EUROPE - UNHCR

WRD REPORT 2012
EUROPE
Central and Eastern Europe (please see individual country summaries below)
There was very good placement of the Angelina Jolie PSA for free, which was aired more than 490 times on 35 channels in five countries in Central Europe
between 14 and 25 June, despite competition from paid advertisements during EURO12. Contacting high-level decision makers worked best in securing
space, as well as pitching the spot as part of a global campaign.
• Television remains the best way to reach a mass audience. Just one broadcast of the Angelina Jolie PSA on M1 in Hungary on 14 June, reached more than
630,000 people. One broadcast in Poland on TVP1 (22 June) reached 2.3 million people, according to TVP reports.
• A localized dilemmas campaign web page was developed in six languages, and launched on 14 July. Together, the site had some 9,000 unique visits
between 14 June and 1 July, with people spending an average of 6 minutes on the site. This is more than twice as long as visitors normally spend on
UNHCR’s site in CE, suggesting people engaged with the campaign, did the quiz and watched the videos. (In Poland, the average visitor spent 10 minutes on
the WRD 2012 campaign site)
• Media websites drove most of the traffic to our campaign pages with campaign banners placed pro bono or direct links with text. Some media outlets
were reluctant to run banners, which drive traffic away from their sites; others won’t run free banners with logos as they attract VAT for the media
company.
• Direct contact with journalists and editors worked best in securing media coverage for WRD. In Bulgaria, UNHCR was in the news every day between 14
and 21 June. In Poland, the Global Trends report received massive coverage reaching a (conservative) estimate of 3 million people. Three UNHCR staff was
interviewed on major influential TV programs during the campaign period.
Across the region, some 144 media items appeared on WRD, including 20 interviews with UNHCR on major electronic media.
• Novel approaches to placing the PSA saw our WRD spot placed on all flights of Bulgaria’s national airline reaching 44,000 passengers. A partnership with
an indoor publicity company led to the PSA running every 9 minutes in 43 subway stations, supermarkets and airport terminals. The city bus company in
Ljubljana, Slovenia, ran the spot on all its buses between 13 and 20 June (see the photo in the annex.)
• The campaign generated record numbers of people viewing our regional English language Facebook page. The peak day was June 20 when we reached
26,084 people. Overall in June, we gained 335 new fans (twice as many as the previous month) and 907 people were talking about our page - - a four-fold
increase from the previous month.
• A key lesson is to ensure campaign materials (banners & PSA) are ready earlier to secure more pro bono support from the media. This will allow us to
show the final 2 spot to decision makers and secure more spaces earlier, freeing up valuable time just before WRD to focus on media relations.
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WRD REPORT 2012
Central Europe WRD campaign focus
The UNHCR Regional Representation for Central Europe (RRCE) 1 adapted the global dilemmas campaign for World Refugee Day (WRD) in 2012, with
elements of the campaign and the Angelina Jolie PSA used in local languages in five countries (Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland and Slovenia) with a PI
presence and on the regional English language online platforms. The decision to adapt the global campaign was reached at the Regional PI meeting in mid-
May 2012. While staff liked the idea behind the dilemmas campaign, it was felt the final messaging and execution (i.e. campaign materials, pictures and
slogans) did not really fit the refugee situation in the region. The PI team was keen to revive the message on smuggling that had been signaled in earlier
campaign concept notes. This left little time to adapt, produce and place materials and content but the regional team worked very hard to achieve good
results.
Lessons learned
• Making personal contact and engaging with the media directly worked well. Fostering relations and a sustained campaign approach, offering new, unique
and relevant content throughout, helped build trust between UNHCR and the media.
• Being a co-sponsor of community events worked well in Bulgaria, leaving UNHCR free of the logistical tasks in event management and able to focus on
media relations, interviews and social media.
• Personal contacts and targeting high level management worked best in placing the PSA and the banners in the media.
• Having all campaign materials – PSA, banner, videos, and website – available earlier would help securing pro bono support for the campaign, and free up
staff to work on media relations and coverage for WRD.
• The local calls to action require much more focused promotion. PI staff needs to find new angles to promote this over summer.
• The campaign focus was finalized rather late (only at the PI meeting in mid-May) and while staff made Herculean efforts to pull everything off in time, we
did perhaps take too much on in a short time period. In less than a month, the campaign was localized, built the websites in six languages, liaised with NGOs
to develop the calls to action, developed local dilemmas for national sites, produced three local videos, translated the PSA and all campaign videos
coordinating postproduction for six language versions, placed the PSA and web banners, conducted media relations, gave interviews and organized events.
This may have overly dispersed our energies in some markets. Not all the local content was ready in time to build into media and social media plans.
• Still, a lot was achieved in a short space of time and I really commend the members of the Central Europe PI team for their dedication and congratulate
them on their success.
Western Europe (please see individual country summaries below)
On WRD, the UNHCR Representation to the European Institutions in Strasbourg co-organized and (spoke as experts in) an awareness-raising and consensusbuilding
internal roundtable to prohibit the detention of unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) seeking asylum in Europe with the Council of
Europe’s Children’s Rights Unit. Other speakers were from the European Court of Human Rights and other relevant EU authorities. The related legal
standards and practices were discussed. On 19 June, the film “Eden à l'Ouest” by Costa-Gavras was screened at a cinema, followed by a debate with Jean-
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WRD REPORT 2012
Paul Costa, former President of the European Court of Human Rights and UNHCR Strasbourg Representative. Participants were sensitized about the
difficulties faced by asylum seekers travelling to and arriving in Europe. A debate “How to Ensure respect for Human Rights in Europe” co-organised with a
local NGO was held at the regional school for attorneys. UNHCR Rep, Assistant to the Mayor and CoE Commissioner for Human Rights informed the
attending 60 lawyers, future attorneys and judges of the main challenges faced by refugees in Europe.
Albania
Handcrafts exhibition of Refugee Women – World Refugee Day
On the occasion of World Refugee Day 2012, an exhibition with handicrafts of refugee Women in Albania was opened in the premises of the UN offices. The
exhibition was initiated by the local Implementing Partner of UNCHR Tirana, Refugee Migrant Services in Albania and it was facilitated by them. The
exhibition stayed open for three days and it consisted in about 50 items produced by all refugee women residing in Tirana (the capital). Refugee women
used the opportunity to identify themselves through their work. They managed accurately. They included in their work parts of their past from the
countries they are coming, pieces of art and culture, inherited techniques of preparing the handicrafts, and they feel other features they feel proud it
belongs to their identity. Many of them see the handcrafting as a very efficient tool for integration in the country, given also many other difficulties to be
adapted to the reality. It was worth to be mentioned that the women that were presented through this activity were from a very young age, 18-19 years old
till over 60 years old. Many of the exhibition visitors expressed their curiosity not only in seeing the products but also asking on the techniques and
specificities of the works, “I am working as a needlewoman for the last one year to earn my living in Albania,” said N.A, one of the participants who also
sought the government’s support for promoting their handicrafts. UNHCR Tirana and RMSA feel enthusiastic for including women and young girls in this
initiative and make them part of the commemoration of this year World Refugee Day. They are both working to facilitate refugee artisans and one of the
purposes of this exhibition was to initiate and find markets for their future works.
A newspaper Supplement on World Refugee Day
As three years ago, UNHCR Tirana chose to conduct another 4 pager newspaper supplement in one of the national independent newspapers. As per a
request for offer conducted Shqiptarja.com, a recently established press media, but with well distinguished journalists, editors and staff was chosen as the
best offer. The daily press run of the mentioned paper is 5,000 copies. Materials introduced in the supplement were chosen and reviewed by UNHCR Tirana.
Other asylum subsystem actors were invited and involved to place their input in the supplement. In concrete terms the ones that contributed were the
Directorate for Nationality and Refugees in the Ministry of Interior and the Local Implementing Partner; RMSA.
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TV Channels broadcasted PSA spot
WRD REPORT 2012
Three National TV channels broadcasted twice per day (on 20 June 2012) the PSA spot translated/duplicated into Albanian language.
Every minute 8 people are forced to flee their home, because of war and persecution. No one chooses to be a refugee. Over 43 million people around the
world have displaced from their home. Remember them on this day. All three of them showed the pot free of charge and expressed a high level of interest
in being cooperative in occasions as such towards UNHCR Tirana.
Commemoration of the World Refugee Day in the premises of the National Reception Centre for Asylum Seekers, Babrru – Tirana
On 20 th of June the Directorate for Nationality and Refugees (Ministry of Interior), in cooperation with UNHCR National Office in Tirana organized also a
gathering in the premises of the National Reception Centre for Asylum Seekers on the occasion of WRD. Government officials, donors, international and
national civil society organizations, refugees and asylum seekers participated in this gathering. The Head of the Directorate for Refugees and Nationality in
the Ministry of Interior, Mrs. Drita Avdyli, thanked in her speech all, in a way or in another, have contributed and still contribute to the issue of refugees and
other persons in the world who are in need of international protection. This is very precious and substantial contribution for the accomplishment of its
international obligations by Albania, but above all it is a proof of the commitment of this country towards human rights in general and rights of refugees in
particular.
Summer Course for Refugee Children and Teenagers - Cultural Diversity and Refugee Integration
A summer course for refugee children was organized in the framework of the World Refugee Day 2012 from 25 to 29 June 2012.
11 refugee children of age 12-18 participated in it. It was perceived in a bi-dimensional approach; to build upon a theoretical framework of the concept of
refugee while tried in the same time to involve the refugee youngsters in a multi-cultural environment in which experiences and activities will be merged
throughout a week among the staff of the Reception centre, trainers and facilitators, UNHCR and refugee children. The idea was to place the refugee
children in some premises outside the reception facilities, in the outskirts of Tirana, in order to act and inter-act independently from their daily routines.
The activity was supported logistically by the staff of the Reception Centre and the formal permissions of the parents were ensured by the Social
Counselors. The objective of this Summer Course was to increase the visibility of UNHCR to the public and achieve as well the full integration of refugees in
Albania. A thorough evaluation process all the stages of the course was conducted by the trainers on a daily basis but also by the organizers, the Bethany
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WRD REPORT 2012
Advanced Training Centre. The participants appreciated the activity as very needed and interesting. They expressed very good impressions and opinions on
all the aspects of this summer course. Certificates on the attend ace of Course were distributed the last day of the activity 29 June by the Head of UNHCR
National Office in Tirana
Armenia
This year’s World Refugee Day turned into a parade of public events organized by UNHCR Armenia and Partners, students, children, refugees and asylum
seekers in Yerevan and in the regions. Official ceremonies, round tables and discussions, marches and flash-mobs, youth and media events, demonstration
of WRD PSA-s, exhibitions and contests filled World Refugee Day 2012 commemorations through ensuring
outmost WRD visibility throughout.
World Refugee Day was, firstly, launched with Press Conference by the youth, the participants of a one-month
project organized by Future is Yours Youth NGO aiming to raise awareness regarding refugees and WRD. This
interview with the youth granted the opportunity for the audience to learn about refugee cause and give a
better understanding of what it means to be a refugee. In the end, the children called for solidarity with
refugees: There are millions of refugees who have lost everything. ‘One refugee family forced to flee is too
many…’
An official ceremony of signing a Memorandum of Understanding between UNHCR and the Human Rights
Defender of the Republic of Armenia was held at the UN House with the participation of government officials,
NGOs and UN colleagues. The event, co-hosted by Mr. Damtew Dessalegne, UNHCR Representative and Mr. Karen Andreasyan, Human Rights Defender,
meant to build closer and even more constructive ties between the two offices to work hand in hand and give voice to the voiceless and empower the
powerless.
The specially produced WRD PSA with the participation of a prominent national footballer, Eduard Markarov,
whose 70th anniversary was marked on 20 June, and Angelina Jolie’s WRD-2012 PSA were demonstrated during
the event to raise the awareness of public on refugee perspective in Armenia and worldwide. The PSA-s were
widely demonstrated during World Refugee week on 18 – 30 June 2012 during various events and on the screens
of the city streets, monitors of Armenia International Airports, Moscow Cinema, through various public TV
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channels and social networks and at UN House.
WRD REPORT 2012
In the evening of June 20 UNHCR's Partner, Women's Resource Centre Armenia organized WRD march with flash mob in the downtown of Yerevan to
promote refugee women perspective worldwide. The participants, among them refugee women, passed their messages through the specially prepared
sketch: T-shirts hanging on laundry rope with statements to describe how it feels to be a refugee woman, the sensations, challenges and the difficult path
refugee women have to go through during the flight. One of the refugee women was telling her story of becoming a refugee.
