PRETORIA – World Refugee Day is a day that seeks to draw attention to the plight of refugees and celebrate their courage and resilience. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Department of Home Affairs, the City of Tshwane and their Partners are calling upon the public and business sector to observe the day by “Doing 1 Thing” in recognition of refugees and the protection of their rights. We will learn not only the challenges faced by refugees, but also celebrate the positive contributions refugees make.

Theme: One Family Torn Apart by War is Too Many. “Simunye in Building Communities of Peace and Diversity”

Venue: City Hall, Pretorius Square, cnr of Paul Kruger and Visagie Street, Tshwane

Date: Thursday, 20 June 2013

Time: 10:00 to 13:00

GUEST SPEAKERS/FEATURED PERFORMERS:

• H. E. Ms. Naledi Pandor, Minister of the Department of Home Affairs

• Dr. Kgosientso Ramokgopa, Executive Mayor of Tshwane

• Ms. Clementine Nkweta-Salami, Regional Representative for Southern Africa, UNHCR

• Soweto Gospel Choir

• MC: Stoan Seete

Programme:

09:00: Arrival of guests, registration and tea

09:45: Welcoming Performance by Tshwane Gospel Choir

10:00: Opening of the programme– By MC: Mr. Stoan Seete

10:05: Official Welcome by the Dr.  Kgosientso Ramokgopa, Executive Mayor of Tshwane

10:15: Key Note Address by H.E. Ms. Naledi Pandor,  Minister of Home Affairs

10:30: Remarks by Ms. Stefanie Nonda, refugee in South Africa

10:40:  Remarks by Clementine Nkweta- Salami, UNHCR Regional Representative

10:50:  Performance by French choir

11:00: Brief overview of Soccer tournament and awarding of medals

11:20: Performance by the Soweto Gospel Choir

11:50: Performances by Cultural Groups

12:45: Soweto Gospel Choir Performance with refugee artists

13:00: Vote of thanks – Mr. Jason Ngobene, City Manager of Tshwane

For more information please contact:

Tina Ghelli, UNHCR
tel:012 392 1612/ 082 770 4189

Martin Mande, Xaveri Movement
tel: 012 326 5311/0767598280

Gaone Dixon, IOM
tel: 012 342 2789

Partners

Xaveri Movement
Damietta Peace Initiative (DPI)
Tshwane Leadership Foundation (TLF)
Church of ScientologyJesuit Refugee Services (JRS)
Refugee Alliance for Justice (RAJ)
African Community Soccer League (ACOSOL)
Sonke Gender Justice Network
Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa (CORMSA)