News & Events: UNHCR at 70

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) turned 70 on 14 December 2020. This media page provides more info about the establishment of the organization, as well as access to archived documents, videos, photos, and an opinion piece authored by the High Commissioner and available in four languages. In addition, this Spotlight provides a visual journey of UNHCR's efforts to provide protection and assistance to refugees over 70 years.

A conference commemorating the anniversary will take place over four days in January. Here are the details:

70 Years Protecting People Forced to Flee: Virtual Conference on the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 18, 19, 21, 27 January 2021 [info via GAIN] [info via Essex]

- This event will feature "unique contributions from academia to burden and responsibility sharing, protection and solutions for refugees, as well as how academic research can inform policy making, programme implementation and evidence-based decision-making." There will be an opening ceremony that provides a global introduction to the concepts of protection and solutions, followed by eight regional sessions, all of which will be livestreamed on the Essex Human Rights Centre Youtube channel; recordings will be posted after the fact for those who could not participate.   

Last but not least, a crowdfunding initiative is underway to raise funds in support of refugee scholarships. More info is available here.