Join us in celebrating 70 years of protecting refugees

Help us mark 70 years of protecting those forced to flee by finishing the sentence, “A refugee is…”

Photo: © UNHCR / Roger Arnold

We’ve teamed up with lexicographer and refugee supporter Susie Dent to pay homage to the myriad of people, stories and experiences that make up the word “refugee.”

But, first, a brief history lesson… The 1951 Refugee Convention provided the first legal definition of who a refugee is and has protected the human rights of people fleeing conflict and persecution ever since.

What are we looking for? Just a short line to help us capture the personal stories of survival, hope and new beginnings made possible by these human rights.

This could be anything from your own personal experience or that of a refugee you met or have been inspired by. You can even submit the experiences of a family member or friend.

We look forward to reading your definitions!

Photo: © UK for UNHCR

We’ve teamed up with lexicographer and refugee supporter Susie Dent to pay homage to the myriad of people, stories and experiences that make up the word “refugee.”

But, first, a brief history lesson… The 1951 Refugee Convention provided the first legal definition of who a refugee is and has protected the human rights of people fleeing conflict and persecution ever since.

What are we looking for? Just a short line to help us capture the personal stories of survival, hope and new beginnings made possible by these human rights.

This could be anything from your own personal experience or that of a refugee you met or have been inspired by. You can even submit the experiences of a family member or friend.

We look forward to reading your definitions!

“Refugees are people, like you and me who just want to call a place home, to belong, to be safe and to live without fear. When all those things suddenly disappear, we have to create space in our communities, help them repair and rebuild their lives – so that one day they can find home again.”

-Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Photo: © UNHCR / D. Diaz

Join us in celebrating 70 years of protecting refugees

Help us mark 70 years of protecting those forced to flee by finishing the sentence, “A refugee is…”

Photo: © UNHCR / Roger Arnold

We’ve teamed up with lexicographer and refugee supporter Susie Dent to pay homage to the myriad of people, stories and experiences that make up the word “refugee.”

We’ve teamed up with lexicographer and refugee supporter Susie Dent to pay homage to the myriad of people, stories and experiences that make up the word “refugee.”

“Refugees are people, like you and me who just want to call a place home, to belong, to be safe and to live without fear. When all those things suddenly disappear, we have to create space in our communities, help them repair and rebuild their lives – so that one day they can find home again.”

“Refugees are people, like you and me who just want to call a place home, to belong, to be safe and to live without fear. When all those things suddenly disappear, we have to create space in our communities, help them repair and rebuild their lives – so that one day they can find home again.”

What does the word “refugee” mean to you?

“Someone who brings good and bad memories from home but leaves them behind and looks to the future in a new country with hope.”

“Someone who brings good and bad memories from home but leaves them behind and looks to the future in a new country with hope.”

“A person who could be me, who could be you if circumstances were to change in an instant.”

“A person who could be me, who could be you if circumstances were to change in an instant.”

“A boy who had to give up his childhood”

“A boy who had to give up his childhood.”

“My gifted friend, my collaborator, my teacher, my inspiration”

“My gifted friend, my collaborator, my teacher, my inspiration”

“A doting dad who always finds the joy in everyday moments.”

“A doting dad who always finds the joy in everyday moments.”

“My grandmother, who is the life of the party, always first on the dancefloor and last one to leave!”

“My grandmother, who is the life of the party, always first on the dancefloor and last one to leave!”

“A 12-year-old girl who understands how important education is to achieving her dreams.”

“A 12-year-old girl who understands how important education is to achieving her dreams.”

“A refugee is a human being with hopes and dreams like everyone else. A refugee can be anyone, like a pilot flying your plane – a pilot like me!”

“A refugee is a human being with hopes and dreams like everyone else. A refugee can be anyone, like a pilot flying your plane – a pilot like me!”

“A father passing down his top-secret recipe from one generation to the next.”

“A father passing down his top-secret recipe from one generation to the next.”

“Someone just like you and me; but who has had the misfortune of having to leave their home behind. Someone who has had to bravely start another chapter of their lives in an unfamiliar place. Someone like my friend.”

“Someone just like you and me; but who has had the misfortune of having to leave their home behind. Someone who has had to bravely start another chapter of their lives in an unfamiliar place. Someone like my friend.”

“A person who loves their country, but has to leave it as it’s become impossible for them to go on living there. It’s heartbreaking to leave the place you were born in, and all the people you loved, and be brave enough to seek another country. I was a refugee once.”

“A person who loves their country, but has to leave it as it’s become impossible for them to go on living there. It’s heartbreaking to leave the place you were born in, and all the people you loved, and be brave enough to seek another country. I was a refugee once.”