UNHCR & MIRM Celebrate World Refugee Day

On June 20, 2022, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), in collaboration with the Make It Right Movement (MIRM) and various civil society organisations, hosted a significant World Refugee Day event in Kuala Lumpur. The event was a celebration of the strength, courage and resilience of refugees who have fled their homes in search of safety and a better future. It also provided an opportunity for the community, advocates and refugees to come together and raise awareness about the challenges faced by displaced people in Malaysia and around the world.

World Refugee Day is commemorated every year on June 20 and it serves as a reminder of the millions of refugees who are forcibly displaced due to conflict, persecution and violence. The event highlighted the importance of supporting refugee communities, advocating for their rights and promoting social inclusion in Malaysia, where tens of thousands of refugees and asylum seekers reside.

The Importance of World Refugee Day

In Malaysia, refugees face a number of challenges, including limited access to education, employment, healthcare and legal protections. While Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, there are still tens of thousands of refugees living in the country, many of whom come from Myanmar, including the Rohingya ethnic minority, as well those from countries like Afghanistan, Somalia and Syria. These refugees rely on organisations like UNHCR and NGOs to advocate for their rights and provide essential services.

The UNHCR World Refugee Day Event was designed to raise awareness of these challenges while also celebrating the contributions and resilience of refugee communities. Through cultural performances, interactive workshops and panel discussions, the event provided a platform for refugees to share their stories, express their hopes for the future and connect with the broader community.

Key Themes of the UNHCR World Refugee Day Event

The World Refugee Day Event in Kuala Lumpur centered around several key themes, including raising awareness about the plight of refugees, promoting inclusion and empowerment and celebrating the contributions of refugees to their host communities.

1. Raising Awareness of Refugee Challenges

A major focus of the event was raising awareness about the difficulties faced by refugees in Malaysia, including their lack of legal status, limited access to basic services and the uncertainty of their futures. Despite these challenges, refugees continue to demonstrate incredible resilience, adapting to their circumstances and finding ways to support their families and communities.

Through panel discussions and presentations, participants learned about the specific struggles that refugees face, such as the inability to work legally, the lack of formal education for refugee children and the healthcare barriers that often prevent refugees from receiving the care they need. The event also provided a space for refugee advocates to call for stronger protections and more inclusive policies in Malaysia that address these issues.

2. Promoting Social Inclusion and Empowerment

The event placed a strong emphasis on promoting social inclusion and empowering refugees to rebuild their lives with dignity. Refugee communities in Malaysia are highly diverse and the event celebrated this diversity through cultural performances, food and art that showcased the rich heritage of refugees from various countries.

Workshops and interactive sessions were also held to provide refugees with valuable skills and resources. These sessions focused on topics such as language learning, vocational training and entrepreneurship, equipping refugees with the tools they need to build self-reliance and contribute to their host communities. The workshops also encouraged dialogue between refugees and the local community, fostering understanding and empathy.

3. Cultural Performances and Celebrating Diversity

A key highlight of the World Refugee Day Event was the series of cultural performances that celebrated the heritage and traditions of refugee communities. Performances included traditional dances, music and storytelling from refugees hailing from Myanmar, Syria and other countries. These performances provided a platform for refugees to share their cultures with the broader community and promote understanding and appreciation of their backgrounds. The cultural showcase reinforced the message that refugees bring rich diversity and cultural contributions to their host communities and that embracing this diversity can lead to a more inclusive and harmonious society.

4. Panel Discussions with Refugee Advocates and Experts

The event also featured panel discussions with refugee advocates, humanitarian organisations and experts on refugee issues. These discussions covered a range of topics, from the legal challenges faced by refugees in Malaysia to the importance of mental health support for displaced individuals.

Panelists emphasised the need for greater collaboration between governments, NGOs and the private sector to create sustainable solutions for refugees. They also called for increased advocacy to ensure that refugees’ rights are protected, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare and employment. One of the key messages of the panel discussions was the importance of creating pathways for refugees to integrate into society and contribute to the economy, rather than being marginalised or excluded. Participants called for reforms to Malaysia’s policies on refugees, including granting work permits and expanding access to education for refugee children.

MIRM’s Role in Supporting Refugee Communities

As a partner of UNHCR, the Make It Right Movement (MIRM) played a key role in organising and supporting the World Refugee Day Event. MIRM has long been committed to advocating for the rights of marginalsed groups, including refugees, through its community outreach programs and partnerships with NGOs and international organisations. MIRM hosted a skills training booth, offering information on vocational training programs available to refugees in Malaysia. The booth also provided resources on how refugees can access employment opportunities, including informal work and entrepreneurship, despite the challenges posed by their lack of legal status.

Impact of the World Refugee Day Event

The UNHCR World Refugee Day Event was a powerful demonstration of solidarity with refugees and a celebration of their resilience. By providing a platform for refugees to share their stories, showcase their cultures and connect with the local community, the event helped foster greater understanding and empathy for the refugee experience.

Some of the key outcomes of the event included:

• Increased Awareness: The event succeeded in raising awareness about the challenges faced by refugees in Malaysia, particularly the barriers to legal work, education and healthcare. Many attendees left with a deeper understanding of the issues and a desire to get involved in supporting refugee communities.

• Fostering Connections: The event provided an important opportunity for refugees to connect with advocates, NGOs and community members. These connections will help strengthen support networks for refugees and create new opportunities for collaboration in addressing the challenges they face.

• Empowering Refugees: Through workshops and skills training, the event empowered refugees by providing them with practical tools and resources to improve their lives. Whether through learning new vocational skills or accessing mental health support, the event provided refugees with valuable support to help them navigate their difficult circumstances.

Looking Ahead: Continuing Support for Refugees

The UNHCR World Refugee Day Event underscored the importance of ongoing support and advocacy for refugee communities in Malaysia. While the event celebrated the contributions and resilience of refugees, it also highlighted the work that still needs to be done to ensure that refugees have access to basic rights, including legal protections, education and employment opportunities.

MIRM and its partners remain committed to advocating for refugees and working with UNHCR to create sustainable solutions for displaced individuals. Moving forward, MIRM will continue to engage with refugee communities through its programs, providing training, resources and advocacy to help refugees build better futures for themselves and their families.

The UNHCR World Refugee Day Event 2022, co-organised by MIRM, was a powerful celebration of the resilience, courage and contributions of refugees in Malaysia. Through cultural performances, workshops and discussions, the event raised awareness of the challenges faced by refugees and encouraged greater understanding and solidarity within the community. As MIRM and UNHCR continue their efforts to support refugee communities, the event serves as a reminder that everyone deserves the right to live in safety, with dignity and hope for a better future.