World Refugee Day (June 20) is more than just a calendar observance—it’s an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to stand in solidarity with refugees. Schools, churches, and community groups can play a powerful role in spreading awareness, cultivating empathy, and encouraging action.
This article offers a range of creative, age-appropriate, and meaningful activities to help your organization recognize World Refugee Day and make a real difference.
🎓 For Schools: Education That Inspires Empathy
1. Refugee Storytime & Book Discussions
Introduce students to refugee experiences through age-appropriate literature.
Books to consider:
- “My Name is Not Refugee” by Kate Milner (Ages 4–7)
- “Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey” by Margriet Ruurs
- “Refugee” by Alan Gratz (Middle school)
- “The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees” by Don Brown (Graphic novel)
Activity idea: Have students draw or write about how they would feel if they had to leave home suddenly.
2. Create a Refugee Journey Simulation
Organize an interactive experience to help students understand displacement.
Steps:
- Set up “stations” representing key stages: fleeing home, crossing borders, waiting in camps, arriving in a new country.
- Use role cards with fictional refugee profiles.
- Include challenges like packing limited items, navigating new languages, or finding shelter.
Purpose: Builds empathy through experiential learning.
3. Host a Poster or Art Contest
Encourage students to express solidarity and hope through visual storytelling.
Theme ideas:
- “Everyone Deserves a Safe Home”
- “Welcome Means the World”
- “Refugees Are Our Neighbors”
Display submissions in hallways or at a World Refugee Day assembly.
4. Partner with Local Refugee Organizations
Invite guest speakers or organize a fundraiser for a refugee family or local resettlement agency.
Ideas include:
- Bake sales
- Book or supply drives
- Virtual Q&A with a refugee advocate
⛪ For Churches and Faith-Based Communities: Compassion in Action
5. Special Worship Service or Prayer Vigil
Dedicate a service to refugee stories and scripture-based reflections on hospitality.
Include:
- Readings from sacred texts on justice and welcome (e.g., Exodus 22:21, Matthew 25:35)
- Candle lighting or moment of silence
- Testimony from a refugee or sponsor family
6. Host a Refugee Film Night
Screen a film or documentary followed by group discussion.
Suggested films:
- The Good Lie (PG-13)
- Salam Neighbor (documentary)
- Human Flow by Ai Weiwei
- Flee (animated documentary)
Tip: Provide discussion guides and reflection questions to deepen engagement.
7. Launch a “Welcome Kit” Drive
Assemble basic supplies for recently resettled families.
Items to include:
- Kitchen utensils, hygiene products, linens, school supplies
- Include welcome notes written by church members
Optional: Partner with local refugee services to deliver and follow up with pastoral care or mentoring.
8. Sermon Series or Bible Study on Refugee Themes
Offer a multi-week series exploring migration, exile, and divine hospitality in scripture.
Possible titles:
- “Strangers No More”
- “Faith on the Run”
- “Welcoming the Sojourner”
🏘️ For Community Groups: Engagement That Builds Bridges
9. Multicultural Potluck or Food Fair
Celebrate refugee cultures through cuisine.
How to do it:
- Invite refugee families or chefs to prepare traditional dishes.
- Ask local restaurants to donate food or space.
- Include cultural displays, music, and storytelling.
Outcome: Fosters community connection through food and shared experience.
10. Refugee Voices Panel or Storytelling Night
Center the stories of refugees and asylum seekers in your area.
Format:
- Host a moderated panel at your local library or community center.
- Offer time for audience questions and reflections.
- Collaborate with interpreters if needed.
Impact: Personal narratives break down stereotypes and build empathy.
11. Social Media Awareness Campaign
Mobilize your group online to raise awareness.
Steps:
- Share facts, quotes, or refugee stories all week leading up to June 20.
- Use hashtags: #WorldRefugeeDay #WithRefugees
- Create reels or carousels featuring local events or actions.
Tip: Tag local representatives or organizations to amplify the message.
12. Art for Advocacy: Community Mural or Chalk Walk
Design a public art project to honor refugees in your city or neighborhood.
Ideas:
- Sidewalk chalk quotes and drawings
- Collaborative mural project with refugee youth
- Photography exhibits in town halls or libraries
Goal: Visual reminders that invite conversation and inclusion.
🧩 Combine Efforts for Greater Impact
These groups don’t need to work in silos. Imagine the power of a school partnering with a church, or a faith group collaborating with a local refugee organization. Unity magnifies impact.
Final Thoughts
World Refugee Day isn’t just about remembering—it’s about responding with compassion and courage. By turning your school, church, or community group into a hub of understanding and action, you become part of a global movement that says:
“You are not forgotten. You are welcome here.”