World Refugee Sunday was launched more than 15 years ago by the Refugee Highway Partnership in cooperation with the World Evangelical Alliance to raise awareness and pray for refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide.

The UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 55/76 on 4 December 2000. In this resolution, the General Assembly noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. In solidarity with the African Nations, the United Nations adopted African Refugee Day as World Refugee Day. The UN General Assembly decided that from 2001, 20 June would be celebrated as World Refugee Day.

Since June 20th has been declared World Refugee Day by the United Nations, the Sunday before or immediately after June 20th was chosen as Refugee Sunday. Under the theme “I was a stranger”, World Refugee Sunday 2023 will focus on the Christian calling to welcome strangers.

I was a stranger you welcomed me,

– Matthew 25:35 (ESV)

For more information, check the iwas.live website.

Please visit our EEA refugees resources webpage to find specific resources on the occasion of World Refugee Sunday.

For a wide variety of further resources on the topic please visit the EEA’s dedicated website of The Refugee Campaign.