DWS News
June 14, 2010

World Refugee Day Educational Week & Festival 2010

SALT LAKE CITY – Since 1983, more than 25,000 refugees have resettled in Utah, contributing to the diverse community in excess of 50 languages, ethnicities, and nationalities, and a priceless amount of culture, traditions, and rituals. World Refugee Day is an opportunity of honoring the courage, resilience, and strength of people who came to the United States as refugees and now call Utah their home. World Refugee Day is a celebration of dance, music, arts, food, and sports. It is our mission to educate the public on the hardships refugees faced in their countries and in the refugee camps, which resulted in their relocation, as well as, educate the public on the hardships these communities currently face as residents of Utah.

This year’s World Refugee Day Educational Week & Festival will hold the following educational community events and celebrations in Salt Lake City:

  • Monday, June 14, Kickoff Reception at Day Riverside Branch Library 1575 W. 1000 N., 7-9 PM.
  • Tuesday, June 15, "Why Hire Refugees?" Employment Panel Discussion at the Bill & Vieve Gore School of Business, Westminster College, 1840 S. 1300 E., 7-9 PM.
  • Wednesday, June 16, Community Dialogue at the Wilford W. & Dorothy P. Goodwill Humanitarians Building, University of Utah 395 South 1500 East, 7-9 PM.
  • Thursday, June 17, Congo Restoration film & discussion at the Downtown Library 210 E. 400 S, 7-9 PM. Local advocates of the Congolese community will discuss the contents of the film and speak about the Congo war.
  • Friday, June 18, Refugee Art Exhibits as part of the Downtown Art Gallery Stroll at The Green Ant & Misc. Boutique 179 E Broadway, 7-9 PM.

On Saturday, June 19, The World Refugee Day Festival will take place at Granite High School 3305 South 500 East in Salt Lake City. The Festival begins at 12 noon and will end at 8 PM. Festivities include music, arts, crafts, food, community resources, and a celebration of the many refugee communities that have resettled in Utah.

For more information regarding World Refugee Day, please contact Felecia Maxfield, Chairperson, at 801-536-7178. For more information about the department’s Refugee Services Office or volunteering opportunities to provide services to refugees in Utah, contact Mary Gehman-Smith at 801-526 -9483 or go to the DWS Refugee Services Office website at refugee.utah.gov.

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