Building Awareness
The External Relations Unit undertakes initiatives, events and media engagement aimed at promoting integration and raising awareness of the issues affecting all those who come under UNHCR's Mandate.
The unit also regularly liaises with refugees and asylum seekers as well as NGO’s and organizations involved in the asylum process and the field of integration to understand and respond to the concerns expressed by the people with whom they work in the community.
Media Relations
UNHCR Ireland maintains a dialogue with the Irish media, including broadcast, broadsheet, tabloid and magazines. UNHCR’s media outreach work covers issues not only of relevance to asylum seekers and refugees in Ireland, but also profiles international issues and work done by UNHCR in more than 123 countries worldwide. We supply the media with accurate and reliable information coupled with our unique insight based on our refugee protection mandate and role as one of the world’s leading humanitarian agencies.
For any media queries please contact Yolanda Kennedy on 01/6314614 or on kennedy@unhcr.org
If you would like to consult our code of conduct please view Reporting on Refugees - Guidance by and from Journalists.
UNHCR Events
Every year, UNHCR holds several special events to raise awareness about the lives of refugees and those who are dedicated to helping them. Our events include:
World Refugee Day
First marked in 2001, World Refugee Day is held every year on June 20. Tens of thousands of people around the world take time to recognise the experience and contribution of forcibly displaced people throughout the world. The annual commemoration is marked by a variety of events in more than 100 countries worldwide, involving government officials, humanitarian aid workers, celebrities, civilians and the forcibly displaced themselves.
Click here to see how we are marking World Refugee Day in 2011.
60th Anniversary of UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
UNHCR will soon mark the 60th anniversary of both the organisation and the adoption of the UN Convention Relating to Refugees. Events are planned around the world to highlight issues affecting refugees, IDP’s and stateless people.
Click here to find out about UNHCR Ireland’s plan for this very significant anniversary.
Electric Picnic
This annual music festival brings together a wealth of musical talent, comedy and bohemian living. Since 2009 UNHCR took part, with a view to passing on the organisation’s message to festival-goers.
Click here to find out about how UNHCR Ireland played our part at EP 2010.
Africa Day
Since 2008, Africa Day has been held in both Dublin and Limerick simultaneously to recognise and celebrate African culture within Ireland. Every May, the two cities host an event which features a rich variety of culture, heritage, music, dance and food from across the African continent. NGOs and other organisations also have an opportunity to raise awareness around particular issues within Africa, such as the plight of refugees and internally displaced people.
Click here to see how we celebrated Africa Day in 2010.
Education
We supply a wide range of educational resources for all ages. These are available on request and include posters, lesson plans, videos and DVDs. Key facts booklets and magazines for young people are also available, all aimed at providing information on the reality of life as a refugee, asylum seeker, internally displaced person or stateless person. UNHCR staff often give talks and presentations to university students on a variety of issues. Please contact the External relations unit for more information.
Social Media
UNHCR Ireland has actively embraced online social networking sites and regards them as an important resource for connecting with a wider audience in Ireland. We are on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. We welcome people sharing their stories, asking questions, and hope these platforms offer you the opportunity to receive news and notices about UNHCR Ireland's latest campaigns and activities.
Facebook - Be a friend of UNHCR Ireland here
Twitter – Follow our tweets here
You Tube - Watch the latest UNHCR videos