Twin Cities to celebrate World Refugee Day on June 16

Minneapolis— “My father used to teach me when I was a kid that the world is a big home for everybody, and that all people around the world are one family, and we must love each other and take care of each other. Can we do it?” wrote Honorary World Refugee Day Chair Mohammed Meran.

Every year, millions of individuals and families are forced to leave their homes and build new lives. The Twin Cities joins the thousands from around the world for World Refugee Day, who take time to recognize and applaud the lives and experiences of forcibly displaced people throughout the world.

Twin Cities World Refugee Day celebrates that Minnesota is home to more than 100,000 refugees. We honor the new traditions and histories that refugees bring to Minnesota.

Gathering at Minnehaha Falls on Saturday, June 16th from 1:00-6:00pm, World Refugee Day celebrates the diversity of Minnesota while educating and inspiring all who attend. It’s an opportunity for families and people of all ages to:

 See what home means to Minnesota refugees in their native countries, in the refugee camps, and here in their new state.

 Welcome your new neighbors by celebrating the diverse cultures, experiences, and assets they bring to the community.

 Share a fun and vibrant day with your friends and family in the beautiful Minnehaha Park

The purpose of World Refugee Day is to give voice to refugee stories, honor their lives and raise awareness of the millions of refugees in the world who have been forced to flee their homes. The annual event is held each year in June by a collaboration of resettlement agencies, community based organizations, for-profit entities and ordinary citizens to recognize refugees' journeys to their new homes through celebration and education.

The 2012 Honorary Chairs of Twin Cities World Refugee Day are:

Yisehak Tura –DSMA EOTC Parish Nursing Program Coordinator

Wilhelmina Holder – Women's Initiative for Self Empowerment

Mohammed Meran

Fatuma Elmi –Lutheran Social Services

Twin Cities World Refugee Day is a locally organized festival that celebrates the more than 100,000 refugees living in Minnesota and the diversity of cultures, experiences and assets they bring to our community. Since 2001, people all over the world have celebrated World Refugee Day with events that honor the world’s more than 15 million refugees and raise awareness about their continued plight. For more information about the event and refugees worldwide, visit http://www.tcworldrefugeeday.org.