The family-friendly event is free and open to the public. World Refugee Day will feature a performance by the world-famous Allstar Refugee Band, and local refugee groups will perform traditional musical and dance numbers. The event will offer cultural crafts, activities for kids and “Refugee Voices;” personal stories shared by area refugees about their experience and what it means to be a refugee. Traditional cuisine from Nepal, Zambia, Kenya and several other ethnicities from local restaurants and vendors will be available for purchase (cash only).
World Refugee Day was established by the United Nations to honor and recognize the approximately 42.5 million refugees, internally displaced and stateless people around the world who are forced to flee their homes under threat of persecution, conflict and violence. The observance of World Refugee Day in Pittsburgh is a collaborative effort of the major refugee resettlement agencies and service providers in the local community.
Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&CS), Northern Area Multi-Service Center (NAMS), Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council (GPLC), Acculturation for Justice, Access & Peace Outreach (AJAPO), American Red Cross of Southwest Pennsylvania, Compass AmeriCorps, City of Asylum Pittsburgh, Repair the World: Pittsburgh and CISV Pittsburgh will collaboratively host the celebration. The event is funded by Vibrant Pittsburgh and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.