WTS Boston's DEI in Motion: World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day: Honoring Strength, Resilience, and Hope
Observed annually on June 20, World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe. This day focuses on the rights, needs, and dreams of those forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters. It also serves as a call to action - encouraging global responsibility and support for the millions of displaced people worldwide [1].
Refugees frequently find themselves amid crisis and uncertainty, yet they carry forward remarkable strength, resilience, and talent. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are over 36 million refugees globally, with women and children making up about half of that population.[2] Despite unimaginable challenges, refugees contribute meaningfully to their new communities—bringing diverse perspectives, skills, and cultures that enrich the societies they now reside in.
This year, the UN’s theme for World Refugee Day is “Community as a Superpower.” This theme highlights the vital role that connection, solidarity, and support play in helping refugees rebuild their lives. For those working in transportation, planning, and engineering, it’s a reminder that the systems we design can either open doors or reinforce barriers. Inclusive infrastructure—especially equitable transit access—can serve as a foundation for belonging, opportunity, and mobility for those displaced by conflict or crisis.
As we reflect on World Refugee Day, it's important to consider how our work in transportation and infrastructure can support those rebuilding their lives in new places. Equitable access to transit, housing, and public resources can offer stability, mobility, and a sense of belonging—fundamental building blocks for people who have been displaced.
Standing with refugees means recognizing their strength and supporting their journey toward a new home and together, we can help build communities where everyone belongs.
Resources:
UNHCR: World Refugee Day – https://www.unhcr.org/world-refugee-day.html
Refugee Council USA – https://rcusa.org/
Boston Center for Refugee Health & Human Rights – https://www.bmc.org/centers/boston-center-refugee-health-human-rights
Welcoming America – https://www.welcomingamerica.org/