Rani HCM
New Delhi: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) Office for Labour and Workers India Federation (WIF) marked the World Refugees Day with a workshop ‘the Gift of Refugees to our Community and Nation’ at CBCI Centre on June 20.
Father Fr. Jervis D’Souza, deputy secretary general of CBCI, delivered an inspiring message on the importance of the day.
More than 65.6 million people around the world have been forced from home. Among them are nearly 22.5 million refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18.
There are also 10 million stateless people who have been denied a nationality and access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment and freedom of movement; nearly 20 people are forcibly displaced every minute as a result of conflict or persecution.
Some 25 participants from different organizations participated in this workshop. The speakers were Cyril Sanju, PS, MP Vayar Ravi, Dr. Krishna Kumar, Professor Sri Venketeswara College, Dr. Mahesh Professor IGNOU, Syamkumar NORKA, Fr. Jaison Vadassery, secretary CBCI Office for Labour.
The workshop concluded with the sharing of experience of the refugees who are accompanied by Jesuit Refugee Service. It is an international NGO which serves, accompanies and advocates on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons.