Toronto – Earlier this week, War Child Canada and Oxfam Canada held an inspiring celebration, the Festival of Hope, to mark World Refugee Day. The free public event at Yonge-Dundas Square was uplifting, filled with music, stories of resilience and hope, and a focus on the critical importance of refugee education.
The event showcased a dynamic lineup of performers, including Brynn Albanese, Ensemble Topaz, UNA, Amanie Illfated, Waleed Kush Afro-Jazz, TRIBZ, and the Robi Botos Band. Renowned television personality Rick Campanelli served as the emcee, and DJ Flowmaster will provided additional music. Attendees enjoyed a variety of multicultural food vendors featuring cuisines from Africa to the Middle East and beyond, all contributing to an event dedicated to addressing a global crisis.
“War and climate change are displacing unprecedented numbers of people from their homes. More than 100 million, the highest since World War II, are grappling with the aftermath as refugees and internally displaced living in extreme hardship and poverty. As one of the largest global providers of refugee education, we see firsthand the extraordinary impact that the generosity of individuals can have on the lives of refugee children and youth,” says Dr. Samantha Nutt, Founder and President of War Child Canada. “World Refugee Day asks us to consider not just the scale of the problem, but the opportunities to address it.”
“Forced displacement disrupts lives, especially for children, who are overrepresented as refugees. This event honours the resilience and courage of those who have been forced to flee their homes and celebrates Canadians’ legacy of welcoming refugees and supporting initiatives to empower displaced children and youth to rebuild their lives wherever they go, like Oxfam Canada’s and War Child Canada’s Geared for Success project,” said spokesperson Gabriela Cervantes.