World Refugee Day 2016: Solidarity, Soccer, and Song

: Hundreds gathered in Milwaukee’s Pere Marquette Park to celebrate World Refugee Day 2016

: “This Land Is Your Land” performed by International Learning Center veteran Ryan Webster

: Al Durtka of International Institute of Wisconsin with Mette Brogden of WI Department of Children and Families, and Fessahaye Mebrahtu of Pan African Community Assocaition

: Keynote speaker Dr. Tarif Bakdash on the number of refugees from Syria placed in Milwaukee

: Nicole Ndanda spoke powerfully about her experiences as a refugee

: Being here

: Mayor Tom Barrett

: Fessahaye Mebrahtu, PACA

: Rep. Daniel Riemer

: Music from Saw Wee & Co.

: Refugees from Karen State, Burma, take the stage in song

: Sampling Irai pastries, and Mohinga, traditional Burmese soup

: Jeff Martinka, Neighborhood House Executive Director

: Families and friends

: African rumming

: Dance Academy of Mexico

: Taking it in

: Cynthia Zarazua of International Learning Center

: Anwar leads the dance.

: One of the youngest refugees in attendance.

: Soccer Tournament finale

: South Stadium, Milwaukee

: Player

: Drumming all night long

: Something to cheer about

: Brotherhood

: Celebration

: Tournament organizer Patrick Rich of International Learning Center presents the trophy

: Victory

: Pride

: And next year?

Milwaukee joined the international humanitarian community in recognizing World Refugee Day 2016 at Pere Marquette Park. Highlights included cultural performances, ethnic food, keynote speakers from Syria, Congo, Burma, and the US, followed by a championship match between top refugee soccer teams.

Wisconsin Department of Children & Families sponsored the event Milwaukee World Refugee Day 2016, in partnership with Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, UMOS, International Institute of Wisconsin, Lutheran Social Services, andCatholic Charities.

“Milwaukee has a rich history of welcoming newcomers, and Neighborhood House is proud to be part of that tradition by co-sponsoring an event that celebrates our common humanity,” says Neighborhood House Executive Director Jeff Martinka. “World Refugee Day acknowledges the contributions and resilience of those among us who are rebuilding their lives here after fleeing violence in other countries.” Neighborhood House International Learning Center Instructors Eric Howald and Patrick Rich took the lead in organizing this year’s event and soccer tournament. Photos shown here are courtesy of ILC volunteer David Lauersdorf.

Speakers included Mayor Tom Barrett, Rep. Daniel Riemer, and State Refugee Coordinator Mette Brogden. Dr. Tarif Bakdash, author of recently published memoir, spoke about the current refugee crisis in Syria, and Nicole Ndanda spoke powerfully about her experiences as a refugee in Africa. Performers included refugees from African drumming, singers from Karen State, Dance Academy of Mexico / Academia de Danza Mexico .

Team One World took the trophy in the World Refugee Day Soccer Tournament’s final championship match at South Stadium. As soccer enthusiast Michael Da Silva, an immigrant from Nigeria reflected, “All this war and everything that is going on in the world now – this is a way for everyone to come together, because we just forget about our differences and just put it aside and be one, at least for 90 minutes.”

Press Coverage of Milwaukee’s 2016 World Refugee Day includes: