Ten Thousand Things
Multicultural Webfinds

"Ten Thousand Things" is a Buddhist expression representing the dynamic interconnection and simultaneous unity and diversity of everything in the universe.

World Refugee Day in Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, and Hong Kong (a city built by refugees)

June 20 is World Refugee Day:



"Every year on June 20 the world honours the courage, resilience and strength of refugees. On this sixth anniversary of the United Nations-designated World Refugee Day, thousands of organisations in hundreds of countries will come together to focus global attention not only on the plight of refugees and the causes of their exile, but also on their determination and will to survive and on the contributions they make to their host communities.

"Often classified unfairly with economic migrants, refugees flee their country not for economic gain but to escape persecution, the threat of imprisonment and even threats to their lives. They need a safe haven where they can recover from mental and physical trauma and rebuild their hopes for a better future.

"The intolerance that is often at the root of internal displacement and refugee flows is also present in some of the countries that refugees flee to. Instead of finding empathy and understanding, they are often met with mistrust or scorn...

"While most refugees want to go home, some cannot safely return. But wherever they are, refugees will always strive to pick up the pieces and start over. The courage and determination demonstrated during their darkest hours will serve them well in rebuilding a new life. On World Refugee Day, let us honour them for these qualities and recognise the richness and diversity they bring to our societies."

Karryn Cartelle's piece, "World Refugee Day: Local organizations join efforts to raise awareness of a growing problem" in Metropolis, has background on the situation of those seeking refugee status in Japan (since 1982, only 410 have been accepted out of nearly 5,000 people have applied for refugee status in Japan) and World Refugee Day events at the UN House in Tokyo's Aoyama district.

GYAKU, a great progressive news site, has details on a WRD symposium on Burmese refugees: <> sponsored by Amnesty International Japan and the UNHCR Japan:

"In Burma (Myanmar), a military regime continues its rule. Many Burmese people have fled to escape persecution in their homeland, not knowing whether they will be able to return, now living in this country Japan. What is the real international contribution? What can we do to help? Please come and think about this problem with America's largest human rights NGO Human Rights Now, as well as with Burmese refugees and supporters."

The symposium will be held July 1, 2007 (Sunday), from 12:30 (Photo exhibit and booths, etc. start at 11:00) at Osaka City Information Center, 3rd floor Hall. The entrance fee is 1000 yen.

Speakers include David Mathison (sp?), Human Rights Watch, Kinmaunra-san, Burmese refugee (spelling from Japanese), and Majima Joukei, Japan-Burma Association.

Seoul City Hall Plaza will hold a photo exhibition on refugee children and the ninemillion.org campaign (9,000,000 children are refugees right now) will be for two weeks in June. Then the exhibition will move to Gwangju and possibly Kangwondo. Throughout June, several TV channels will broadcast programmes related to World Refugee Day and the ninemillion.org campaign.

Sarah Cornish at Christian Action in Hong Kong invites all to their World Refugee Day event at the Fringe Club:

"Please attend our World Refugee Day event at the Fringe Club!

"The evening will include film shorts and asylum monologues performances, live music inspired by the plight of refugees and the opportunity to buy handmade fair trade refugee products from across the world. You can also view our exhibition of photographs, artwork and poetry by and about asylum seekers and refugees in Hong Kong.

"Hong Kong is a city built by refugees –brave individuals trying to escape violence, persecution and poverty in search of a better life. Today, Hong Kong is still a place where desperate people arrive in hopes of asylum. But their lives, and the intense difficulties they face, are often invisible. Our exhibition “A Sense of Asylum” seeks to raise awareness about contemporary refugees and asylum seekers in Hong Kong.

Live performance of the song "Do You"
by Helen Mottee

Helen is a songwriter / singer / pianist from Australias who focuses on social justice and humanitarian issues. Her new song, "Do You", has been written for and about refugees and has been inspired not only by the situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Hong Kong, but also by the horrific ongoing IDP and refugee crises in Darfur and Burma.

Helen's message for World Refugee Day: 'If you know, you are responsible. Tell the stories, paint the pictures, write the letters and become a friend to these people.

Come and show your support!

Entry: Free.

Donations: Welcome! The Exhibition can also be viewed from June 19th to 24th at the Fringe Gallery.

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