World Refugee Day 2007 Message from the United Nations Secretary
General World Refugee Day 2007 NEW YORK June 20,2007 - As
humankind enjoys unprecedented mobility, with more people than
ever before changing countries and even continents in pursuit of
better opportunities, let us remember that not everyone who
leaves home does so by choice. Refugees do not leave their homes
and villages willingly. They are forced to do so by conflict or
persecution. In many cases, they are fleeing for their very
lives, trying to find safety, protection and a way to meet their
most basic needs. For tens of millions of people, exile has
brought untold hardship. Rather than an opportunity to pursue
education or employment, leaving home has meant traumatic
experiences of uncertainty, deprivation and intolerance.Compared
to the past few decades, official global refugee figures are at
low levels. But they do not take account of other groups
displaced by insecurity or political strife. Entire communities
may also seek refuge within t