BP 548: World Refugee Day by Peter-John Pearson

In this comment, Pope Francis touches on the very core of this year’s World Refugee Day theme. Every year the United Nations observes World Refugee Day on 20^th June.[i] The UN describes this day as one that “shines a light on the rights, dreams and needs of refugees, helping to mobilise political will and resources so that refugees cannot only survive, but thrive.”[ii] The UNHCR states that there are at present around 100 million displaced persons in the world.[iii] It is also deeply worrying that around 50% of refugees worldwide are under the age of 18.[iv] It should be noted that the Roman Catholic Church observes World Migrant and Refugee Day on the last Sunday in September annually.[v]

BP548 World Refugee Day by Peter-John Pearson