On 21 June, Mission Armenia NGO, UNHCR's long-standing Partner on the social assistance to vulnerable elderly
refugees, organized a World Refugee Day event in the Iraqi community, Darbnik village in Kotayk marz. The
exhibition/sale of handicraft by refugees, combined with traditional goodies prepared and offered by refugees,
made a splash. Concert with songs, dances and poem reciting by Iraqi refugees trimmed the event and
performances by a dancing group comprising elderly refugees from Azerbaijan, made the event a real success.
A drawing contest on refugee/WRD theme by children from the 4 refugee communities in Ararat marz (Nizami,
Khachpar, Hayanist and Sis villages) was organized by Save the Children International in the youth centre of Sis
village. The Sis village mayor mentioned in his welcoming speech that he was well aware refugees’ challenges
and issues being once a refugee himself.
On Thursday, 21 June morning, a group of 150 high-school students, the volunteers of Future of Yours NGO,
Diaspora youth from Birth Right Armenia and Armenian Volunteer Corps, joined by UN colleagues organized a
grandiose WRD march in the downtown of Yerevan.
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WRD REPORT 2012
UNHCR Armenia’s Partner, the Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS) organized cuisine contest by asylum seekers and refugees in Lovers Park, a popular place
in Yerevan. The traditional dishes prepared by refugees and asylum seekers were tested both by the visitors of the park and the invitees who were to vote
for the ‘most delicious’ team. The contest results were announced, winners’ and encouragement prizes awarded.
The Erebuni Plaza hall hosted around 200 guests from government institutions, diplomatic missions, local and international organizations, university and
school children. The youth, high-school children and refugees, presented their achievements gained through the one-month, prior to WRD awarenessraising
activities and promotion of refugee cause which Future is Yours NGO had organized for them with the support of UNHCR Armenia.
WRD 2012 events ensured active participation and involvement of public. They gained the attention of wider audience thanks to excellent promotion of the
World Refugee Day – 2012 combined with WRD/UNHCR visibility through specially produced
Dilemma campaign posters, banners and T-shirts ‘Einstein was a refugee’ and 1 is too many; hats and UNHCR flags. WRD Press Release was issued, TV, print
and electronic media covered the World Refugee Day events and held interviews with UNHCR Representative and Partners.
Austria
Youth plays and games, umbrella march, DVD, brochure
Three refugee actors of the play "Die Reise" ("the journey"), currently staged in Vienna, told their own life stories and staged
a play enacting their lives. Children then interactively developed their own stories and screened them as short plays on flight
and asylum topics. Some 70 students participated in the "Model UN" simulation game where new resolutions for refugee
protection (adapted to current refugee situations) were drafted, debated and voted on.
Students represented the UN and UNHCR, member states, the World Bank, NGOs, etc. UNHCR Austria participated in the Austrian edition of the European
umbrella march, which was followed by statements of refugees, NGOs, artists and UNHCR. On WRD, UNHCR released its new brochure "Look behind your
prejudices" encouraging introspection on 7 widespread prejudices against asylum seekers and including testimonials from refugees. Some of these were
interviewed for WRD by a radio station and press. Austria also disseminated the Dilemma campaign via the web and social media.
The PSA was placed in cinemas and TV channels as well. The updated UNHCR DVD Protecting Refugees including new material , e.g., the film A Life on Hold
on the global need for resettlement and the Marathon spot (in cooperation with DE; CH) - all translated or dubbed in German – was released.
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WRD REPORT 2012
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan – Event, Special Envoy’s PSA, Press Release and food distribution
The 2012 World Refugee Day was observed at the International Mugam Centre in Baku, Azerbaijan on the 20th of June. The event was a joint venture with
the Government of Azerbaijan and was attended by some 350 participants, including representatives of diplomatic corps, parliamentarians, high ranking
Government officials, representatives of UN agencies and non-governmental organizations, as well as community representatives of refugee and internally
displaced persons. Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov made the opening speech and highlighted the
purpose and importance of celebrating World Refugee Day. He also underlined Azerbaijan’s own displacement problem with almost 600,000 internally
displaced persons.
The Public Service Announcement by UNHCR Special Envoy, Angelina Jolie, was followed by the speech of Dag Sigurdson, UNHCR Representative in
Azerbaijan. A short slide show prepared by refugee youth living in Azerbaijan and illustrating their life story, challenges and aspirations was displayed for
the audience. The official part was followed by a cultural performance organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The programme
included traditional and modern music performances. After the official part of the programme, the invited guests proceeded to the lobby where they could
enjoy refreshments, intermingle and have a look and purchase handicraft items produced by refugee women.
Through the joint efforts of UNHCR and the Government of Azerbaijan, the event successfully achieved its main objective of raising public awareness about
the challenges of displacement both in Azerbaijan and around the globe. All major local television channels, news agencies and newspapers provided media
coverage of the event.
Special Envoy’s PSA
The Public Service Announcement (PSA) by UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie was broadcasted from 18 June to 26 June 2012 by all major television
channels of Azerbaijan, including regional ones.
The PSA has been played on all digital monitors at Baku Subway stations and wagons since 16 June 2012 and on five monitors located in the busiest parts of
the city since 21 June 2012. It is agreed to continue demonstrating the PSA on those monitors by 23 July 2012.
The PSA was placed on the website of Azerbaijan State Telegraph Agency on 13 June 2012 as a multimedia material for the broader use by press agencies.
Press Release
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WRD REPORT 2012
Press Release issued by the UNHCR Communications and Public Information Service was circulated among Azerbaijani media in English, French and
Azerbaijani languages on 18 June 2012.
Food distribution
Thanks to an in-kind donation of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth, Saudi Arabian International Non-Governmental Organisation, food assistance was
delivered to refugees and asylum seekers registered by UNHCR Azerbaijan at the Refugee Women and Youth Centre on the eve of World Refugee Day 2012.
Belarus
Role-playing game “Youth on the run”
On May 25—27, the Belarusian Red Cross Society with the support of the UNHCR Office in Belarus in the
framework of the EU—UNHCR project “Local Integration of Refugees in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine”
organised a role-playing game “Youth on the run” (a 24-hour simulation of the mass refugee flee situation). It
was conducted near Logoisk (Minsk Region) for some 50 young people (including 18 volunteer instructors) to
better familiarize with and understand refugee issues from the inside through imitating their hard way to a
new life. The game was conducted with youth in order to promote tolerant attitude towards refugees and
asylum-seekers, people who need protection and assistance in a new country for them. Such a game shows
young people which problems people face when they try to get into another country for refuge.
Republican Festival of National Cultures
The 9th Republican Festival of National Cultures took place in Grodno on June 1-3, 2012. The number of participants has
been increasing year to year; if the first festival featured only 11 ethnic associations, this year it hosted 33 of them.
About 2,000 people participated in various events of the forum. These were artists, craftsmen, diplomatic missions,
representatives of Belarusian communities abroad and delegations from twin-towns. UNHCR Representative in the
Republic of Belarus, Ms. Sholeh Safavi, participated in the event for the 3rd time. She made a speech at the opening
ceremony of the Festival, visited most of the ethnic booths, while focused on Georgian and Afghan stalls where refugee
community members performed their dances, songs, cooked national dishes, etc.
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WRD REPORT 2012
Children’s Art Exhibition
On June 6, 2012 the Children’s Art Exhibition, “Is it difficult to be a refugee?” was opened in the Museum of History of Minsk City. More than 100 works
were exhibited; special place was given to refugee children works. It was really interesting to see how children from entire Belarus reflected their vision of
the refugee problem. Through the participation in the contest children have learned about problems refugees face in their daily live, and it taught them to
be tolerant and merciful. Everyone can visit the exhibition till June 30, 2012.
Football Match
On June 7, 2012 there was a friendly football match between national teams of Belarus and Lithuania. As it was agreed with the Association “Belarus
Football Federation”, after a warm-up of the teams and 15 min prior to the beginning of the match, the stadium announcer communicated UNHCR’s special
message devoted to the World Refugee Day. This was one of the activities aimed at raising awareness of the general public about the refugee issues.
Competition on Refugee Law «New Horizon»
On June 13—14, 2012 in the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus the VI International Competition on Refugee Law «New
Horizon» was held, in which representatives of institutions of higher education of ministries of internal affairs and border service from Azerbaijan, Belarus,
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan took part. Two-day programme of the competition included a number of competitive tasks both of academic
nature and physical shape testing. Representatives of the Police Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan took the first prize.
Press-Conference
On June 19, 2012 the press-conference devoted to the World Refugee Day 2012 was held in the National Press Centre of the Republic of Belarus. Ms.
Sholeh Safavi, UNHCR Representative in the Republic of Belarus, Mr. Aleksey Begun, the Head of the Department on Citizenship and Migration of the
Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, and Mr. Vasiliy Zorin, the Head of the Department of Preliminary Inquiry of the State Border
Committee of the Republic of Belarus, took part in it.
Children’s Gala-Concert
On June 20, 2012 the children’s gala-concert dedicated to the World Refugee Day was held in the “House of
Moscow”. All UNHCR partners such as representatives of line Ministries, local and regional authorities,
diplomatic missions, NGO partners, public society and refugee comminity participated in the event. During the
concert the awarding ceremony of the winners of the contest of children’s art works “Is it difficult to be a
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WRD REPORT 2012
refugee?” was held, the one that was organised by the UNHCR Office in Belarus together with the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus and the
CCA “Evrika”.
Social video with Angelina Jolie
Video message of the UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Ms. Angelina Jolie “World Refugee Day” – “Do One Thing” was broadcasted at the subway stations of
Minsk and at the second national channel ONT in the course of June 2012.
Belgium
Together with its partners, late in the evenings of 18 and 19 June, UNHCR projected the simulation of an attack (featuring a bombarded refugee) on a
historic building in a busy square in the EU neighbourhood. Complete with dramatic music, helicopter sounds and gunfire, the spectacular event was
designed to demonstrate that anyone can be forced to flee under circumstances. The event was viewed by the hundreds of young people at the square and
subsequently by 20,000 online newspaper readers. The matchstick spot was played on the leading Flemish and Francophone TV stations every evening and
on all the Francophone and Flemish refugee stations throughout the week of WRD. Interest for the event had been raised via the site
www.refugeeforaday.be, which registered 5000 hits, as well as by a viral Facebook campaign, which chars the photographs of those who join it, reminding
them of what happens to refugees. The program was installed by 1000 Facebook members and shared by 2000. On the morning of WRD, 400 NGO
volunteers distributed 25000 bike spoke cards at 25 railway stations.
The movie “The Mission” was projected, watched by several hundred young people who took home bookmarks and Dilemma posters. The Global Trends
report combined with the WRD activities led to very wide media coverage. Next to several interviews with UNHCR, including a joint interview with the
Regional Rep and the Europe Bureau Director, the WRD activities were picked up by almost all media in Belgium. The matchstick spot was played on the
leading Flemish and Francophone TV stations every evening and on all the Francophone and Flemish refugee stations throughout the week of WRD. Interest
for the event had been galvanized via a dedicated website www.refugeeforaday.be and a viral Facebook campaign, which chars the photographs of those
who join it, reminding them of what happens to refugees. This was spread by 1000 Facebook members. On the morning of WRD, 400 volunteers distributed
at 25 railway stations 25000 bike spoke cards. When pegged to bike spokes, the cards sound like machine guns. The Global Trends report combined with
the WRD activities led to very wide media coverage. Next to several interviews with UNHCR, the activities were picked up by almost all media in Belgium.
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Bosnia and Herzegovina
WRD REPORT 2012
Overall aims
In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), for World Refugee Day UNHCR organized an event open to the community to raise
awareness of the challenges facing returnees, refugees and internally displaced persons, especially those who live in
the collective centers throughout the country. The overall goal was the mobilization of national and international
partners, not only on Annex 7 activities but also in relation to asylum and statelessness.
Theme and purpose
In BiH, UNHCR was concerned that the global theme “1 is too many” could be misunderstood and misconstrued in the current context in the country, for
example that one refugee recognized or given citizenship is too many. Therefore UNHCR in BiH focused on protection, choosing a new theme to be
highlighted for the event and for the exhibition: “Protection: a Human Right”. This theme was identified as being broad enough to encompass all of our
persons of concern and areas of focus. Also, it can be applied to the past displacement as well as to newly arrived asylum seekers and refugees, and to
persons at risk of statelessness. Global WRD materials, including Angelina Jolie’s video statement, were nonetheless distributed and featured at all related
events.
