World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe.
Description and History
World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.
Professional Learning Resources
Libraries Respond: Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers
Libraries Respond keeps current events in conversation with libraries' ongoing work in and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This collection contains resources on Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers.
Working With and for Refugee and Immigrant Teens
This YALSA blog post looks at the important role libraries play in providing resources, access, information and materials that are free to all and addresses what libraries are doing to address needs of refugee and immigrant populations.
Supporting Refugee Children and Youth: Tips for Educators
These reminders from the National Association of School Psychologists are good to consider when thinking of refugee families. They often need consideration, support, or services from a wider school community.
Learner Engagement Resources
The Refugee Doll Project
The Refugee Doll Project demonstrates how refugee dolls can be used with books, lesson plans, and service projects to help learners internalize the concepts of what it is like to be new, what it is like to be different, and how to be welcoming.
Refugee Stories from USA for UNHCR
USA for UNHCR shares information, hashtags, and stories (videos and text) to commemorate the strength, courage and perseverance of millions of refugees.
The Welcoming Library from I’m Your Neighbor
A Welcoming Library can be borrowed from locations around the nation. I’m Your Neighbor also regularly updates the book list of books for all ages with themes around refugees, immigration, and new Americans.
Little Amal and The Walk
Little Amal is a 12 foot puppet of a 10 year old Syrian girl. She has visited cities and towns around the world bringing attention to the large numbers of refugee children fleeing war, persecution, and violence. Education packs and poems are available.
What is a Refugee?
Download a What is a Refugee graphic/poster from illustrator Elise Gravel. The comic depiction is suitable for all levels of libraries and can provide context when paired with more abstract texts.
Book Lists
Books Matter™ | Children's & Young Adult Literature
ADL provides an online bibliography of recommended children’s and young adult books about bias, bullying, diversity and social justice. This curated list provides age level recommended books on Immigrant & Refugee Rights.
