On June 20, 2006, the World Refugee Day was commemorated in all of the Churches in Lebanon during their Sunday masses during which congregations were reminded of the old Christian tradition of welcoming the stranger and giving hope to their lives.
A whole week of activities and events were dedicated to the World Refugee Day by UNHCR and its operational partners in Lebanon, namely the MECC Unit on Life & Service/Service to Refugees, Displaced and Migrants (SRDM), Caritas/Migrants, the Danish Refugee Council, Association Justice Et Misericorde, Medecins du Monde, Frontiers and Insan associations.
An official ceremony, held under the High Patronage of the Minister of Culture, H.E. Dr. Tarek Mitri, took place on June 20 at the American University of Beirut, under the theme of Hope. High-level religious and government officials, civil society organizations and representatives of local and international NGOs, and over 300 refugees were present.
Mr. Stephane Jacquemet, UNHCR Regional Representative addressed the audienc e giving a historical background to the Refugee Day celebration. He took the opportunity to thank the Interior Security Forces for their collaboration hoping for more and better cooperation. He also addressed the issue of arbitrary and mandatory detention practices in the Middle East region and worldwide. He welcomed the efforts of and initiatives taken by the MECC and for being actively involved in the International Detention Coalition to combat these practices and to promote better conditions in detention centers. He also announced the launching of the International Coalition on this same day in several countries around the world and called for cooperation and support from NGOs. He stated his readiness and commitment t o collaborate in this endeavor.
The NGOs¹ address was delivered by the MECC / SRDM Senior Social Counselor Ms. Mona Abu Jamra who appreciated UNHCR¹s role in refugee rehabilitation projects. She hoped peace would prevail in the world, to allow people to live in their home countries and not wander around the world as asylum seekers or refugees. She spoke of the International Detention Coalition, which counts around 40 international member organizations in 100 countries.
Refugees brought their active participation to the event with a cultural program that included dances, music, poems and drama sketches. A reception and an exhibition of refugees¹ art and handwork followed the event.
The second major event was a musical concert offered by Lebanese singer Charbel Rouhana at the UNESCO Palace in the presence of H. E. Dr. Tarek Mitri, diplomats, representatives of churches and NGOs, as well a Rouhana¹s fans. The concert was a great success and the income will be used to suppor t various refugee projects.
Other events of the week, including theater, photo and art exhibitions, cultural musical concerts, games activities, puppet shows, displays of cultural food made by refugees and games, were organized by the MECC/UNHCR Community Center as well as different organizations.
The events were widely covered by the local media.
Middle East Council of Churches Office of International Ecumenical Relations P.O. Box 5376, Beirut, Lebanon
Guirgis Ibrahim Saleh, General Secretary
mecc@cyberia.net.lb or guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb
+961-1-353-938 http://www.mec-churches.org/