2024 DSM World Refugee Day!
2024 World Refugee Day
What is World Refugee Day?
June 20th is the internationally recognized date where the world honors the journeys refugees make and celebrates the innumerable ways they make the communities they resettle into better for all. This date was determined by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, and we are honored to have organized our local events for the past 10 years. After offering virtual or smaller events the past few years due to COVID, we are so excited to be going back to our large in-person event again this year!
How can I celebrate World Refugee Day?
Join us on Saturday, June 22nd 12:00pm - 4:00pm at Franklin Junior High in Des Moines for an incredible cultural celebration; all are welcome and the event is 100% free! There will be cultural performances including dance, music, poetry, storytelling, fashion shows, and much more! Additionally we look forward to the return of the highly anticipated Cup of All Nations Soccer Tournament, food from local refugee/immigrant owned restaurants, community resource fair, family-friendly crafts and activities, the Refugee Resettlement Fact Walk, and a public art project! Be sure to stay tuned to our social media below for more details. We look forward to celebrating with you again this summer!
Be sure to follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/WRDDSM and Instagram for updates!
To sign up to volunteer, please use the direct link here!! We are so grateful for our volunteers!!
For other questions, please email us here.
Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors!!
Platinum Sponsors:
The Bureau of Refugee Services
Krause Group/Pro Iowa
Nyemaster Goode P.C.
Gold Sponsors:
Broadlawns Medical Center
Des Moines Area Community College
Lutheran Services in Iowa
MercyOne
Michael Foods
Silver Sponsors:
Catholic Charities
Green State Credit Union
International Rescue Committee - DSM
Loffredo
Molina Healthcare
USCRI Des Moines
United Way of Central Iowa
WellPoint Healthcare
Bronze Sponsors:
EveryStep
If you or your organization are interested in either becoming a sponsor of the event or hosting a community partner booth, we would love to hear from you by emailing us here!!
2024 Featured Local Restaurants:
***Items listed below will be free samples available while supplies last. Some vendors may also be selling additional food items.***
Be sure to continue to support these amazing local businesses!!
58 Venezuelan - Empanadas and Arepas
Bah Kunda - Jollof Rice and Jollof Couscous
Karam’s Mediterranean - Falafel and Pita
Kathmandu - Chicken Tika Masala and Momo
Mayalu Coffee - Iced Coffees and Teas
MinGaLaBar - La Pa Thoke Salad
Musa’s Lemonade - Lemonade
Najah Grocery - Sambusas
Pho T - Spring Rolls, Egg Rolls, Fried Rice
Piece and Freedom - Ukrainian Pastries
Tito’s Lounge - Sirnica and Cevapi
Previous DSM World Refugee Day Events:
Resettlement 101 Fact Walk
Get outside, fresh air, and some great exercise while learning some of the history of the modern refugee resettlement program in Iowa!! You can find this exhibit at the Colby Park Outdoor Pavilion the entire month of June in Windsor Heights! Or check out events happening at the park: Family Movie Night with “The Lorax” on Friday, 6/3, (free pizza, popcorn and drinks!!) Family Storytime on the 10th or 17th, and Night In The Heights on Tuesday the 28th. More info here.
“Let Me Be Myself” Exhibit from Anne Frank Center
This exhibition connects Anne Frank’s life story and the fate of millions of victims of the persecution of the Jews during the Second World War to present day. Through the life and legacy of Anne Frank, visitors are encouraged to consider how prejudice leads to exclusion and discrimination in our world today. Guided small group tours available, registration required here. Self-guided tours are also available during library hours. More information about the Anne Frank House can be found here.
Global Greens Farmers Market Cultural Performances
Come shop for healthy naturally grown vegetables while supporting local former refugee famers at the Global Greens Farmers Market! Open every Saturday morning at Lutheran Services in Iowa at 3200 University Avenue in Des Moines, join us June 18th and June 25th 9-11am for live performing arts from Bhutanese Community in Iowa, Karen Association in Iowa, Lao American Community in Iowa, Maban Community in Iowa, NISAA African Family Services, Sudanese Girls Dance Group, and more!!
