Malta Marks World Refugee Day with Conference on Courage and an Annual March for Peace by Refugee week Malta Festival.

To honor people seeking sanctuary and celebrate the strength, resilience and contributions of displaced populations worldwide, the international community observes World Refugee Day annually on the 20th of June. This year, in a world increasingly shaped by displacement and division, Malta hosted two significant events - as part of  Refugee Week Malta Festival - that created a space for reflection, dialogue and collective action. These gatherings organised by Dance Beyond Borders called upon society to come together with the courage to welcome others, stand for dignity and justice and imagine new possibilities for living together. 

Participants at the “Refugee Courage” conference. Pictures African Media Association Malta. All Rights Reserved

The event began with the “Il-Qlubija tar-Rifugjati - Refugee Courage” conference, which  brought together community members, advocates, artists and cultural voices to explore themes of resilience, solidarity and belonging. 

The conference featured in-depth discussions divided into two main panels. The first session, titled “The Courage to Begin Again”, highlighted personal journeys of rebuilding life from scratch. It featured powerful insights from the fields of entrepreneurship and youth advocacy, alongside individuals sharing their lived refugee experiences.

Following a Q&A segment, the focus shifted to the second panel, “The Courage to Stand Together”. This segment centered on civic engagement, community action and representation, drawing together a diverse group of activists, artists, journalists, and local community stakeholders. 

The panelists of  “The Courage to Begin Again”. Pictures African Media Association Malta. All Rights Reserved

The panellists of “The Courage to Stand Together”. Pictures African Media Association Malta. All Rights Reserved

Following the conference, the day drew to a close with a public demonstration of solidarity, the “March for Peace”. Organised by Dance Beyond Borders, this annual march through the streets of Valletta invited participants to view peace as a daily practice rather than a distant ideal. 

Several speakers shared their stories of courage, resilience and hope. The march provided an opportunity for everyone to come together across their differences, to listen to one another and to reaffirm a shared commitment to building welcoming and inclusive communities.

Testimonies of Refugees At the March for Peace. Pictures African media association Malta. All rights reserved.