On Saturday, June 22nd, 2019, the International Rescue Committee in Dallas, Refugee Services of Texas, Catholic Charities of Dallas, Mosaic Family Services and Northwest Community Center celebrated World Refugee Day! Families and individuals from all over Dallas came together at Conrad High School to honor and celebrate the refugee community in Dallas and the stories they bring with them.

World Refugee Day, internationally observed on June 20th, is a day to recognize the strength of the more than 70.8 million displaced people around the world, 26 million of whom are refugees. World Refugee Day has been recognized annually by the United Nations since 2001, the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention.

At the World Refugee Day Celebration, performances such as Burundian drummers, Nepali dancers, and Folklorico dancers showcased the vibrant cultures of our refugee neighbors while crafts and carnival games provided a multisensory experience for community members of all ages. Families also had the opportunity to have free portraits taken during the event.

With comments from Texas Representative John Turner and Councilmember Gates, the Dallas community truly showed up to stand with refugees.

You can watch a short news story that covered the event here.