The Exhibition
The World Refugee Day 2012 in BiH was marked by a range of events between 19 and 26 June. The main event was a photography exhibition held in the Art
Gallery of BiH in Sarajevo, featuring the work of South Africa-born Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, Mr. Greg Marinovich who visited vulnerable
minority returnees, and displaced families living in collective centres, in various parts of BiH in March 2012. 34 photographs were selected for display.
Mr. Marinovich, co-author of The Bang-Bang Club: Snapshots from a Hidden War, a non-fiction book on South Africa’s transition to democracy, has spent 18
years documenting conflict around the globe. His photographs have appeared in notable international publications such as Time, Newsweek, The New York
Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and The Guardian.
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WRD REPORT 2012
An evening reception for the opening of the exhibition was held on 19 June 2012. The speakers included Mr. Andrew Mayne, UNHCR Representative in BiH,
Mr. Damir Ljubic, BiH Minister for Human Rights and refugees, Mr. Sadik Ahmetovic, BiH Minister of Security and Dr. Valentin Inzko, High Representative in
BiH.
Given that only a small number of speakers would be able to make statements at the reception for the exhibition
opening, a joint press release was also issued earlier on 19 June to emphasize the coalition of international and
national partners that are involved in providing protection and in defending it as a human right. The press release
included coordinated World Refugee Day statements from the EU Special Representative, the Minister of Human Rights
and Refugees, the Minister of Security, the High Representative, the Heads of Delegation of the OSCE and the Council
of Europe, the UN Resident Coordinator, the Head of the legal aid partner Vasa Prava BiH (representing civil society)
and the UNHCR Representative.
The exhibition opening event was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, UNHCR, OHR, the EU Delegation in BiH, the OSCE, the Ministry of
Security, Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees, the Entity governments (the Federation of BiH and the Republika Srpska), and UNHCR’s NGO partners.
The exhibition was opened to the public from 20 to 26 June, from 12 noon to 8 pm each day, including Saturday and Sunday. Representatives from UNHCR
and implementing partners were present every day during the working hours of the Gallery as hosts of this event. A small but steady trickle of national and
international visitors attended.
In addition, the partners hosted the following in the BiH Art Gallery, open to the public:
20 June:
Foundation for Local Democracy: 12:00-16:00, arts and crafts for children.
Bosnia-Herzegovina Women’s Initiative: 13:00-15:00, a group of women from the asylum center visited the exhibition.
21 June:
Foundation for Local Democracy: 12:00-16:00, arts and crafts for children.
Bosnia-Herzegovina Women’s Initiative: 13:00-15:00, a group of refugee children from private accommodation in Sarajevo visited the exhibition; certificates
were distributed for best pupils and athletes.
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WRD REPORT 2012
Hilfswerk Austria International: 12:00-14:00, a group of beneficiaries of social housing project in Ilijas visited the exhibition.
22 June: Foundation for Local Democracy 12:00-16:00, arts and crafts for children.
23 June: Foundation for Local Democracy 12:00-16:00, arts and crafts for children.
Other related events
Other events that took place to coincide with the World Refugee Day 2012 included a visit by Mr. Andrew Mayne and Mr. Damir Ljubic, BiH Minister for
Human Rights and Refugees, to the refugee centre in Salakovac near Mostar that currently houses 43 persons, mostly from Kosovo. Also, a football match
between two local teams was hosted at the Salakovac centre. Certificates of achievement were awarded to refugee children. Minister Ljubic used the
occasion to reiterate his commitment to closing all of the remaining collective centres in BiH over the next two years, in which close to 8,600 individuals are
still accommodated on a temporary basis.
Mr. Andrew Mayne met with local authorities in Vlasenica, Omaci and Derventa and also attended the handover of income generation support to persons
of concern.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria co-hosted and participated in several WRD events, including a multicultural concert in the central park of the National Theatre, which also
generated positive media coverage. There was also a stakeholder meeting on Bulgaria as a future resettlement country, a refugee children’s drawing
competition and visit for refugee children to see sleeping beauty to mark WRD.
In Bulgaria, UNHCR was in the news media every day between 14 June to 21 June across multiple and influential media channels in TV, print, radio and
online. The Global Trends report received the widest coverage, followed by the Dilemmas Campaign launch on 14 June, and the WRD press release.
Additional coverage was received during the 17 June multicultural event and the national multi-stakeholders meeting on resettlement on 19 June. UNHCR
also organized TV interviews with three refugees in Bulgaria who have integrated well on a programme that interviews people in a taxi, while touring Sofia.
In Bulgaria, the PSA was placed on bTV debuting just before the popular morning programme “Before Lunch”, then three screenings a day for ten days and
five screenings on WRD. The Programata cultural guide hosted the PSA for one week. The spot screened 33 times in total.
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WRD REPORT 2012
Croatia
On 18th of June UNHCR Croatia participated at the event organised by the Ministry of Interior and the Croatian Red Cross in the Reception Centre for
Asylum Seekers in Kutina. Football team Lokomotiva from Kutina also participated in marking of this day by playing a game with asylum seekers. UNHCR
provided T-shirts worn by participants with the motif ‘somewhere/nowhere’.
On the occasion of World Refugee Day, UNHCR and the Centre for Peace Studies organized on 19th of June a roundtable entitled "Affirmation of integration
policies and practices in the local community" in the House of Human Rights in Zagreb. The aim of the roundtable was to stimulate the development of
integration policies and practices in the city of Zagreb.
20 June, UNHCR Croatia, MoI, Croatian Red Cross, Centre for Peace Studies and Jesuit Refugee Service organized, in the sports center Utrina, an exhibition
of art made by asylum seekers, tasting of food made according to recipes from the seekers domicile countries and a football tournament between UN,
asylum seekers, ecumenical and CRC teams. UNHCR provided T-shirts and 10 footballs later to be used by Reception centers for recreational purposes of
A/S. Novosti weekly published an interview with UNHCR Croatia Representative Mr. Terence Pike. The topics were of somewhat global nature, however the
majority of questions and answers were closely linked to regional and Croatia refugee/returnee issue.
UNHCR Croatia titled the GWA Jolie 2012 video clip into Croatia and distributed it to three major TV and two cinema outlets (HTV, Nova TV, RTL, Cinestar),
which ran the clip during the WRD week.
UNHCR Croatia produced 100 posters (and another 100 were printed for free) and distributed them to implementing partners for use in their facilities, local
community and key WRD and other events. The posters followed the PI guidance however the photos and messages were localized.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic marked WRD on June 20 with a refugee festival organized by NGOs and supported by UNHCR. In the Czech Republic, the Head of Office
organized and made a number of media appearances on radio and television where she spoke about the situation for refugees in that country. The WRD
events in Košice, Slovakia, also received some media attention, and Afghan women staying at the Emergency Transit Centre were interviewed by local
television.
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WRD REPORT 2012
Cyprus
An event to award the winners of the school competition "Even 1 victim of xenophobia and racism is too many" took place on the 19 th of June. The event
was well attended by students, parents and teachers as well as refugees and migrants. During the event, UNHCR Representative made an opening speech
and awarded the winners of the competition and the PSA of Angelina Jolie was also released.
Two press releases were shared with media and other contacts prior and after the event (to inform about the winners of the competition). The event was
covered by three newspapers and PI officer gave a radio interview on the occasion of the competition and WRD.
A special webpage has been designed, where the winning posters and videos can be seen.
Background information on the competition
The school competition "Even 1 victim of xenophobia and racism is too many"- the title inspired from the 1 campaign as well as from UNHCR Greece
campaign “Even 1 victim of racist violence is too many”- was jointly launched beginning of 2012 by UNHCR Cyprus, Ombudsman and the Representation in
Cyprus of the European Commission; and approved by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The competition was announced in two categories, namely
posters and videos and schools were invited to participate in the competition by submitting one work.
The objectives of the competition were:
- To foster understanding and empathy for migrants in general and for asylum seekers and refugees in particular.
- To underscore the positive contribution that migrants, including refugees, do make in their hosting society.
- To counter negative perceptions and attitudes towards migrants in general, including refugees and asylum seekers who have sought protection in Cyprus.
- To promote tolerance, social cohesion and peaceful coexistence between students of different cultures, beliefs and religions.
The objectives were formally announced in the circular of the Ministry and it was envisaged from the onset that the award ceremony would take place on
the occasion of the World Refugee Day.
UNHCR's Dilemma campaign press ads
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WRD REPORT 2012
Press ads with the dilemma posters have been published in two newspapers and one magazine; overall 4 times, during the Refugee week. The newspapers
will continue publishing the press ads, free of charge, until the end of the year upon availability; no specific media plan has been agreed but previous
experience (e.g. with the posters of the 1 campaign last year) has shown that UNHCR posters appear in the two newspapers, on average, twice a month.
Global trends 2011 press release was published in 4 newspapers. AJ's audio-visual message shared with the national broadcasting channel, which accepted
to release it on a pro bono basis. UN SG's message published in 1 newspaper.
France
Newspaper supplement, student contest, press conference
Le Monde diplomatique published a 4- pages supplement on UNHCR and its populations of concern in the English, French and Arabic versions of its June
edition. It included an article by the High Commissioner and an ad from the 1 campaign. The HC’s article will be re-printed in the Spanish, Portuguese and
Italian editions, as well as in Egypt’s largest newspaper, Al Ahram. In its 5th year, the winning article of the UNHCR- Le Monde 5th year of competition for
journalism students was published in the daily’s June 20 edition, with a reference to UNHCR and WRD. Winners can also visit a UNHCR operation in the
field.
Georgia
Goodwill Ambassador Public Service Announcement (GWA PSA)
For the third year running, thanks to generous support of Georgian Public Broadcaster, the official UNHCR Public Service Announcement (PSA) with
Goodwill Ambassador, Ms. Angelina Jolie, was broadcasted free of charge on Georgian Public Broadcaster-1TV (covers 85% of country) to the Georgian
public reminding about World Refugee Day and displacement of over 42 million people around the world, from 17 to 24 June 2012.
The monument of Mother Georgia in UN blue color
For the fourth year running, thanks to support of Tbilisi Mayor Mr. Gigi Ugulava, monument Mother Georgia was
illuminated in UN blue from 17 to 24 June 2012, alongside the other historic buildings and monuments worldwide.
Radio programme related to IDP issues
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WRD REPORT 2012
On 14 June 2012, in framework of a joint UN radio project, a radio programme was dedicated to IDPs residing in Shida Kartli region and their problems. The
programme involved representative from the Ministry of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees of Georgia (MRA), Head of
Kurta Municipaliti, Shida Kartli region, and UNHCR Assistant Protection Officer from Tbilisi Office. The radio programme was transmitted at 16:00, on
www.radio1.ge, 102.4 FM, and it was possible to listen to it also on Facebook page of the Radio channel. To reach persons of concern to UNHCR directly,
IDPs residing in eight different settlements were directly involved in the programme – they were asked to prepare questions for the participants of the
programme in advance, and during the programme, the programme anchors phoned them and gave possibility to ask their questions live.
IDP and refugee children meet famous Georgian book writers, artist and UNHCR
On 18 June 2012, refugee and internally displaced children met writers Ms. Tea Topuria and Mr. David Dephy Gogibedashvili, artist Mr. Zaliko Sulakauri and
UNHCR Assistant Protection Officer from Tbilisi Office at the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia in the framework of World Refugee Day. UNHCR
Georgia, together with the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia, organized an event for 60 refugees and internally displaced children at age of 5 to 13
from Pankisi Valley and IDP settlement close to Tbilisi. The event gave a unique possibility for these children to see the National Parliamentary Library of
Georgia, meet the writers and artists, as well as to learn more about common experiences of IDPs and refugees, to learn about children’s rights, and to
share their aspirations for the future. The event was generously supported by the Tbilisi Mayor’s Office, which provided buses for bringing children to
Tbilisi, as well as “Palitra media” which donated books for all 60 children.
Media: the event was covered by Library TV, which shared the video through online and social media (which is very popular in Georgia).
IDP children write their messages to Ms. Angelina Jolie, the Special Envoy of the High Commissioner for Refugees
On 19 June 2012, around 70 internally displaced children gathered in a sports hall in the Koda IDP settlement (close to Tbilisi). In time when the PSA of Ms.
Angelina Jolie was broadcasted on the main television channel of Georgia, 1TV (Georgian Public Broadcaster), children wrote their messages to the Special
Envoy expressing their wishes to get back home, as well as their sympathies to Ms. Angelina Jolie. The video of this activity was broadcasted on 1TV on the
next morning. It was a part of the morning programme “Moambe” (described separately below).
