Organized by:UNHCR

Date:June 29, 2005

Venue:Caritas Hong Kong

Community Hall

Courage is the theme of this year’s World Refugee Day.Various activities were organized worldwide to celebrate this annual event.

In Hong Kong, UNHCR organized a photo exhibition displaying some 40 photos of Indo-Chinese refugees, who have successfully settled and locally integrated in different provinces of China.

The photos displayed in the exhibition were taken by an Italian photographer Mr. Andrea Oschetti who lives in Hong Kong.Mr. Oschetti visited provinces in China where refugees have settled and captured the stories of their lives full of courage, hope and dignity.It takes courage to be a refugee; it takes courage to start a new life against daunting odds, eventually to become contributing and enriching members of society once more.

Director of Bureau for Asia & Pacific Ms. Janet Lim and Regional Representative for China Mr. Michel Gabaudan attended the opening of the exhibition.Consul Generals, Government officials from Hong Kong, Mainland China and Macau, representatives of civil society and corporate sector showed their appreciation and interest for the event.

A refugee from Liberia shared his life story: escape from persecution, loss of home and friends, anxiety and uncertainty over the future, joy and regained confidence for future, worries of how to rebuild his life in a completely new environment.

Special acknowledgement was extended by UNHCR to HKSAR Government, Macao SAR, the Government of People’s Republic of China, Mr. Oschetti, the photographer, Caritas Hong Kong, ColorSix (photo printing sponsor), Sina.Com (media sponsor) and other supporters and volunteers, who sponsored and helped the organization of the exhibition.