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On June 20, World Refugee Day was successfully held worldwide. The global community gathered its hands to ruminate upon the noble meaning of the day. Also in Korea, to celebrate its meaning and spirit, various refugee-related organizations contributed to the celebration of the day.

What Is World Refugee Day?

      On 4 December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 55/76 decided that, from 2001, 20 June would be celebrated as World Refugee Day. In this resolution, the General Assembly noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. African Refugee Day had been formally celebrated in several countries prior to 2000. The UN noted that the Organization of African Unity had agreed to have International Refugee Day coincide with Africa Refugee Day on 20 June. And from June 18 to 20 the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, commemorates World Refugee Day in Washington, DC, in order to draw the public's attention to the millions of refugees worldwide who are forced to flee their homes. Each year, UNHCR selects a theme and coordinates events across the globe.

      

      This year, the UNHCR announced the theme of 2011 World Refugee Day to be “Do 1 Thing.” 

2011 World Refugee Day Campaign Promotion Video
  

         UNIQLO is a Japanese casual wear designer, manufacturer and retailer. As a part of its Cooperate Social Responsibility, it holds UNIQLO Recycle project throughout this year in the partnership with UNHCR. The project encourages customers to bring old and worn clothes to UNIQLO stores, which will donate collected clothes to refugees or utilize them as resources for regenerated fuels. Those willing to participate in the UNIQLO Recycle project can bring clothes bought from UNIQLO to its stores any time this year.