Main event Gori, Shida Kartli region (central Georgia, bordering with South Ossetia)
On 20 June 2012, together with the Ministry for Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees of Georgia
(MRA), the Governor’s Office of Shida Kartli region, partner organizations Rural Development for Future Georgia (RDFG) and the Charity Humanitarian
Centre "Abkhazeti" (CHCA), and the Georgian Football Federation the main event for World Refugee Day 2012 was organized in Gori, Shida Kartli.
The main objectives were:
1) To raise awareness of World Refugee Day;
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WRD REPORT 2012
2) To call for solidarity and respect of rights of refugees, IDPs and stateless persons;
3) To pass the message “Living in dignity – durable solutions for displaced persons”
4) To attract attention of the donor community and society in general;
5) To call to help IDPs rebuild their lives (from the official call “You can help refugees rebuild their lives”)
Germany
Symposium, press, Facebook
Some 300 local and national media picked up the Global Trends report, combined with statements, interviews (radio),
photos, videos, links to PSA, dilemma stories and social media. The federal government website and Germany’s two
leading magazines SPIEGEL and BILD covered refugee issues comprehensively, complete with a picture gallery on the
online version.
The 12th Refugee Symposium in Berlin, co-organized by UNHCR, attracted some 300 national and international lawyers
and representatives from (partner) organizations, with a focus on the Dublin II Regulation. Keynote speakers in the
debates included Europe Bureau Director, UNHCR’s Rep. for Austria and Germany, and diverse authorities and political
actors from all German parties. The WRD sub-site posted Dilemma pictures, PSA, and Global Trends. The postings on UNHCR Germany’s Facebook attracted
a record number of visitors (more than 2,150).
Greece
Below are some highlights of WRD activities conducted by UNHCR Greece in June 2012. This year’s WRD coincided with a rather turbulent period for
Greece, including the much-anticipated second round of national elections on 17 June and the formation of a new government a few days later, amid an
environment of deepening economic crisis and social tensions. Nevertheless, all WRD-related activities and UNHCR received considerable visibility while the
feedback received has so far been very positive.
Awards Ceremony for Greek and refugee students on the occasion of the World Refugee Day
UNHCR Greece and the Youth Awareness Committee organized on 23 June in “Technopolis” artistic complex of Athens
Municipality the Annual Student Awards Ceremony to honor primary and secondary education students, as well as UASC
who excelled in the 2011 Student Contest on the theme of racism and xenophobia. More than 400 students, UASC,
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WRD REPORT 2012
parents, members of the academia, representatives of NGOs and political parties, artists and journalists joined a touching and colorful ceremony in order to
raise their voice against intolerance and fear and send messages of solidarity.
The National Student Contest of 2011 garnered the largest number of entries in recent years, while the response of students from the periphery as well
UASC hosted in reception centers was overwhelming. Students from various parts of Greece including border areas (Alexandroupoli, Nea Vyssa of Evros,
Rodopi, Preveza, Symi, Kalymnos, Kalamata, Kefalonia, Athens etc.) excelled with their essays, interviews, photos and spread stories, including the Greek
School in Hanover, Germany and the Polish School in Athens. Twenty seven of these students , as well as seventeen asylum seeking minors from reception
facilities of Agria and Makrinitsa in Volos, Lesvos and Crete were awarded during the Ceremony by the Secretary General for Youth, the GWA George
Dalaras, representatives of the education community, the civil society and the media, among others. Refugee and migrant communities (Cultural Centre of
the Peoples of the East “Gefira”, United African Women Organization, Mandela Girls dance group, and the Syrian community) participated in the ceremony
offering a “taste” of their culture with traditional dances and cuisine. The Art School of Gerakas staged a theatrical play based on an African tale, while
attendants had also the opportunity to visit an art exhibition with African masks, totems, shields and figures made by students. Student projects and
UNHCR videos were also projected on the screens during the event.
One TV station (NET TV) covered the event with a reportage broadcasted on prime time during the evening news bulletin of the same day and the midday
news bulletin of the following day, while 2 radio stations (ERA FM and Athens 98,4 FM) covered the event. Another one (NET 105,8) dedicated a radio talk
show on the Awards Ceremony on Saturday 30 June, hosting interviews of awarded students and UASC from the reception centers of Lesvos and
Makrinitsa-Volos. A web story was uploaded on the website in Greek and English. A video-clip was compiled by a film director from the six – hours filmed
plans of the ceremony. The video clip was uploaded on UNHCR Greece YouTube channel.
Dilemmas Campaign
UNHCR Greece launched the Dilemmas Campaign on 14 June, with a web story and several posts on the
local social media accounts. A similar message was sent to blogs to promote the campaign. The campaign
included the main landing page (www.unhcr.gr/takeaction), three videos with refugee survivors, including
one shot in Greece (with an unaccompanied child in Patras), the three Dilemmas posters, e-banners (both
flash and static), social media profile pictures and templates, free post-cards and mouse-pads locally
created, the Angelina Jolie PSA and a PSA with Greek International Correspondent/Documentary Film
maker Sotiris Danezis.
Since the launch of the “takeaction” campaign there were 16,497 unique page views on the website. Based
on Google analytics, the website on 20th June had 2,045 page views compared to 1,035 unique page views
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on 20th June 2011, increasing the performance by 97.58%.
WRD REPORT 2012
During WRD the total Facebook reach was 33,096 people, increasing the overall performance by 97%. The posts about the campaign engaged existing and
new users, peaking at the 21st of June. The main campaign social media plan was followed, while posts about the events in Greece were also added. The
total number of Facebook posts created and uploaded for the campaign during June was 30.
The main post about the takeaction page was shared 240 times and engaged 1,254 users.
During June and as a main result of the dilemmas campaign there were 220 new Facebook registered users. On Twitter, the UNHCR Greece profile was retweeted
and favorite several times, while 105 new followers were added, including highly followed personalities and groups, as well as political parties.
All campaign videos (PSAs with A.Jolie and S.Danezis, three Dilemmas videos) were subtitled in house into Greek and modified to include the Greek logos.
So far, the videos have been viewed 1,500 times on YouTube and shared by different users, blogs and websites. The PSA with Sotiris Danezis was broadcast
free-of-charge by national and local TV Channels from 21 June to 21 July 2012. According to broadcasting statistics, the video was displayed a total of 383
times, including prime-time zones, like the semi-finals of EURO 2012. The amount saved is estimated at over 18,000 euros.
In addition, Mr. Danezis and Goodwill Ambassador Mr. Dalaras used their own Facebook and Twitter accounts to promote the PSA and Dilemmas campaign.
All videos and campaign material were also posted on several key blogs and portals such as:
Apart from the digital space, WRD material was promoted as follows:
- 75,000 free post-cards were printed and distributed at entertainment touch points (cafeterias, restaurants, cinemas) around Greece. In addition, Olympic
Airways distributed free post-cards to all passengers who traveled with the said company on 20 June.
- Posters were on display in Athens International Airport and in 38 provincial airports around Greece, in railway stations in Athens, in STER multiplex
cinemas and at three central independent cinemas in Athens, as well as at Olympic Airways premises for three weeks from the 20th of June onwards. A
slideshow of Dilemmas posters was also on display on screens of tram vehicles in Athens for three weeks between the13th of June and the 6th of July .
- Angelina Jolie PSA featured on screens of Athens metro stations and railway stations for three weeks from the middle of June onwards.
- Dilemmas posters were printed on 500 mouse pads and distributed during the Student Award Ceremony on 23 June
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WRD REPORT 2012
Support to Cyprus: UNHCR Greece provided help in the adaptation of takeaction landing page for Cyprus www.unhcr.org.cy/takeaction/ Facebook pictures/
videos with refugee survivors / main webpage and Angelina Jolie PSA. All WRD-related translations were also shared with Cyprus.
Global View 2012
Global View 2012 was adapted into Greek and broadcast by Greek State TV ET1 on 20 June, prime time. Additionally, ET-1 broadcast a series of refugeerelated
documentaries after midnight. A UNHCR logo appeared on the screen of the two State TV channels (ET1 & NET) throughout the day.
Hungary
In Hungary, UNHCR staged a roundtable discussion on refugee dilemmas attended by about 85 people. The event was scheduled between sessions at a
refugee and migrant film festival at the Europa Pont venue of the European Commission in Budapest at Millenáris Park. Meanwhile, the PR Company that
organized the magazine on refugees, On the road, also staged three art installations highlighting the refugee experience
at major transport hubs in Budapest. The government organized various WRD events at facilities hosting refugees and
asylum-seekers.
Media coverage came from press releases on the campaign launched on 14 June, the Global Trends release and 18 June,
and from some events including the UNCHR roundtable discussion on refugee dilemmas in Hungary and events at
refugee centers organized by the government. There were a few stories in the media on WRD itself, which outlets
produced using a mix of materials. The daily Nepszabadsag dedicated an entire page with several articles on refugees. A
free magazine on refugee issues (with a forward by the UNHCR Representative) was produced by a PR company with
European Refugee Fund money and handed out to the public at metro stations by refugees.
Furthermore, the PSA was aired 72 times on 8 channels between 14 and 23 June, including the right wing channel Echo TV, which broadcast the spot 15
times. While most stations originally wanted to be paid at a discounted price, all agreed after some persuasion to air the spot for free, with the exception of
HirTV (a right wing pro-government news channel), which declined. So far, viewing data is available from only 4 government channels (M1, M2, DunaTV and
Dunaworld) where the number of 18+ viewers who saw the PSA (20 times across the five channels) was 2,156,044. One airing of the spot (on 14 June, just
before 8.30pm) reached more than 631,000 people.
Ireland
Gala film event, soccer, bookshops, Facebook, Twitter
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WRD REPORT 2012
On WRD UNHCR organised a gala film screening about the resettlement of 2 Karen families, attended by resettled Karen with their costumes and music, the
Minister for Justice, Defense and Equality and over 100 relevant authorities. The Minister spoke positively about UNHCR, the pledge on resettlement and
publishing asylum legislation this year.
UNHCR collaborated with Sport against Racism Ireland (SARI) for the third year to hold the Fair Play Cup soccer game, with asylum-seekers, media teams,
NGO workers and government officials participating.
An opinion piece by UNHCR Ireland in the Irish Times on WRD looked at global refugee issues and the lengthy delays in the Irish asylum system. UNHCR
highlighted books on refugees in 135 libraries and in a bookshop chain, arousing interest with posters, bookmarks and booklists, linked to a social media
guide (Facebook, Twitter and blogs) and press materials. NGOs incorporated the Dilemmas and Do 1 thing themes in their own campaigns and UNHCR WRD
activities in their external communications. Attention to all activities was widely attracted via the traditional and social media, e.g., Facebook usage which
had more than quadrupled during WRD week. The Angelina Jolie spot was strategically placed on traditional and digital media to raise awareness about the
campaign.
Italy
Overview
Following the support given to a number of relevant movie features over the last couple of years, this year, in
occasion of the World Refugee Day, UNHCR Italy wanted to highlight the positive collaboration with the film
industry, where documentaries and fictional works contribute to uphold the values of reception, solidarity,
rescue at sea and the respect of human rights.
It was therefore decided to organize a public event at the “Casa del Cinema” in Rome were the directors of
four movie/documentary features that UNHCR Italy had supported through patronage were invited and
where their films would have been shown to the public.
Activities
On the night of the 19-20 June the Colosseum was spotlighted in blue with UNHCR logo.
On the 20 th of June, World Refugee Day conference was held in the presence of the Ministry of Integration and Cooperation Mr
Andrea Riccardi, the Head of RAI state TV social department Mr Carlo Romeo, “Tavolo Asilo” (NGOs board) representative, Mr
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WRD REPORT 2012
Oliviero Forti from Caritas, directors and actors of movie features, namely Ermanno Olmi, director of the Cardboard village and Donatella Finocchiaro,
female protagonist in Terraferma and folk singer Fiorella Mannoia, UNHCR testimonial for the WRD and starring in the Italian version of the PSA.
During the conference Angelina Jolie's and Fiorella Mannoia's PSA were presented. Mannoia's spot has been broadcasted pro bono by RAI state TV (15-23
June) and by the major private broadcasters (incl. SKY and LA7). Angelina Jolie's PSA has been screened, pro bono, in the main train stations network
channel (17-23 June), at Milano Malpensa and Milan Linate airports (20 June) and in 300 movie theaters all over the country (15 June - 5 July).
