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World Refugee Day – Living as a Refugee in Lebanon [Beirut, 20 June 2007] – A roundtable discussion organized to commemorate World Refugee Day Wednesday produced calls for action on durable solutions for refugees to protect them from discrimination and persecution. “This day is all about integration, not exclusion,” said Australian Ambassador Lydall Sachs, one of the participants in the roundtable. “We must all work hand in hand in order to ensure better living standards for refugees.” Participants highlighted issues that included discrimination, injustice, the challenges faced by non-ID Palestinians and the needs of Iraqi refugees living in Lebanon. The event, entitled Surviving Refugee Status: Living as a Refugee in Lebanon, was jointly sponsored by the Danish Refugee Council, Save the Children Sweden and World Vision. Participants included representatives from more than 21 international and local non-governmental organizations. Save the Children Sweden also launched their publication, Refugees in Lebanon: Palestinian children’s voices, part of a series of reports which address the issue of Palestinian Children’s Rights by the Swedish journalist and photographer Mia Grondahl. Using the voices of children the report describes their experiences as Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon, the daily violations of their rights and their frustrations, as well as their hopes and dreams for a better future. The publication is available in Arabic and English. To receive a copy contact Edith Karam with the contact details below. For further information or for more information please contact: Cassandra Mathie, Communications Officer, Danish Refugee Council Edith Karam, Regional Communications Officer, Save the Children Sweden Tel: +961 (0)1 738 654/5 or +961 (0)3 128 83 Further information
Brian Jonson, Communications Manager, World Vision Tel: +961 (0) 401 980 or +961 (0)3 521 042.
Tel: +961 70 962 856