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.