Films review: in the afternoon four films that received UNHCR's support over the last two years were shown: Terraferma by Emanuele Crialese, Il volo by
Wim Wenders, Mare chiuso by Andrea Segre and the Cardboard village by Ermanno Olmi.
Collaboration with Fiorella Mannoia and Feltrinelli Mediastores: A T-shirt with the slogan “I’m a refugee, I’m black, I’m white, I’m a man, I’m a woman, I’m
a believer, I’m an atheist, I’m a human being” has been produced by impure label for UNHCR and sold in a number of Feltrinelli mediastores
(Librerie la Feltrinelli). Part of the income funds UNHCR projects. The T-shirt is worn by Fiorella Mannoia in her current tour “Sud”.
Many other events of various kinds have been organized by NGOs and civil society associations all over the Italian territory with the support of UNHCR also
through the provision of awareness materials.
Kosovo I. World Refugee Day Communication Objectives
_ Increase awareness and understanding of Asylum Seekers and Refugee issues in Kosovo.
_ Increase awareness and understanding of UNHCR in Kosovo by promoting inter-ethnic dialogue and peaceful coexistence among communities.
_ Support HQ’s global communication platform.
_ Promote UNHCR global website supporting HQ fundraising objectives.
II. Communication Target Groups and Key Messages
1. Pristina/Office of Chief of Mission
a. Kosovo institutions, Legislative, Executive and Judicial / in particular the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
b. International Community/Donor Community.
c. Civil Society, Media and public opinion.
Strategy: To advocate for promoting the understanding of Asylum Seekers/Refugee needs and rights.
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WRD REPORT 2012
2. Field Offices
a. UNHCR Kosovo persons of concern (Refugees/Returnees/IDPs) and minority communities.
b. Receiving Communities.
Strategy: To involve, under the egida of UNHCR, both persons of concern and receiving community, by
promoting inter-ethnic activities. Kosovo being a post-conflict region, the Dilemmas campaign was considered as not suitable/adaptable yet
to the Kosovo target/audience. In line with EU Bureau priorities, UNHCR Kosovo promoted the following messages: There are over 10 million refugees who
have lost everything. 1 refugee without hope is too many.
The Kosovo institutions need to ensure that refugees and asylum seekers have access to their rights (proper reception conditions, fair and efficient status
determination procedures, respect of the principle of non-refoulement as well as access to other rights in Kosovo).
III. Activities’ Snapshot
1. Pristina/Office of Chief of Mission
a. Following the UNHCR tradition, and in order to “highlight” the needs of Asylum seekers and Refugees, the
Pristina national Library was illuminated in blue during the night on the eve of the WRD.
b. On 20 June, the official WRD celebration, including a lecture on refugees’ rights, open to media and co-chaired
by UNHCR and its legal partner (the local NGO Civil Rights Programme/Kosovo), was held at the National Library.
UNHCR Chief of Mission, Snr. Political Advisor and Chief of Staff of the Kosovo President Office, Representative of
the Kosovo Assembly (Commission for Human Rights, Gender Equality, Missing Persons and Petitions), Deputy
Prime Minister / Minister of Justice and Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs
gave speeches calling to respect the rights of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Kosovo. In the presence of Kosovo Institutions (Office of the Prime Minister,
Ministry of Communities and Return, Ministry of Local Governance Administration, Ombudsperson, MIA Department for Citizenship, Asylum and Migration,
etc). International community (Embassies, EU Office in Kosovo, OSCE, UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, IOM, EULEX, and others), civil society and media, the speakers
underlined the need to provide refuge to those who flee their countries because of persecution and human rights violations. Official remarks were followed
by a lecture on Refugee Protection, international instruments and standards, held by UNHCR Protection Officer, Ms. Hinako Toki [on the left], and by a
lecture on the national legal framework and standards in Kosovo, held by the CRP/K Executive Director, Mr. Naim Osmani. Some 100 persons attended the
event, including media-representatives from all TV networks in Kosovo.
2. Field Offices
UNHCR Kosovo Field Offices organized activities aimed at promoting inter-ethnic dialogue and pacific coexistence in five different locations.
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WRD REPORT 2012
Field Office Pristina
On 18 June, K/Albanian, K/Serb and K/RAE youth enjoyed sport activities in the swimming pool of Gracanica, Pristina region. The Local Red Cross supported
UNHCR in guarding the safety of children. The private company Rugova donated water bottles for all participants.
Field Office Gjilan/Gnjilane
A football tournament involving returnees and K/IDPs from Kamenicë/a and Ranillug/Ranilug municipalities, receiving community and local authorities was
held on 19 June. Kosovo Assembly Member representing Ranillug/Ranilug, Deputy Mayor of Kamenicë/a
municipality, Mayor of Ranillug/Ranilug Municipality, Heads of Municipal Offices for Communities and Return
in both municipalities, Director of General Administration in Kamenicë/a, Director for Sport and Cultural in
Kamenicë/a, Directors for Public Information at both municipalities, OSCE, IPs and other local officials attended
the event. Picture: UNHCR staff and the teams.
Field Office Peja/Pec
On 19 June, Field Office Peja/c inaugurated a “UNHCR corner” within the Regional Library “Azem Shkreli” of Peja/c. UN publications from different agencies
on development, humanitarian and MDG topics were donated. Representatives of local authorities, international community, local NGOs, and library
members attended the event. Picture: UNHCR staff with the Director of Directorate of Youth, Culture and Sport and the
Regional Library Director.
Field Office Mitrovice/a
In Mitrovice/a South, 227 K/Albanian IDP children, living in temporary collective center, were encouraged writing poems
and drawing, following the theme "My life as refugee”. Sport activities and games closed the day. The same activities were
organized by Field Office Zvecan, in the North, where 38 Serbs IDP/Refugee children from the collective center Velji Breg in
Zubin Potok participated in. Beneficiaries, Collective Centers’ municipal officers and IPs attended and supported UNHCR.
Following the UNHCR tradition, and in order to “highlight” the needs of Asylum seekers and Refugees, the Pristina national
Library was illuminated in blue during the night on the eve of the WRD. On 20 June, broadcasting of official PSA at national TVs; broadcasting of UNHCR
video “Making the difference” (subtitled into local languages).
Communication Mix m
Media relations: Lecture open to media; Press kit; video news release; interviews.
Advertisement: On 20 June, broadcasting of official PSA at national TVs; broadcasting
of UNHCR video “Making the difference” (subtitled into local languages).
During all the week of WRD: Digital banner “Boat” was posted on the most relevant
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WRD REPORT 2012
Kosovo daily website (koha.net) in Albanian language, targeting diaspora people living
abroad.
PR materials: The official poster “1 refugee without hope is too many”, was translated
into local languages, and T-shirts were printed locally. Visibility materials were distributed
to beneficiaries, Municipalities and partners.
Media Coverage
Main local TV networks and Web news-providers took the news and reported the key messages
conveyed during the events.
TV networks
Radio Television Kosovo (RTK) broadcasted a report from the event organized at the Library in the news-edition at 11:00 PM. The report included a
statement of the Chief of Mission and the Deputy Prime Minister. The report also included a visit to the asylum centre in Magura, where an asylum seeker
was briefly interviewed. COM statement: “…Kosovo has become a destination for persons in need of protection from different countries. We shall remind
ourselves of our collective and individual responsibilities towards those in need of our help.” The DPM was quoted while making an appeal to K/Serbs IDPs
to return to Kosovo. The feature included situation and figure of refugees worldwide. PI Associate was interviewed for the morning broadcast at RTK at 7:30
AM. He provided information on the activities held in the filed and announced the National Library’ illumination. Information and figures on K/IDPs, asylumseekers
in Kosovo, and the general meaning of WRD were also shared during the interview.
-TV KohaVision broadcasted a report from the Library event on the news editions at 19:00/ 11:30. The report included quotations by CoM and Deputy
Prime Minister. Koha Vision also filmed a visit of the Kosovo Ombudsperson to the recently built asylum centre and shown the conditions there.
-TV 21 broadcasted a report from the event at the Library at the news editions at 18:30 and 10:00 PM. Three speakers were quoted at the report: CoM,
Deputy Prime Minister and the representative from Kosovo President’s office.
-TV Dukagjini broadcasted report about UNHCR corner at the Regional Library in Peja/Pec.
-TV from Media Centre (program in Serbian) attended the event held in National Library.
Luxembourg
Bookshops, libraries and front-page news
Following interviews with UNHCR’s Senior External Relations Officer, the UNHCR and refugees featured in the first four pages of the country’s leading
newspaper, complete with pictures, statistics and personal stories. A number of bookshops and libraries also featured books proposed by UNHCR,
highlighted by bookmarks and posters. Libraries also promoted books given to them by UNHCR.
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Macedonia
On the occasion of the 2012 World Refugee Day, the UNHCR Representation in Skopje, together with the refugees and one of its implementing partners,
the City Red Cross of Skopje, organized events on 19 and 20 June under the slogan: "No one chooses to be a refugee".
“For many refugees the choice is between the horrific or something worse. As so often, the best way of understanding is to put ourselves in the shoes of
someone else. The question is what I, you, each of us, would do? Your understanding can help those who are forced to flee trying to find safety, regain
hope and rebuild their lives! UNHCR will continue helping those who are forced to flee to find safety, regain hope and rebuild their lives, in continuous
cooperation with the Government, the civil society, NGOs and all those willing to take action.” This is an extract from the speech of UNHCR Skopje
Representative, Mr. Mohammad Arif on WRD in the Primary school Brakja Ramiz and Hamid, Shuto Orizari municipality in Skopje.
The objective of 2012 events was to increase the public understanding of refugee issues and educate our audience as to who the refugees are and why they
need our help.
On 15 June, we started our PI activities by raising public awareness. The following activities took place:
- The campaign banner “Boat”, translated into local languages (Macedonian, Albanian and Roma), and
was placed on billboards in five frequent locations in the city of Skopje. They will be exhibited for 3
months.
- We shared the UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie Public Service Announcement for World
Refugee Day “No one chooses to be a refugee” with 11 TV Stations in Skopje, translated and subtitled
into local languages (Macedonian, Albanian and Roma). The announcement was transmitted free-ofcharge
on 20 and 21 June, several times during the day. It reached the audience from the whole
country and wider, due to their satellite transmission.
- Campaign digital banners were placed on the websites of our implementing partners: the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, the City Red Cross of
Skopje and the Macedonian Young Lawyers Association (MYLA) and the website of the Macedonian Information Agency (MIA), which is the leader
news agency in the country. The Macedonian Red Cross E-newsletter, with audience of some 60.000 persons in state institutions, international
organizations and non-governmental organizations published information on the WRD.
- Refugee children, accompanied by Red Cross volunteers visited the city ZOO.
- Food parcels were distributed to 70 most socially endangered refugee families.
- Equipment was donated to a primary school in a Roma neighborhood, where out of total of 2200, 102 are refugee children.
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WRD REPORT 2012
- Refugee children and the Community Centre team attended TV shows on 2 TV stations, to present their activities in the area of education and to
announce the World Refugee Day.
- UNHCR IP MYLA together with one student from the Faculty of Fine Arts helped for one week period a group of asylum seekers accommodated in
the Reception Centre for Asylum Seekers in Vizbegovo to draw paintings with motives from their own countries. The exhibition followed on the
WRD in the Reception Centre and in the late afternoon hours in an art cafe in Skopje downtown. WRD campaign banner placed on a billboard in the
Old Bazaar in Skopje.
For our PI events, we used last year’s promotion materials, such as printed “1” campaign t-Shirts, wristbands and notebooks, as well as five campaign
posters. On 19 June, we started marking the World Refugee Day in the Community Support Centre (CSC) for refugees, with a performance by refugee pupils
who attended extra-curricular activities in the CSC’s Education Centre. The CSC, located in the municipality of Shuto Orizari, is managed by the City Red
Cross of Skopje and supported by UNHCR, as most of some 1,600 refugees, mainly Roma from Kosovo, are accommodated in this municipality, situated near
the capital, Skopje.
Symbolic gifts were awarded to all pupils who successfully completed primary school (i.e. UNHCR
notebooks, football balls with the UNHCR logo, coloring books, etc.). The UNHCR Skopje Representative
addressed the pupils, emphasizing the importance of education and praising those who completed the
school, who should represent a good example and motivate the others to attend education.
The City Red Cross Secretary followed with a short overview of the achieved results in the school year
2011/2012. The City Red Cross awarded the 10 most active children in the CSC’s Education Centre with a
seven-day vacation in the summer resort “Solferino” in Struga at the Ohrid Lake. Children were wearing
UNHCR t-shirts.
