PRESS RELEASE
WORLD REFUGEE DAY 2020
Beyond the emergency – Beyond the emergency
Tools and opportunities for refugee protection and inclusion
On the occasion of World Refugee Day 2020 celebrations, Mosaico – Azioni per i Rifugiati, in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE), is offering a calendar of events titled “Beyond the Emergency – Beyond the Emergency,” which will take place live streamed on June 15, 18, and 23, 2020 on Mosaico’s official social pages and website.
International Refugee Day is celebrated each year on June 20 to commemorate the 1951 adoption of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees by the United Nations General Assembly. Each year the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) selects a common theme to coordinate celebratory events around the world. Mosaico coordinates and manages this event.
Experts and protagonists from the national and international scene will speak on this year’s theme, discussing the main current issues, dwelling in particular on the contexts and scenarios that the global pandemic looms in the present and near future, offering an overview of the prospects of the Global Compact for Refugees, European policies on asylum, integration and the initiatives promoted by civil society and refugees themselves.
Once again this year, World Refugee Day represents an importantopportunity to meet and gather reflections and proposals, continuing to be a point of reference for all citizenship.
The common commitment is to create discussion spaces for issues such as solidarity and collaboration and integration. Migration processes and the integration of refugee persons in the contexts of arrival are complex processes that need to be addressed through coherent actions at the European, national and local levels.
Within the local context, municipalities and regions play the role of key actors in the integration process. This work is positive when communities take action and adopt effective strategies to welcome refugees, and when they are adequately supported to be able to reach their full potential within welcoming environments. The EU plays a key role in the development of legal standards. Standards and funding that turn out to be crucial for strengthening social cohesion.
At the present time of pandemic spread of the Covid-19 virus, all these issues take on even greater centrality if possible. Indeed, only through collaboration and through a great humanitarian spirit will it be possible to best manage the months and years to come, positively impacting people’s lives. World Refugee Day intends to focus on these issues, highlighting the problems and possible solutions, creating a coherent narrative in order to better understand current migration movements and the state of the art in refugee reception.
Program: “Beyond the emergency – Beyond the emergency. Tools and Opportunities for Refugee Protection and Inclusion.”
Monday, June 15, 2020
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
A step with refugees
An open window on the realities that work closely with the territories, developing projects for and with refugees.
Guests: Ilaria Caramia (Compagnia di San Paolo), Giovanna Castagna (Open Society Foundations), Virginia Antonini (Reale Group), Ruth Kiyindou (Mosaico – Azioni per i Rifugiati).
Moderator: Federica Vairo (Mosaico – Azioni per i Rifugiati)
Thursday, June 18, 2020
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Beyond Covid-19
Institutions and refugees for the protection of the most fragile segments of the population. What actions in place? What future prospects?
Guests: Ana de Vega (UNHCR Senior Protection Officer), Catherine Woolhard (ECRE), Lorenzo Trucco (ASGI), Berthin Nzonza (Mosaico – Azioni per i Rifugiati).
Moderator: Michele Manocchi (Centre for Research on Migration and Ethnic Relations at Western University in London, Ontario – Canada)
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
From 6 pm to 7 pm
International networks with refugees
An overview of European policies and an open discussion on best practices aiming to strengthen refugees’ protection, integration and active participation.
With: UNHCR Brussels, Yonous Muhammadi (Director of GFR, Member of Advisory Panel of Fundamental Right Platform at FRA), Najib Obaid Babakerkhail (Founder and Director France Refugee Council), Yagoub Kibeida (Mosaico – Azioni per i Rifugiati).
Moderated by Ferruccio Pastore (FIERI)