World Refugee Day

Recognizing courage, uplifting stories, and supporting new beginnings.

Every minute, 20 people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution, or terror. This World Refugee Day, join us in honoring their strength, resilience, and courage.

Real Stories, Shared Strength.

Behind every refugee statistic is a human story — a face, a name, a life forever changed by conflict, persecution, or disaster. This World Refugee Day, we focus on these real stories — the voices of those who have fled unimaginable circumstances and found strength, dignity, and a future here in Canada.

Experience
Our Storytelling Display

From war zones to new beginnings, these journeys speak to the strength of the human spirit — and the shared values that unite us all.

📍 S Building, Glass Stairwell
🕒 Open Daily: June 15 to June 19, 2026

Discover Stories of Courage and Migration

Explore real, lived experiences of people forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or disaster. These powerful stories highlight the strength and resilience of individuals who have built new lives in Canada.

Stories available online and on display — discover them all.

  • These stories share real experiences of displacement, trauma, and resilience. Some content may be emotionally difficult.

    Please read at your own pace and take care of yourself.

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Oksana and Mykolas family

“One of the biggest challenges that we have when coming to Canada is the struggle of having not chosen this life. We run from the death, from the war and there’s no time to prepare for this moving.”

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Khesraw and Mitra’s family

“Before Taliban, Mitra and I never thought one day that we will leave Afghanistan, becoming refugees. I had a lot of plans to serve the people of my home country.”

Read More!

Freawet Mega

“Exciting is not the right word…this is life-changing,” she says. “It changed their life and my life. They’re safe here. It’s huge.”

Read More!

Hasan Sheblak

Hasan arrived to Canada in 2016 with his wife and children and were supported by ISSofBC’s RAP program.

Watch Full Video!

Syn Amanuel

“When you are a refugee, you are a nobody. You've lost your identity. Everything that you once believed to be true and familiar is jeopardized and you're rebuilding a life from scratch.”

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Juan

Fleeing death threats for helping vulnerable communities, I found safety in Canada, thanks to COMPASS, and now I’m rebuilding my life by helping other refugees

Read More

WUSC AT UFV

The World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Local Committee at UFV is helping transform lives through education. Through the Student Refugee Program, UFV students welcome refugee youth to campus and support them as they begin their academic and personal journeys in Canada.

Ways to take action:

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