Awarded refugee children with the UNHCR Skopje Representative and Secretary/PI, together with the awarded refugee children and the Secretary of the
City Red Cross of Skopje during the event organized in the CSC’s Education Centre, organized by UNHCR Skopje and the City Red Cross of Skopje, on the
Occasion of WRD On 20 June, the main event took place in the Primary school “Brakja Ramiz i Hamid”, located in Shuto Orizari Municipality where most of
Roma refugee children attend the primary school. The event was organized together with the School Director and the City Red Cross of Skopje. Refugee
children and their parents attended the event. The Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy and a Government official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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WRD REPORT 2012
addressed the audience. The UNHCR Representative followed. He spoke of the situation with the world refugees and aimed to raise the public
understanding of the situation of refugees.
Afterwards, performance followed by refugee children attending the school, consisted of musical choreography, reciting a poem, first aid demonstration
and flash mob dance. The performance was very much welcomed by the audience. Children that were performing were wearing UNHCR campaign t-shirts.
In the back of the stage, two big screens were placed to transmit the PSA (Angelina Jolie’s message) for the World Refugee Day.
UNHCR Skopje Representative, City Red Cross Secretary, Macedonian Red Cross President, the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy and a government
official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attending the event organized in the primary school in Shuto Orizari municipality, on the occasion of WRD. Two
refugee children reciting a poem during the event organized in the primary school in Shuto Orizari municipality, on the occasion of WRD. Some 10
Macedonian media published reports in relations with UNHCR activities, with special accent on World Refugee Day, also announcing the UNHCR’s 2011
Global Report.
Moldova
Each year on World Refugee Day, 20th of June, the United Nations honors the courage and perseverance of uprooted and stateless people whose number
more than 42 million worldwide and events to commemorate World Refugee Day 2012 in the Republic of Moldova were held.
In the MallDova shopping center's 3rd floor "Artium" gallery, a photographic poster exhibition depicting EU/UNHCR co-funded refugee integration projects
in the Republic of Moldova was on display until 22nd June. Integration is an important theme for UNHCR this year as the Republic of Moldova's new law on
the integration of foreigners and refugees takes effect from July.
A special video spot portraying refugees as marathon runners was broadcasted on TV and is being shown on Chisinau trolleybuses until 30th June. The
special “marathon” video promotes the integration needs of refugees, an activity that under Moldova’s new law was coordinated by the Bureau for
Migration and Asylum of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and involved important cross-ministerial cooperation,.
Refugees, representatives from government ministries, the diplomatic corps, news media, UN agencies and civil society groups competed in a table tennis
tournament on 23rd June. Members of the public are invited to watch the tournament from 10 am, at State University of Moldova Specialised Table Tennis
Arena (6 Testimiteanu Street, behind MallDova), in Chisinau.
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WRD REPORT 2012
Events to commemorate World Refugee Day also took place at Chisinau International Airport, as over 27 th -28 th June the airport’s Arrivals Hall hosted
UNHCR Moldova's "tent" and a display hundreds of mini-tents promoting refugee integration. With EU funding, since 2009 UNHCR has trained border
authorities working at the airport and other international crossing points in good practices for handling asylum claims by persons seeking protection in
Moldova.
UNHCR is almost entirely funded from voluntary contributions, so public awareness and support plays a vital role in UNHCR's work. One of the world's
leading humanitarian agencies, UNHCR has twice been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (1954 and 1981) for its work assisting millions of the world’s
refugees from persecution and war.
There are more than 2,000 persons under UNHCR’s mandate in the Republic of Moldova, mainly stateless persons but also refugees from other former
Soviet states, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
The Netherlands
Children defend their rights, women’s magazine
UNHCR participated in an action drawing attention to the Convention on the Rights of the Child,
staged at the main square in The Hague on 20 June, attended by 1000 people. A panel of judges
discussed 4 issues in Dutch alien law jeopardizing the children’s rights:
(i) To develop and respect the identity of rooted children;
(ii) For stateless children, to obtain a nationality (defended by UNHCR);
(iii) To an adequate standard of life and freedom of movement for the 300 children in Dutch asylum
centers, and
(iv) Not to be separated from parents who are third-country nationals.
The topics were introduced to the panel of judges by the children experiencing the problems, via a story, a rap song or an interview while legal experts
presented a short plea on the respective topics. An interview with Special Volunteer Lauren Verster in 4 full pages of the women’s magazine Flair (600,000
readers) about her mission to Dadaab was published in the week of WRD.
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WRD REPORT 2012
Poland
Integration picnic – Brwinów
To celebrate World Refugee Day, thanks to UNHCR co-financing, Polish Migration Forum organized an Integration Picnic In the school of Brwinow, where
Polish and Chechen pupils learned together. The Chechen pupils are asylum seekers living in the reception center in a nearby village of Moszna.
The school in Brine hosted a year-long Project, run by PFM, called „Brwinów: moje okno Na świat”, which means: Brwinów: my window to the Word. The
project was meant to show both Polish and Chechen children a positive experience of multiculturalism. They were exposed to various cultures, offered
intercultural training and workshops, and had an opportunity to experience other cultures personally – through arts and sports activities.
The Integration Picnic was a culmination, and form of summary, of this Project. The children had a chance to present their achievements and skills attained
during the project and show to their parents how peaceful intercultural cooperation between them developed and works.
Timing and guests
In Poland, 20 June was a Day of residential elections; the date of the picnic was moped to 12 June. The event was opened. Around 800 people took part in
it. The integration picnic took a form of a big school event in Brine – traditionally organized at the end of the school year. This year the event was focused
on refugees. Local officials, including the local governor of Brwinow attended as well.
Attractions
The picnic included: A performance on Fryderyk Chopin, Polish composer and a refugee – prepared by Polish pupils.
� A theatre performance based on a Chechen legend, by Polish pupils;
� Multimedia presentation on refugees, prepared by PFM;
� Presentation of Chechen national dances (by Chechen children)
� Polish-Chechen capoeira performance (the children learned capoeira as part of the project, the performance allowed them to present what they have learned to
parents and broader audience)
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WRD REPORT 2012
� Polish-Chechen presentation and making of jewelery and other arts products made by Polish and Chechen girls within the Project.
� Presentation of the Brwinow Club: window to the Word (series of meetings of the children with other cultures)
� Mini-multicultural workshops: capoeira lesson, arts lesson (jewelery making and music)
The children decorated the school with posters on refugees, Chechnya, various cultures. The Chechen mothers prepared Chechen national dishes (and
Polish moms – dishes of various cultures: Polish, French, and Ukrainian).
In Poland, the spot was aired more than 216 times on 12 channels (more TV data is yet to come in), including in prime time spots like after the Wiadomosci
evening news programme and during half time of the EURO2012 quarterfinal. One broadcast on TVP1 on 22 June reached 2.3 million viewers. The spot was
also integrated into UNHCR media appearances for the WRD, including just after 7 interviews with the PI Officer and Head of Office on Polstat and TVP, and
used in an earlier TV piece for WRD as part of a report on asylum-seekers in Poland from a media trip to border regions organized by UNHCR. The spot was
also placed on 10 big platforms, including Onet.pl with 16 million users per month and Gazeta.pl with 11,8 million users, and other respected dailies and
opinion weeklies, as well as a very popular gossip column.
Poland had significant media coverage for WRD in 2012, overturning the received wisdom that media were not likely to get involved on refugee issues in
that country. TV, radio, press and the main news portals in Poland showed a lot of sympathy towards refugees and asylum-seekers. A few weeks before
WRD, UNCHR organized a media trip to the Terespol checkpoint (on the border with Belarus) and reception and detention centres at Biala Podlaska/Kolonia
Horbow generating impressive coverage despite the domination of EURO12. Panorama TVP (with 1.5 million viewers), for example, combined its stories
from the visit with WRD material, incorporating part of the AJ PSA into its report. The Global Trends release gave the hard news kick to the WRD campaign,
generating massive coverage reaching a conservative estimate of 3 million people. The campaign press release was picked up by 10 media outlets which
also hosted the PSA, and a further five outlets/blogs/NGOs that did not run the PSA. UNHCR staffs were interviewed on three influential TV programmes in
the campaign period.
The results
The aim of the picnic was to raise awareness of the local community of refugees and to develop their openness to other cultures. In addition, we aimed at
giving the Chechen children the opportunity to display their skills and achievements – to their parents, but also Polish pupils and community. Both those
aims were fully achieved. All exemplifications of the Chechen culture, with cuisine especially, were received with great interest. The audience was also
impressed with the results of the projects: capoeira and arts (as the results were truly impressive). For the first time, the Chechen children were seen in a
positive light. Also, for the first time the Chechen parents saw their children as successful and admired in the Polish school context.
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WRD REPORT 2012
Portugal
As for our plans for WRD, I am very happy to inform that this year was concentrated in the Portuguese Parliament. The President of the Portuguese
Parliament invited CPR to integrate the WRD initiatives in the Parliament, thus assuring a wider visibility, the participation of the MPs and other important
political stakeholders, and also the refugees residing in Portugal, in the events. The program included a session with testimonies of refugees (presided by
the President of the Parliament and the President of CPR), a photo exhibition and a concert. The entrance was free. The National Parliament was decorated
with the materials from the “1” Campaign and the Dilemma Campaign. Also, the videos and the PSA were transmitted by AR TV (the Parliament’s TV Cable
Channel). They were already translated and broadcasted after June 11th. We’ve also made some TV SPOTS (15”) to advertise WRD in the Parliament, with
the assistance of the Parliament’s staff.
Romania
In Romania, refugee children from the Emergency Transit Centre in Timisoara took part in a drawing contest on the theme of the Dilemmas campaign while
on a special outing to Baile Lipovei, a nearby spa resort on 19 June. Various NGOS organized other activities in Bucharest.
In Romania, most of the media coverage was generated by the campaign launch press release on 14 June, with lesser coverage from the global trends press
release (on 18 June) and the WRD press release on 20 June. From the last press release, one TV media site ran the video on Saad’s dilemma. The campaign
press release led to some interviews with UNHCR staff, and TV in Timisoara covered a local event with refugee children organized by NGOs.
In Romania, the PSA was broadcast 154 times on 11 TV stations between 16 and 22 June, despite the shortage of primetime spots during the EURO2012
final tournament, and the saturation of space with paid commercials. Romania had great success placing the PSA in other places, like airlines, subways, and
supermarkets. The national carrier Tarom played the PSA on its flights before Takeoff and landing from 14 to 21 June. The spot was seen by 44,093
passengers on flights to Paris, London, Frankfurt, Brussels, Vienna, Munich, Dubai, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Rome, Cluj and Timisoara. A partnership with an
indoor publicity company, Monopoly, saw the PSA placed in the Henry Coanda International Airport terminal in Budapest, at 43 subway stations, in five
supermarkets, and universities. The PSA was shown every nine minutes from 18 to 22 June at these indoor venues. Only two TV stations and one online
magazine did not respond to the request.
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WRD REPORT 2012
Russia
On 20 June, in Moscow: Roundtable in the Russian State Library (Hall of International Organizations) brought together students and teachers, young
refugees, partners from NGOs and civil society, public authorities, librarians, UN country team and other socially minded people.
The event focused on the WRD messages, the 1 Concept-2012; current challenges of refugee protection and also
included:
- Presentation of results of the recent Public Opinion Survey about attitudes to refugees in Russia,
- Presentation of the “State of the World Refugees”,
- Special Envoy PSA, PSA was subtitled in Russian, placed on the web site and disseminated to Implementing Partners
and shown at public events; PSA with Angelina Jolie was translated and placed on the local web site and web sites of
implementing partners, also served as an introduction to all WRD events. However, its late release by the HQ and
lengthy clearance procedures necessary for placing the PSA in other media sources limited its use to Internet.
- Presentation of 20 years of DAFI activities in Russia.
The centerpiece of this and other public events held around 20 June was the launch of the new educational tool - the Russian language version of “Against
All Odds” online game. It has been translated and adapted by UNHCR Office in the Russian Federation, and the online exercise by Roundtable participants
will provide a valuable and informal input to the Round table deliberations. A DVD version of the game was distributed among participants for further use in
relevant institutions.
