project, a 2021 AASL Commendation recipient, demonstrates how refugee dolls can be used with books, lesson plans, and service projects to help learners internalize the concepts of what it is like to be new, what it is like to be different, and how to be welcoming.
Books Matter™ | Children's & Young Adult Literature
ADL provides an online bibliography of recommended children’s and young adult books about bias, bullying, diversity and social justice. This curated list provides age level recommended books on Immigrant & Refugee Rights.
Refugee Stories from USA for UNHCR
USA for UNHCR shares information, hashtags, and stories (videos and text) to commemorate the strength, courage and perseverance of millions of refugees.
The Welcoming Library from I’m Your Neighbor
A Welcoming Library can be borrowed from locations around the nation. I’m Your Neighbor also regularly updates the book list of books for all ages with themes around refugees, immigration, and new Americans.
Little Amal and The Walk
Little Amal is a 12 foot puppet of a 10 year old Syrian girl. She has visited cities and towns around the world bringing attention to the large numbers of refugee children fleeing war, persecution, and violence. Education packs and poems are available as instructional resources.