June 20 is World Refugee Day.

Hundreds of thousands Uzbek refugees need clothes and water after fleeing violence in which 171 people have died in Kyrgysztan (Guardian.co.uk).

"You can take away my home but you can't take away my future. (Theme 2010)"

The 1951 Refugee Convention establishing UNHCR spells out that a refugee is someone who "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country."

There were 43.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide at the end of 2009.

Of these, 15.2 million were refugees, asylum-seekers and 27.1 million internally displaced persons.

10.4 million of these are under UNHCR protection. (UNHCR, 2009 Global Trends)

These Internationally ordained days of awareness; such as World Womens day, day of the African child and Day of the Refugee are helpful ways of having a collective discussion of underrepresented persons. It is a fantastic opportunity to initiate dialogue in ones community. I especially think its a helpful way for teachers to incorporate issues of social justice into learning. For example, surrounding this day, teachers could have the students engage in few personal, written or historical accounts of stateless persons. After a class discussion and sharing around ideas of citizenry, ethnicity and human rights students could write their own stories, poems or drawings that reflect the notion of statelessness. It is of great historic import that we begin to broaden ideas of belonging in order to fit the increasing millions of people that are forced or choose to migrate. As our environmental systems continue in the direction of demise there will be increasing numbers of people fleeing their homelands. All of these aspects must be apprised across the lands.

Refugees too should be given the opportunity to tell their own stories. I have found self-narrative and, creative writing and poetry a powerful way of teaching English as a Second Language to refugee clients. Whether it is the story of the flight from their country of origin, or just a life account it is important to give every person a sense and right to Voice, and being heard. Storytelling also builds community.

Even when people are resettled, repatriate or are re-naturalized the journey of perseverance does not cease. The rebuilding and cultural detachment, grim realities of come of resettlement dreams. But despite challenge, making decisions everyday in order to give family a chance a new life and a brighter future.

We can do things too. These are just a few organizations that help refugees in their process of seeking protection to rebuilding lives :

The International Rescue Committee

Refugee Council, USA

Human Rights First

UNHCR

Do donate to The KYRGYZSTAN & UZBEKISTAN crisis by clicking here.

We Could be doing more for the displaced among us.