San Diego’s 1st World Refugee Day Event
San Diego is the refugee resettlement capital of the world, offering more refugee families and individuals a safe haven and a chance to rebuild their lives than any other area of similar size around the globe.
For years, many countries and regions have been holding various Refugee Days and even Weeks. In 2000, the UN General Assembly decided that, from 2001, 20 June would be celebrated as World Refugee Day.
The June 19, 2025 World Refugee Day celebration is the first event of that nature in San Diego. It will highlight the many contributions refugees make to their new communities in San Diego, across the country, and worldwide. Meet your neighbor and celebrate San Diego as the refugee resettlement capital of the world. Sample its diversity during this carefully curated afternoon with fantastic food, fascinating photography, vivid video installations and inspiring discussions.
World Refugee Event
When: June 19th 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Where: Musuem of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park
1:00 pm: Welcome by Ralph Achenbach, Chairperson, San Diego Refugee Forum, Andrew Walsh, United States Association for UNHCR, and Bob Montgomery,
Executive Director, International Rescue Committee (IRC) San Diego.
A Silent Journey: Har Sin, a 24-year-old deaf refugee from Burma, never imagined he could convey those complex emotions only hinted at his expressive eyes - about how he felt, what he feared, what his dreams were - to anyone but himself. Then he made a discovery.
2:00pm: Bear Guerra, International Humanitarian Photographer
Somali Bantu refugees in the USA: A portrait of life for Somali Bantu refugees soon after resettlement in Boston, MA. This series of images tells a story of learning, community, work, and joy that is part of the universal experience for many refugees after arriving in America.
3:00pm: Don Bartletti, Pulitzer Prize Winner
The Consequences of War and Peace: Iraqi citizens and their struggle amid the chaos of war in 2003. And, surrounded by peace in 2010, Iraqi refugees take on a new battle with language, unemployment, and isolation in San Diego.
4:00pm: Fady Hadid, award-winning filmmaker
San Diego Premiere of “Where We Live,” an intimate portrait of an Iraqi refugee family trying to create a new home for themselves in San Diego, with the memories of their war-torn homeland still fresh in their minds.
5:00pm: Reception and Refreshments
Sample delicious foods representing the culinary traditions of San Diego’s diverse refugee communities and enjoy engaging discussions with refugee community members and assistance providers. Also experience thrilling performances of traditional cultural dances.
With brief remarks from our honored guests:
Marti Emerald, Councilmember, City of San Diego
Todd Gloria, Councilmember, City of San Diego
Woo-Jin Shim, Director of Community Relations, Office of County of San Diego Supervisor Ron Roberts
