OTTAWA, June 4, 2012 /CNW/ - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is launching in Ottawa a public campaign to raise awareness of the life and death decisions that millions of refugees and displaced people confront in their lives when conflict erupts.
Built around the dilemma scenario "Stay and risk your lives in the conflict? Flee and risk kidnap, rape, torture or worse?" UNHCR hopes to engage the public in the National Capital Region and challenge their thinking, allowing them to step back and for a moment, consider the decision making process forced upon those who are fleeing for their lives.
"We want to compel Canadians to contemplate these same decisions and to put themselves in refugees' shoes, said Mr. Furio De Angelis, UNHCR Representative in Canada.
The campaign is part of a UNHCR global awareness campaign to mark World Refugee Day 20 June this year. An estimated 325 buses across the National Capital Region are expected to carry the interior bus advert from 4 June to 1 July 2012.
ABOUT UNHCR and World Refugee Day:
UNHCR is mandated by the United Nations to lead and coordinate international action for the worldwide protection of refugees and the resolution of refugee problems. The UN Refugee Agency, which has won two Nobel Peace Prizes, was established by the UN General Assembly in 1950 and has helped more than 50 million people over the past six decades.
www.unhcr.ca
On December 4, 2000, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution naming 20 June every year as World Refugee Day to reaffirm the values and collective efforts of all concerned groups for the protection of the world's refugees and extend to them encouragement, support and respect.
Image with caption: "UNHCR Launches the "Dilemma Campaign" on OC Transpo Transit System (CNW Group/UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120604_C5404_PHOTO_EN_14567.jpg
Gisèle Nyembwe, Public Information Associate, UNHCR Canada
Tel: (613) 986-4300 or 613-232-0909, extension 225
Share this article