Its golden torch shines as an international beacon of hope for millions of refugees past and present who have fled oppression and persecution. African nations have marked Refugee Day every June 20 since 1975, but this is the first time it will be recognized worldwide. The celebration will also feature an educational program to showcase the art and literary work of both refugee and non-refugee children throughout the world. We are also reminded of the tremendous contributions that refugees have made in their adoptive communities worldwide. The courage and perseverance of refugees in overcoming all odds is well-worth celebrating, even if our longevity as an agency dealing with the scourge of human displacement is not.
Refugees deserve our respect.
Clearly, the event is a milestone in the history of the park. What more appropriate event to hold at the location of Liberty Enlightening the World , the name given to the Statue of Liberty by artist Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi. The monument symbolizes the living reality of freedom and opportunity around the globe. Woven into the history of the Statue are the aspirations and contributions of the millions of immigrants, many of them refugees, who helped build their new homeland. The event also honors the work of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.