On 20 and 21 June WRD events was held in Ochyor (Perm Region), location of the Temporary Accommodation Centre attached to the Federal Migration
Service of Russia, in St.-Petersburg and in Verbilki (Moscow Region) - both areas hosting a considerable number of refugees and being sites of UNHCR's and
IPs operations. UNHCR missions contributed to both events that involved local authorities and host communities, FMS representatives and mass media, and
will consist in sharing personal stories, viewing PSA, etc. Presentations related to WRD, viewing of Special Envoy PSA, folklore performances, master classes
in various crafts, photo contests, sports activities, prepared by TAC residents and the local community, was complemented by launch of the online game.
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WRD REPORT 2012
Also, WRD events in Russia gave a start to PA campaign to mark UNHCR’s 20 years in Russia (in October 2012).
In 2012, WRD activities in the Russian Federation were planned and implemented with consideration to HQ guidance and the local operational
environment, namely, the size of the country, the low number of refugees and asylum seekers and their concentration in certain areas, the focus on youth,
etc.
The following global advocacy messages were selected for WRD 2012.
� 1 refugee without hope is too many.
� 1 person forced to flee is too many.
� 1 family torn apart by war is too many.
The Dilemma campaign concept (and relevant visibility images) proposed by the HQ for 2012 was adopted and used in presentations at WRD events.
Digital banners with Dilemma slogan were translated and placed on the web site.
In addition, in early June 2012 UNHCR completed the long-standing project of translating into Russian and adapting the online interactive game “Against All
Odds”. Developed by the UNHCR Office in Nordic countries in 2005 and since then translated into ten other languages, the game reflects the spirit of the
Dilemma campaign: it reveals the dilemmas refugees face when fleeing from home, crossing borders, hiding from militants, adapting to new mode of life,
etc. This major educational and PA tool tailored to the local context and equipped with relevant local reading materials was promoted through various
channels. The launch of the online game was timed to the WRD. The online version was placed on the internet; CDs with a simplified version of the game
were produced and distributed among participants of WRD commemorations in various regions. Judging by the interest in the game expressed by
participants of WRD events, this approach was well justified. It helped reinforce the main campaign messages, build empathy and relate emotionally to the
plight of refugees, increase public understanding of refugee issues, and educate our audiences as to the choices refugees have to make and the necessity
for their protection and help.
The UNHCR Office in Russia took part in the UNHCR’s public opinion survey (April - May 2012), which was seen as a good opportunity to outline the
communication strategy around the Dilemma campaign and beyond. Preliminary survey results (in terms of attitudes to refugees and migrants in Russia)
shared with the Office in mid-June, were quite positive, and the Office intended to make them public during WRD. However, the HQ’s embargo on releasing
comparative results in June did not allow doing it, which is seen as an opportunity lost. In any case, comparative survey results will be used once officially
released.
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WRD REPORT 2012
The WRD in 2012 also served as a launching pad for another PA campaign commemorating UNHCR’s 20 years in Russia (to be officially marked in October).
The reference to this landmark and the outline of UNHCR’s operations in Russia added value to the WRD commemorations.
On 20-21 June three public events under common slogans were held in different regions of Russia:
� In Moscow, the Russian State Library (the oldest and most renowned federal library in the Russian Federation) and UNHCR co-hosted the Round
Table, attended by governmental and non-governmental partners, professors and students of Moscow universities, legal clinics, youth NGOs,
persons of concern residing in the Moscow Region, UN country team, Russian and International Red Cross, members of UNHCR-led interagency
working groups on Social Issues/AGDM and on Tolerance, journalists and librarians. The presentation of WRD messages and the launch of the
“Against All Odds” game sparked a lively discussion on the value of integration, the importance of educating public tolerance and raising awareness
about refugee protection. UNHCR’s efforts in these spheres were highly evaluated by speakers, and a greeting message on the occasion of WRD
from Vladimir Lukin, RF Ombudsman on Human Rights, was released.
� In Verbilki, a town to the North of Moscow and the domicile of several dozens of refugee families, the WRD events were organised by the
community and UNHCR’s social partner Magee. It was attended by the local authorities, children and the host community that for years have
contributed to creating the friendly environment for UNHCR’s persons of concern, conducive for their adaptation and integration in Russia.
� In Ochyor, a town in the Urals and the site of the Temporary Accommodation Centre (TAC) managed by the FMS of Russia, the UNHCR’s mission
was timed to the WRD and became an integral part of WRD commemorations organised by TAC management together with the local authorities,
the office of the Perm Ombudsperson and the muftiyat. Among the guests there were local authorities, the host community, NGO guests from
Perm and TAC residents.
� In St. Petersburg, UNHCR’s social and legal partner St. Petersburg Red Cross joined a meeting with the UNHCR Representative and the newly
appointed St. Petersburg Ombudsman for Human Rights, with whom a number of mutual concerns were raised and opportunities for collaboration
discussed.
Slovakia
In Slovakia, refugees at the Emergency Transit Centre joined asylum-seekers and others of concern on a sightseeing tour of the historical city of Košice. A
group of Afghan women were interviewed by the media and afterwards performed a national dance. A football match between Afghan, Somalia and local
teams followed the performance. In Bratislava, UNCHR staff took part in an umbrella march, symbolizing support for refugee protection.
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WRD REPORT 2012
Slovenia
In Slovenia, the media reported on the global trends press release, with some integrating short stories on refugees in Slovenia (from the former Yugoslavia).
There was some extra coverage of WRD events and other stories quoting NGOs and government on refugee issues in the country. In Slovenia, the
government organized a cultural event at the asylum home in Ljubljana, and various film and cultural events were organized by NGOs.
The PSA was aired 15 times by the Slovene public broadcaster (RTS) on 3 stations. It was also aired on public buses in Ljubljana between 13 to 20 June, at a
cinema on 20 June and on two NGO websites (unaslovenia.org and Begunec.si). An estimated 342,000 people saw the spot in a country with a population of
just 2 million. UNHCR’s IP Slovenska filantropija declined to screen the PSA during its film festival for WRD as they thought it was ‘not about refugees, but
about UNHCR promotion.’
Spain
Activities
Given the current economic crisis and the political and social context in the country, including the severe cuts to NGOs
dealing with asylum & new authorities as the result of the general elections late 2011, this BO decided to “join forces” and
to invite NGOs and government counterparts to celebrate all together the WRD in one single event in Madrid. The main
objectives were to highlight the relevance of keeping open the space for the international protection; remind all concern of
what is a refugee and what does it mean; underline the importance of resettlement; show unity between the actors
involved on asylum issues, and our willingness to work with the Government to improve & solve the current gaps on
asylum.
In addition to the main activity on the 20J in Madrid, there were other events around this date taking place, including activities organized by the offices of
the Spanish National Association in different Spanish cities, some of which with the participation of this Office staff.
Activities in Madrid
20th June - UNHCR coordinated a joint commemoration event on 20J with the main NGO dealing with asylum-seekers and
refugees in Spain in Madrid. In addition to refugee testimonies (political and gender persecution grounds), we counted with the
presence of high-profile authorities from Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Employment that conveyed their experience in the
recently undertaken resettlement selection mission to Shousha camp in Tunisia. The event took place an 11:00 in a cultural
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WRD REPORT 2012
center of the Lavapies neighborhood, gathering point for immigrant population in Madrid. Audience was media, refugees and asylum seekers, academics
and counterparts.
At the end of the event, UNHCR, NGOs and the audience, joined the third European Umbrella's march, walking from the Cultural center to the Lavapies
Square, where a photo exhibition on Libya was placed. Using the symbol of the umbrella to signify protection, participants marched with white umbrellas to
demonstrate support for refugees' rights, as it was done in Austria, France, the Netherlands and Slovakia.
09.06.2012 – Madrid Gospel Choir, Charity concert and bike fest, in the School GSD Las Suertes (C/ Rafael de León, 10)
16.06.2012 – Charity Basketball Championship in CB de Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid
22.06.2012 – WRD Party with refugees and asylum seekers at Refugee Reception Center in Vallecas Madrid
29.06.2012 – WRD “rainbow” Party in the Refugee Reception Center of Alcobendas, Madrid, run by the Government (Ministry of Employment and Social
Security), with refugees and local community.
Catalonia
21-22.06.2012 - Live Colombia: A series of activities concerning Colombia, took place the Café del Teatre of l’Escorxador, Lérida. There was a round table
discussion about “Human Rights in Colombia”, a Colombian crafts show, cineforum, musical performances and a tasting of products from the region. This
event was organized by the City Council of Lleida, the Catalan Committee of UNHCR and other organizations.
UNHCR Exhibition “To be a Refugee”: during the month of June they had a streamlined expo organized around a tent.
20.06.2012 - World Wide Refugee Day Act in Barcelona: it was organized by the Immigration Board of the City Council of Barcelona and the organizations
that work for forcibly displaced people. It took place at 18:00h at the Library of Jaume Fuster.
Basque Country
–The football players of the Bilbao Athletic Club supported the UNHCR Basque Committee with public announcement and by sharing information about
female refugees and the help that UNHCR offers them.
Valencia Community
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WRD REPORT 2012
The office in Valencia of the Spanish National Association, together with NGOs dealing with asylum carried out a number of awareness activities throughout
the month of June.
Ceuta
16-22.06.2012 – Ceuta Refugee Week: El Centro Estancia Temporal de Inmigrantes de Ceuta (Aliens Transit Center) and a local NGO “Red de Lucha contra la
Pobreza” organized a presentation and roundtable discussion on Asylum and Refuge in the Auditorio de las Murallas Reales, where a
lecture by a UNHCR staff was given. The activity was complemented with the installation of the UNHCR exposition “One day we had
to run”.
Andalusia
15-20.06.2012 - “Put yourself in the refugee’s shoes”: there was a gymkhana that took place at the forum of Sevilla, organized by
the office in Seville of the UNHCR Spanish National Association. The people that attended the event could experience what a
refugee has to go through in the different stages of his life. This project was done in collaboration with the Andalucian Refional
Government, the City Council and Refugee Centers + NGOs
Asturias
1-2.06.2012 - Solidarity Music Festival: took place in the Town Hall Square of Villaviciosa.
Promotional Materials
From Headquarters:
- Dilemma campaign translated and adapted into Spanish and placed in the Spain’s web site
www.acnur.org / landing page. Since the mobile application linked to the campaign could
not be adapted into Spanish, this application was replaced by information on the UNHCR
on-line game “Against all odds” (Contra Viento y marea).
- Posters from Dilemmas campaign – locally made and printed in Spanish with the original
artwork from HQs. Distributed to NGOs, government partners, UNHCR’s National
Association’s offices
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WRD REPORT 2012
- Video PSA – Angelina Jolie, Juanes, Elena Anaya –Spanish actress who worked with Almodovar director in his latest film-. Videos adapted into
Spanish from testimonies of refugees and displaced people for the Dilemmas campaign. All of them have been placed on the website and in media.
- Elena Anaya’s video was also placed at the screens of the Underground stations of Madrid the week of WRD
- Global trends – Translated and adapted to Spanish – shared with Latin America offices. It was shared with journalists placed on the website and
received a wide media coverage.
- SOWR No promotion off the State of the World Refugee was made as this Office is developing the Spanish version of the book to be launched at
the end of the year. There were already lots of information on refugees and UNHCR activities in June to feed the media (other organizations are
competing for media space as well for WRD)
- Locally developed/used :
- 40” Video for WRD with testimonies by refugees, and the slogan “They are Refugees – help us to protect them”, done by UNHCR and place on TVs,
on-line media, shown on WRD event and placed on web sites of UNHCR and all entities dealing with asylum and refugee issues in Spain.
- Posters locally produced in line with WRD video – with captures of the video and the logos of all entities participating on the WRD celebration.
- Stickers with a drawing of an umbrella and the slogan “They are Refugees – help us to protect them”.
- 100 Umbrellas for a demonstration at the end of the WRD celebration, joining the ECRE march in different European capitals.
- Photo exhibition of the Libya crisis - placed at the square of Lavapiés, an immigrant’s neighborhood, where the umbrellas demonstration was
ending.
- Further materials on the “Put yourself on a Refugee’s shoes” where re-edited at the request of Schools, Sports clubs and NGOs in different Spanish
cities using the campaign in the context of WRD.
Sweden
The site went live on the 13th of June - Protect 500 refugee families for WRD. The paid banner campaign via MEC
came up the same day/day after. They also arrange for a video network to spread the AJ PSA for free. It has been
picked up by bloggers. The Aftonbladet (the biggest tabloid and web site in Sweden) launched their support for the
campaign and had 4 pages in print and articles online about South Sudan. Also a live chat between South Sudan and
readers of the tabloid was held and an ob-ed in the paper. Aftonbladet is spreading and pushing the campaign through
their social media channels. Further, Aftonbladet continued the campaign online and had stories from Dadaab. There
were bloggers posting about the campaign. We continued to work to get people to Tweet about the campaign and
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had many big ones already. Moreover, the Ericson Globe was blue. Sony Mobile posted information about the WRD mobile application on their blog: Sony
Mobile was interested in donating handsets to UNHCR HQ for demonstrations of the WRD application.
