For World Refugee Day on 20 June, the Office of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ High Commissioner for Refugees (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵHCR) and the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Bookshop are spotlighting refugee and youth creativity through a universal symbol of unity - football.
Together, they are presenting a designed by refugees and youth artists, blending art, storytelling, and sport to share messages of resilience and hope.
Refugees are "more than their status"
Among the contributors is Thuria Elrashid Elamin Ahmed, a 23-year-old originally from Sudan. Her journey from Saudi Arabia to Sri Lanka and, eventually, resettlement in the United Kingdom, was marked by years of uncertainty, limited opportunities, and long waiting periods.
Throughout these challenges, art became her source of strength and expression. With support from Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵHCR partners, she pursued her education, developed her creative skills and was accepted into the Edinburgh College of Art. Her design reflects resilience and the power of creativity, echoing her message that refugees are ¡°more than their status¡ people with hopes and dreams.¡±
This initiative celebrates refugees not only as survivors, but as creators and contributors. By amplifying their voices, it highlights the power of opportunity, creativity, and inclusion.
"From Uprooted to Unstoppable"
Complementing the collection is From Uprooted to Unstoppable, an exhibit organized by Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵHCR in the Visitor¡¯s Lobby of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Headquarters in New York. The exhibit showcases its ¡°Gamechanging Team,¡± a symbolic football team of players with refugee backgrounds. It celebrates resilience, courage, and the power of sport to transform young lives, and is on display until 27 July.
The soccer ball collection is available at the and at , with all proceeds supporting the work of the Organization.
