Each June, Australians gather to celebrate Refugee Week and honour those who have found safety. It must not overlook those who remain trapped in suffering.
As Refugee Week (14 to 20 June 2026) begins across Australia, communities will gather to share meals, attend concerts, hear refugee stories and celebrate the many contributions refugees have made to Australian society – and we should.
Refugees have enriched our communities, strengthened our institutions and contributed to Australia’s social, economic and cultural life in countless ways. Their stories of resilience, courage and rebuilding deserve to be recognised and honoured.
However, if Refugee Week becomes only a celebration of successful settlement, we risk overlooking those who remain displaced, trapped and waiting. This is not another ‘Harmony Week’. The aims of Refugee Week include educating the public about who refugees are and the challenges they face, encouraging communities to provide safe and welcoming environments and inspiring action for refugees, people seeking asylum and displaced people both within Australia and around the world.
Across the world, millions of people remain in situations of extraordinary vulnerability. Families continue to flee war, genocide, persecution and violence. Others remain trapped by closed borders, lengthy bureaucratic processes and the simple absence of safe pathways. Among them are Palestinians in Gaza.
As Australians gather for Refugee Week events, Palestinians continue to endure conditions that many humanitarian organisations have described as catastrophic, unimaginable, inhumane – as shameful. Journalists continue to report under dangerous circumstances and students strive to continue their education despite repeated displacement. Parents search for food, water and safety for their children and many have nowhere to go.
Refugee Week should create space not only to celebrate those who have found refuge, but also to remember those who haven’t. This isn’t about diminishing the achievements of refugees who now call Australia home and nor is it about reducing Refugee Week to a political slogan. It’s about recognising our shared humanity and acknowledging that the refugee experience doesn’t end neatly at Australia’s borders.
For every refugee whose story is celebrated at a community event this week, there are countless others whose futures remain uncertain. What responsibility do we have towards them?
Refugee Week should invite us to ask not only how refugees have contributed to Australia, but how Australia might continue to contribute to a world in which fewer people are forced to flee and more people are able to live in safety and dignity.
It should also ask us to move beyond awareness towards action. For some, that action might mean volunteering with refugee organisations. For others, it may involve sponsorship, donations, advocacy, education or simply taking the time to listen to stories that challenge our assumptions.
Compassion is not a finite resource. We can celebrate the refugees who have rebuilt their lives in Australia and in other countries, while also showing concern to those who remain displaced by conflict, including those in places such as Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine and elsewhere.
The dream behind Refugee Week was never merely to hold annual events. It was to draw attention to the needs and aspirations of refugees and to encourage communities to respond.
As World Refugee Day approaches on the 21 June, we should ask ourselves this:
Who are the refugees we’re prepared to celebrate once they have arrived safely and who are the refugees whose suffering we are willing to see while they’re still waiting?
Refugee Week is important because it reminds us that people seeking safety aren’t statistics. They’re students, children, journalists, teachers, parents, neighbours and friends. But it shouldn’t be the only time we think about people seeking safety, it should be a catalyst – a reminder to continue the work of welcome, advocacy and solidarity throughout the year.
Meg Schwarz
Meg Schwarz holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy and brings over 35 years of experience championing social justice, advocacy and consumer engagement. Based in South Australia, Meg has dedicated her career to working alongside diverse communities, including refugees, people with disabilities and individuals with complex trauma backgrounds.With a strong passion for equality and human rights, Meg specialises in fostering meaningful communication, empowering voices through advocacy and creating inclusive spaces for dialogue. Her skills in stakeholder engagement, strategic communication and community development have earned her recognition as a trusted and compassionate leader in her field.