Switzerland
Refugee Days in partnership with the Swiss Refugee Council and the Federal Office for Migration
As in previous years, the Office for Switzerland and Liechtenstein (OSL) partnered with the Swiss Refugee
Council (OSAR) and the Swiss Federal Office for Migration (FOM) for a joint campaign for the “Refugee
Days“. These combine the National Refugee Day, which had been introduced by the Swiss Refugee Council
(OSAR) in 1980 and is celebrated on the third Saturday in June every year, the “Refugee Sunday” which
immediately follows the National Refugee Day and where churches may take the lead in planning activities
around this theme and World Refugee Day (WRD), as latter is generally very close to these days. Activities
are linked to maximize resources and to allow activities over a period of time. OSL thus cooperated with
OSAR and the FOM on a campaign with short videos focusing on refugees,joint visibility through social
media, flyers and posters, and additional activities/events. Given the size and weight of the Swiss-German
part of Switzerland, and the far more restrictive public and political mood, OSL invested more resources in
activities there. In Geneva, HQ took the lead in organizing activities.
Football match with parliamentarians, prominent persons and refugees - Team “Refugees United”
On 15 June, the UNHCR Office for Switzerland and Liechtenstein, the Swiss Refugee Council (OSAR) and the Federal
Office for Migration (FOM) co-organized a football match with mixed teams of parliamentarians, prominent people
and refugees under the slogan “Miteinander statt gegeneinander Fussballspielen (Playing football together rather
than against each other)”. The match was moderated by a radio moderator.
OSL invested extensively in media relations in cooperation with OSAR and the FOM. During the halftime and after
the game, there were opportunities to engage with the football players and to interview them. As participants
were from throughout Switzerland, this permitted coverage in a number of newspapers, as well as local and public radio stations and TV reported on
the football game, even if at least one noted that the game occurred right after two days of very heavy negative debates in the Parliament on asylum,
and that parliamentarians were with one exception from the left spectrum. Given the very postive media coverage, plans are to repeat this event for the
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Refugee Days 2013.
WRD REPORT 2012
Impact: The commitment of parliamentarians as well as local prominent persons could be reinforced. Additionally, the event permitted positive reporting
on refugees to reach a wider public through different local and regional media and Facebook. In addition, OSL was able to establish and reinforce positive
contacts with parliamentarians as well as with the Director of the FOM, who was also present during the entire game.
Keynote Speeches and Podium Discussions and Information Stands
As 16 June is National Refugee Day, events are organized locally in many different cities and towns of Switzerland. Since Switzerland tends to be very
local (e.g. with respect to media, reporting, decision-making, etc.), any one event is very unlikely to draw national attention. Local presence is thus
important. The Head of Office was thus invited to give a key note address at the Refugee Days event in Basel, together with the competent Governing
Councillor of Basle.
Bundeshaus (Federal Parliament Building) on National Refugee Day
The Head of Office was also invited to participate in a high profile podium discussion in Zuerich on World Refugee Day together with the Director of the
Federal Office for Migration, the competent Governing Councillor of Zuerich and a refugee. The Office for Switzerland (OSL) was also present with
stands, information materials, visibility materials including publications, brochures, flyers, postcards and balloons in Berne, Lausanne and Zurich. In
Berne, OSL had the opportunity to have an information stand located directly adjacent to the Bundeshaus (Federal Parliament Building). The aim was to
increase positive awareness for refugees and others in need of international protection, as well as UNHCR, through direct contact, and to establish and
reinforce linkages with local NGOs and other actors. In all three cities the activities raised a high degree of interest. Many people came to become
informed about the work of UNHCR and many children came to get a balloon.
Impact: Participation in various refugee events in Switzerland permitted the reaching of thousands of persons
locally and supported awareness raising and sensitizing to refugee issues. Additionally, particularly the events
in Basle and Zuerich presented useful opportunities to establish contacts and engage informally with
different potential counterparts.
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Abbot Martin Werlen twittered about the Event
Illumination of the Einsiedeln Monastery in blue OLS illuminated, in cooperation with the light artist Gerry Hofstetter (who was also working with
UNHCR for the Nansen Event), the Einsiedeln Monastery in blue on 20 June 2012.
The event was a notable one attracting many people who came to inform themselves about the reason for the illumination. Pictures from the event
were used by a wide number of media. To promote this event, the abbot Martin Werlen of the Einsiedeln Monastery advertised it via twitter. He also
became engaged in the national asylum debate, recommending politicians to focus on Christian values (addressing in particular the Christian
Democratic Party).
Impact: The event was a useful opportunity to raise more positive awareness of refugees. An estimated 250 visitors came to see the event on the spot.
More persons were reached through the local media and authorities, and through the twitter account of the Abbot of Einsiedeln, who has almost 4000
followers.
Broadcast of PSA in Train Stations
The Office for Switzerland (OSL) is exploring different opportunities to ensure playtime for the WRD PSA by Angelina
Jolie, including cinemas, open-air festivals, etc. Challenges are that there is no tradition for airingPSA pro bono and
that UNHCR videos/PSA are quickly rejected as “political” messages (no matter how “humanitarian” or “neutral”). If
accepted, the rates offered for showing the PSA are generally extremely expensive. Nonetheless, OSL was able to
negotiate several opportunities to present it for free.
This includes several major train stations in Switzerland (Basel, Berne, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, St.Gallen,
Winterthur, Zürich and Zug) which offered to show UNHCR campaign posters as well as the PSA on e-boards for free
(whenever there is free, i.e. unsold, advertising time during the second half of the year 2012). An Open-Air-Cinema
has also agreed to screen the PSA three times free of charge. Additionally, the Swiss public television channel SF
offered to broadcast an UNHCR video 52 times on prime-time for a fraction of the total cost.
Impact: The various avenues above have the potential to reach and possibly sensitize a considerable public, particularly the offer of the Swiss public
television channels to show the PSA at prime times.
Turkey
Ankara
Main event of the WRD 2012 in Turkey was the launching of the book, “Tarik and the White Crow”, collectively written by 10 refugee children of 6-7 years
old at an organised workshop in a refugee town. The launching of the book took place at an event in a new mall in Ankara, Kent Park, on the 20
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WRD REPORT 2012
The children who wrote the story, and the book which reflects their understanding of their situation, was the focus of the event. The launch of the book
was supported by a “Walk for Refugees” activity with the support of some very well-known celebrities in Turkey.
The book “Tarik and the White Crow” is sponsored by UNHCR Turkey and published by Sarigaga publishing house. The
kids, who named themselves the “Polar Star Collective”, expressed from their perspective the importance of tolerance,
acceptance and community in the book.
Ms. Hadise, Turkey’s Eurovision Contest Singer of three years ago, Ms. Pelin Batu, a well known Actress, and Mr. Erkan
Tan, a renowned TV Presenter joined the walk which was choreographed and joined by a famous stylist, Mr. Hakan
Akkaya. During the opening remarks, Ms. Carol Batchelor, the UNHCR Representative in Turkey and Mr.Salih Bezci, the President of the Chambers of
Commerce have underlined the importance of the protection of refugees who are forced to leave their countries because of violence or persecution. Ms.
Batchelor thanked Turkey for its historical hospitality for the refugees.
The event was attended in person by a few hundred spectators and live broadcasted by national and local TVs throughout Turkey.
On the 20th of June, the wife of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, Mrs. Nevin Gokcek, hosted a lunch for the members of the Polar Star Collective and their
accompanying parents, as well as for the celebrities at the Municipality Guest House in Ankara.
The book
“Tarik and the White Crow” was written at a workshop, organised by UNHCR and Sarıgaga Books, which was held on 26th of
February 2012, in the office of UNHCR’s implementing partner ASAM (Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants),
in Isparta. Ten children from Somalia, Sudan, Iran and Afghanistan aged between 6 and 7, gathered to write this story. They called
themselves "The Polar Star Collective" illustrated by Sadi Güran. 1000 copies are printed by Sarıgaga Books. The book is sponsored
by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Turkey and will be distributed to Government, Embassy and partners as
well as to the primary schools in Turkey, especially in satellite cities where refugees are assigned to live, in order to raise awareness among the local
children. The story is about a child name Tarik and his father who had to leave their home after a dark cloud threatened their island. They sailed away in
order to find a new place to live. During their journey, they were helped by a white crow. The story illustrates the importance of empathy, tolerance,
acceptance and new beginnings.
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WRD REPORT 2012
TV Spot
UNHCR Turkey advised TV stations to broadcast Angelina Jolie’s TV spot. UNHCR had received a support letter from
Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK).
Istanbul
United Kingdom
In order to celebrate the world refugee day and raise awareness among the people of
Istanbul, UNHCR Istanbul FU organised, in partnership with the Governorate of Istanbul and
ASAM:
Two live concerts by Enzo and Yabanci Degiliz
- On a special wagon attached to the famous Nostalgic Tram in Istiklal, the main commercial street in Istanbul
- Decoration of the wagon with UNHCR banners and balloons
- Distribution of flyers raising awareness about the refugees
Approximately 400 activities took place during Refugee Week, publicized via the new Refugee Week website and attracting
some 91,500 participants across the UK. UNHCR was the main funder of Refugee Week activities, coordinated under a new
umbrella organization that includes 10 NGOs, and where UNHCR is a major partner. UNHCR also trained partners and
volunteers (including refugees) in social media and campaigning to carry out their own events, including with UNHCR material.
1,500 balloons, 3,000 badges, 13,500 flyers and 1,850 posters were distributed to schools, local authorities and refugee
communities carrying out Refugee Week activities.
In this year’s “Unsung Heroes“ campaign, highlighting the contributions of refugees to the 2012 Olympics, UNHCR placed
posters in 60 London Underground stations for three weeks, reaching approximately 1.5 million commuters. In the annual free
Celebrating Sanctuary festival on London’s Southbank, funded by the Arts Council and featuring refugee performances, UNHCR
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WRD REPORT 2012
had a tent and two stalls, where staff discussed refugee issues with passers-by, distributing materials and fundraising by selling T-shirts and books. UNHCR
and Refugee Week organized a Casablanca evening at the Victoria and Albert museum on 22 June. The museum was transformed into Rick’s café, while
guests in black and white dress code (to match the film) were treated to performances and workshops by refugees. The journalist invited by UNHCR gave a
thought-provoking opening talk. The event was covered in The Spectator magazine and attended by an estimated 4,000 people.
On 18 June, the UNHCR Rep took part in a panel discussion at the Jewish Museum on challenges facing refugees in
a recession. On WRD, the UNHCR/ Magnum exhibition ’60 Years, 6 Lives’ was launched in Scotland’s Paisley
Museum with an opening talk by refugees and the local mayor. UNHCR London’s Dilemma webpage
unhcr.org.uk/dilemma had over 9,000 unique visitors. Dilemma campaign posters with a UK-specific QR code and
website details were distributed to schools, universities and UN Associations. On World Refugee Day, UNHCR’s
Global Trends report was featured in the Guardian’s Datablog, which produced an interactive map showing key
statistics http://bit.ly/Mwipdk, Refugee Week alone generated over news 200 articles in the UK.
The office this year developed new partnerships with the Times Educational Supplement, and with Blackwell’s, the bookshop. Both partners promoted the
Dilemmas campaign online: the TES resources webpages had a refugee special focus for June, hosting UNHCR’s Dilemmas posters, teaching materials and
lesson plans, which were promoted to over 30,000 Twitter followers. The Blackwell bookshop’s homepage incorporated the Dilemmas banner, and a list of
literature on forced migration, as well as the UNHCR logo and WRD details in their e-newsletter distributed to over 318,000 people. The ‘My Life as a
Refugee’ smart phone app was launched via the UNHCR’s call to action webpage, to mixed reviews. In this year’s Simple Acts campaign, promoted by
UNHCR and by leading museums, 7,280 Simple Acts flyers were distributed. 27,863 Simple Acts have been completed so far. The office’s Facebook in WRD
week was visited by over 71,000 people, (2800% more than average), many of whom passed on Dilemma stories. Tweet followers went up by 10 per cent in
WRD week. UNHCR greatly extended its reach through these social media this year.
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