Where were you on June 20th, 2011? For many people, that day was a typical Monday like any other. But, for those of us at USA for UNHCR, it was the busiest day of the year!
The Phillips Collection provided an elegant setting for USA for UNHCR's World Refugee Day event.
June 20th of every year is World Refugee Day. Individuals and organizations around the world set aside this day to honor the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homes under threat of persecution, conflict and violence. Some host small gatherings in their community, others attend large events coordinated by UNHCR and other refugee aid organizations, and still more simply take the opportunity to wear their Blue Key and tell friends about World Refugee Day.
USA for UNHCR held a World Refugee Day luncheon at the Phillips Collection in Washington, DC. We were honored to be joined by supporters from around the country, speakers Seth Mock and Seymour Hersh, and Blue Key Champions Jill Foster and Tinu Abayomi-Paul.
Our first featured speaker, Seth Mock, made a moving speech detailing his experience as a refugee, leaving his homeland of Sudan and resettling into the US – including some humorous first-time experiences with things that Americans usually take for granted.
Then, our keynote speaker took the stage. Seymour Hersh, author and journalist, first received international attention for his coverage of the My Lai massacre in 1969 and wrote his first piece for The New Yorker in 1971 and continues to be a regular contributor to the magazine today, focusing on security and military issues. His writing has won a Pulitzer Prize, five George Polk Awards, two National Magazine Awards, and more than a dozen other prizes for investigative reporting.
Seymour Hersh speaks at World Refugee Day 2011
Mr. Hersh was kind enough to openly praise UNHCR and its many backers – including those in the room. “Those who support UNHCR are doing the best they can at making the world a better place,” said the author.
During the event, USA for UNHCR also recognized the efforts of two rising stars: Cayla Mackey of Vanerbilt University and Asfandyar Alir Mir of Stanford University. These college students stepped up during the 2010 Pakistan Floods to raise tens of thousands of dollars at their respective universities – each! We are so impressed with their compassion and initiative.
USA for UNHCR would like to thank Mr. Mock, Mr. Hersh, our generous sponsors, and everyone who was kind enough to take the time out of their schedule on June 20th to participate in our event. We’d also like to acknowledge the Phillips Collection for the wonderful venue to hold our event.
Did you do anything for World Refugee Day? Let us know in the comments!
Photos from USA for UNHCR’s World Refugee Day Luncheon:
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