Jun 20 - World Refugee Day

Established in 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly, (Resolution 55/76) on 4 December 2000 The World Refugee Day was first celebrated in 2001. The date of June 20 was chosen to coincide with Africa Refugee Day.

Each year, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) selects a theme and coordinates events across the globe. "Real People, Real Needs" is the theme for World Refugee Day 2009.

For the 42 million uprooted people around the world, a shortage or lack of the essentials of life - clean water, food, sanitation, shelter, health care and protection from violence and abuse - means that every day can be a struggle just to survive.

World Refugee Day 2009 will provide an occasion to salute the incredible tenacity and strength of the world's refugees, not just in enduring the dangers and violence of the crises that made them refugees, but also in the fortitude they display in rebuilding their lives and contributing to their society.

Portuguese Mr. António Guterres, who joined UNHCR on June 15, 2005, is the UN refugee agency's 10th High Commissioner.

"The refugees I have met and spent time with have profoundly changed my life. Today I want to thank them for letting me into their lives". (Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie)