World Refugee Day 2009
The
Galway Refugee Support Group marked World Refugee Day by hosting a
celebration in Aras na nGael, an Irish club in Galway city. The Galway
Refugee Support Group decided to host the celebrations in Aras na nGael
as this represents an opportunity to embrace Irish language and
culture, whilst also experiencing the wealth and contribution that
Refugees bring to Ireland.
World Refugee Day was established by
the United Nations General Assembly to recognize and celebrate the
contribution of refugees throughout the world. World Refugee Day has
become an annual celebration marked by a variety of events in over one
hundred countries. Each year the celebration takes a
different
theme, this year the theme is ‘Real People, Real Needs’.
The
event held by the Galway Refugee Support Group drew a large gathering
from the asylum seeking, refugee and Irish community. There was a wide
variety of entertainment available on the day; which included a
photographic exhibition by residents living in direct provision
accommodation.
Photos from the day by Julianne Friedrich