Events

World Refugee Day 2020: Distant but Together

On June 20 MAP BC hosted its very first online celebration of World Refugee Day. Through music, poetry and story hundreds of supporters across the world celebrated the talents and contributions of refugees in our communities.

With the theme "Distant but Together", the celebration recognized the distances refugees come to find safety in Canada often leaving their families and friends far away. At the same time the necessarily online event celebrated the community that has been created here in British Columbia to bring us all together - despite social distancing. COVID-19 is a reality for everyone, but what pulls us apart, actually brings us together.

Here are some moments from that wonderful celebration. Enjoy the artists, support their work and find out more about them on their various social media platforms.

Till this time next year!

Welcome by Mariana Vieyra Martinez, Co-Chair MAP BC

World Refugee Day Proclamation by the Mayor of Vancouver

Hassan Al Kontar - the Man at the Airport

Find out more at: www.manattheairport.com

Twitter: @kontar81

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kontar1981

YouTube listings:

Al-Jazeera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6ki0yw1uJI

CBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTlW1rBs82U&t=34s

PBS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u__ZAo8suUg

University of Victoria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x5295lfVDk

CBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOCPzDRVaEA&t=12s

Tamanya-Waka, International Reggae Artist

Rawan Moon, Refugee and Poet

Find out more at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzxii3F0_qetu4Rihllsw7Q

Panel Discussion: Helping Refugees During the Pandemic

Sari Alesh, Internationally Recognized Violinist

Khatira, Poet, Visual Artist and Student

Find out more about her poetry and art by emailing: khatiradaryabi@gmail.com

Saied Kooshki, Musician and Singer

Find out more at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChyFs72xcWntMXZfeGqpkAQ

Jorge and Araphat: A story of friendship

Hosam Falouji, Band from Gaza, Palestine

Vocals: Hosam Falouji
Band members:
Technical supervisor: Anas Al-Najjar
Writer and composer: Rizk Jojo
Qānūn: Firas Al-Sharafi
Clarinet player: Wasim Ali
Keyboardist: Aboud Qassem
Musical rhyme tuning: Mohammed Al-Basha

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJNtxiJvdsZ8aKTzToMPxAg

Thank you and Dear Refugee film

Past events

June 20: Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch, Vancouver.

MAP’s World Refugee Day celebrations: June 20th at Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch. We really hope you can attend! The event is from 11am-4pm and then in the evening from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm.

Please see registration information below.

Highlights of World Refugee Day include:

Information Marketplace – 30 agencies involved in serving refugee claimants will display their information. A great place to meet new and old faces and discuss issues and opportunities.

Walk with Me – An opportunity to walk in the footsteps of a refugee claimant in Canada, through the process towards claiming refugee protection and the inevitable challenges.

Starting Over – A panel of former refugee claimants, talking about their personal experiences in starting over in Canada. This panel will host a variety of backgrounds.

Refugee Law in Troubling Times – Hear from prominent local lawyers about current issues and what challenges claimants, and the lawyers to serve them, are facing.

Our Lives in Music – Listen to a variety of music from those who came to Canada as refugees from all over the world.

As well, in the evening there will be another Starting Over event: a panel focusing on the distinct needs of LGBTQ + refugee claimants, their experiences in Canada, the challenges they faced, the agencies that helped them and where they are now in their Canadian journeys.

This special event will feature Rainbow Refugee and MOSAIC’s ‘I Belong’ program and the photographic exhibition #BreakTheStigma.

And More!

Please click on the links below for more information on the event, exact directions, and to register – look forward to seeing you on June 20th! And spread the word!

Get tickets here:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/world-refugee-day-tickets-61399289929?aff=efbeventtix

MAP gratefully acknowledges the financial support of Vancouver City Savings Credit Union (Vancity) who make MAP World Refugee Day activities possible.

June 20: Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, Abbotsford. 6:30pm.

Inasmuch Community Society would love it if you would come to the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium on June 20, 2019 at 7:00pm for the screening of the incredible documentary Inside My Heart.

At the peak of the refugee and migrant crisis, three families are forced to flee war-torn Syria and Afghanistan, seeking safe harbour on foreign shores. Having witnessed unthinkable atrocities and had the lives they’ve known taken away, these people – mothers, fathers, sons and daughters – show remarkable resilience as they fight for survival.

The fly-on-the-wall techniques used in the film allow us to witness the families’ frustrations over the course of three years and better understand the hopes they have for their children.

Inside My Heart – made by Debra Kellner and produced by Frank Giustra, Serge Lalou and Richard Copans – was supported by The Giustra Foundation. It shows the real life experience of those forced to flee their homes in search of peace and stability and serves as an artistic piece of encouragement to open our hearts to our global neighbours.

Click the link below to get your tickets – all proceeds will go to Inasmuch Community Society to support and extend their work with refugee claimants.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inside-my-heart-documentary-film-for-world-refugee-day-tickets-61169155591

June 18: Burnaby Public Library, Burnaby. 5:30pm – 8:30pm.