Minnesota Government Leaders Declare June 20th "World Refugee Day in Minnesota"

American Refugee Committee
Friday, 20 June 2003

Friday, June 20th, is World Refugee Day. This internationally-recognized day commemorates the contributions of refugees throughout the world. Ten Minnesota-based organizations that work with refugees issued a formal request to Mayors Kelly and Rybak and Governor Pawlenty to proclaim June 20th as World Refugee Day in Minnesota. The three government leaders issued the proclamations today.

Minnesotans have a proud tradition of working with refugees around the globe and welcoming new refugees to our communities," said Hugh Parmer, President of the American Refugee Committee (ARC), a Minnesota-based humanitarian aid agency that initiated the request to designate Friday as World Refugee Day in Minnesota. “This day provides us with an opportunity to recognize the plight of the millions of refugees who have been forced to flee their homelands, seeking freedom and safety from persecution."

There are more than 36 million refugees and displaced people around the world, and more than 80% of them are women and children. As the population of refugees around the world increases, Minnesota communities also feel the impact. Minnesota is home to an unusually large population of refugees, and more than 50,000 reside in the state. Minnesota is also home to several international agencies that work directly with refugees overseas.

To celebrate World Refugee Day, the American Refugee Committee and several other Minnesota-based organizations that work with refugees will be sponsoring an exhibit on Friday and Saturday at Calhoun Square in Minneapolis. The exhibit will feature a refugee camp tent, photographs of refugees, and informational materials on refugee issues.

For nearly 25 years, the American Refugee Committee has been working to ease the suffering of the victims of war. The American Refugee Committee is a nonprofit humanitarian relief organization that works for the survival, health, and well-being of refugees and displaced persons caught in the crossfire of civil violence, warfare, and other disasters. For more information, contact Therese Gales at 612-607-6494.

For more information, or to contact American Refugee Committee, see their website at: www.archq.org