Grace Initiative Global is organizing a discussion on World Refugee Day, which is
an occasion to build understanding and empathy for refugees’ plight and to
recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.

Speakers representing: UN Women, Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees, and
the Permanent Mission of Algeria to the UN. Opening the Discussion: State
Representative Seth Bongartz. Moderating: Executive Director for Grace
Initiative Global, Yvonne Lodico. Closing Remarks: Executive Director, The
Manchester Community Library, Ed Surjan.

Although refugees flee because of real dangers to their lives, where their
experiences in their home countries of a secure future is laden with perilous
challenges including criminality, discrimination, gender-based violence,
environmental threats, and exclusion. In addition, some refugees risk falling
prey to human trafficking and other forms of exploitation. The plight of refugees
is not over even when they reach safe borders refugees may face daily racism,
xenophobia, and discrimination. Some refugees even end up isolated and
displaced for decades. To this end, we are holding a discussion on World
Refugee Day to reflect on the perils and challenges refugees face, and to discern
strategies for security, objectivity, and a path for self-sufficiency.