Screening of Film “Flee”
Join us on Thursday, June 2nd, at the Des Moines Art Center for a screening of the documentary “Flee”. Winner of many recent awards, this tells the story of Amin Nawabi as he grapples with a painful secret he has kept hidden for 20 years, one that threatens to derail the life he has built for himself and his soon to be husband. Recounted mostly through animation to director Jonas Poher. You can watch the trailer here.
“Open Book” Events at Juneteenth
In partnership with CultureALL and Juneteenth, come experience the “Open Book” event and hear stories of neighbors from around the world that now call central Iowa home. Happening at the Neighbor’s Day Celebration as part of the Iowa Juneteenth Observance on Saturday, June 18th, Stay tuned for more!
Support Your Local Restaurants and Grocery Stores!
Did you know that central Iowa is home to renowned food from around the world? Use our list of local restaurants and grocery stores to get out and try new food while supporting local businesses this June!
“Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner!”
In partnership with CultureALL, join us for 3 different opportunities to experience a few of the communities who have come to call central Iowa home through resettlement program. We will try new foods, hear stories from our neighbors, and experience music and other art forms from Vietnam, Bosnia, and Bhutan. Registration for all 3 events can be found here.
World Refugee Day Art Week Celebration
In partnership with Art Week, join us on Monday, June 20th, from 6-8pm at Perkins Elementary School for an outdoor festival celebrating World Refugee Day! There will be food trucks, music, family activities, and much more! Performances from Bhutanese Community in Iowa, Genesis Youth Foundation, Karen Association in Iowa, Lao American Association in Iowa, and NISAA African Family Services. Stay tuned for more!
Get New “I Am Iowa” Merchandise!
Help support our future World Refugee Day celebrations by purchasing “I Am Iowa” merchandise! Follow the link in the header at the top of this page, 100% of proceeds goes directly to World Refugee Day funds in the future. Thank you to our partners at Raygun!
From Last Year’s 2021 DSM World Refugee Day Celebration: Meet The Storytellers
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Merrie Awm
Merrie is currently serving as an Americorps VISTA volunteer at EMBARC in Des Moines.
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Dilip Bishwo
Dilip Bishwo is the Secretary General of the Advocacy for Bhutanese Community International - ABC International, a 501[c]3 registered with the state of Iowa. He is a trained teacher from Bhutan who has worked in the capacity of Acting Headmaster in a primary school in central Bhutan besides being a resource teacher. After being evicted with 100,000 others from their generations of homes in Bhutan, he landed in a refugee camp in Nepal in early 90s. As a refugee human rights activist, he was instrumental in advocating for the repatriation of the refugees and restoration of fundamental human rights in Bhutan. As an ardent speaker, Dilip contributed through his writing skills and lobbying for Bhutanese refugees in the diplomatic missions and international dignitaries. He raised the issue of Bhutanese refugees visiting different forums in Dhaka, Bangladesh, New Delhi and Bangalore in India, Kathmandu in Nepal and Durban in South Africa besides continuously striving as Secretaries in human rights organizations in exile in Nepal. He continues to write against the atrocities in Bhutan and he is the author of a page on Human Rights and Spirituality - The Bhutan Observer, regularly published on the Facebook. Dilip lives with his family including his wife Sabitra, two sons and a daughter-in-law who have recently moved to Reynoldsburg in the state of Ohio.
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Abwe Ekumange
Abwe Ekumange came to Iowa last year from Tanzania, where he lived as a refugee displaces from The Democratic Republic of Congo. Abwe is a long-time advocate for people with disabilities, and he is the founder of a new organization, Good People of the World. He lives in Des Moines with his wife and seven children, including a new baby.
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Tijana Kudumovic
Tijana Kudumovic shares her story. It provides insight into what it’s like to transition through turmoil, upheaval, loss, and new beginnings - through the eyes of a six-year-old. Tijana now works as a manager at John Deere Financial, she serves as a Board Member with CultureALL, and she is an inductee of Women Unlimited Inc.’s LEAD leadership program.
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Mohamad Sulaiman
Mohamed founded Syrian community groups in the US, Qatar, and Turkey aimed to build solidarity amongst refugees from Syria. He previously worked as an editor and translator for Qatar Petroleum and as a teacher for 30 years. He resettled in the US in 2019 and lives with his wife.
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Yabsira Tekle
Yabsira Tekle is an incoming Junior at the University of Iowa Majoring in Human Physiology. Was born in Ethiopia and has lived in the United States since 2017.