On the occasion of the June 20 (World Refugee Day), the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization (EHO) organized an event on June 14, 2024 at the house of the "Dom onladine"  in Belgrade, with the support of the Embassy of Romania in the Republic of Serbia and the Delegation of the European Union in Serbia.

The event called "People in motion: Music, dance and performance activities in reception centers in Serbia" brought together numerous representatives of the diplomatic corps, ambassadors, institutions, civil society organizations and distinguished guests.

The opening of the event began with words of welcome and thanks to the attendees, which were addressed by moderator Milisav Milinković. It was pointed out that the event is dedicated to the creativity and resilience of refugees, asylum seekers and people on the move.

Those present were addressed by:

•  Her Eminence E. Silvia Davidoiu, Ambassador of Romania to Serbia, who reminded of the importance of supporting refugees and creating dialogue in the community.
•  Soufiane Adjali, representative of UNHCR in the Republic of Serbia, who emphasized the role of UNHCR in protecting and supporting refugees and the importance of the cooperation of all actors.
•  Milan Đokić, regional coordinator of the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia, who spoke about the importance of the Government of Serbia's support to all refugees, asylum seekers and people on the move.
•  Anna Brtka Valent, director of the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization (EHO), who presented programs and support measures for refugees implemented by EHO on the territory of Serbia

The program also included a video projection on the impact of art-occupation workshops in reception centers in Vojvodina, an interactive performance and the exhibition "GAME" where works created in reception centers in Subotica, Šid and Sombor during the period 2022-2023 were exhibited, within the EHO project "Protection support and humanitarian aid to people on the move'', financed by HEKS/EPER from Switzerland, but also by part of the refugees and asylum seekers who found new homes in Belgrade.

Following this year's theme "Hope far from home" on the occasion of World Refugee Day 2024, "GAME - the exhibition presents a multimedia and multidisciplinary display of versatile creativity, perseverance and courage of refugees, asylum seekers and people on the move.

We remind you that today we reached the number of 117.3 million people around the world who were forcibly displaced at the end of 2023 as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events that seriously disrupt public order.

As part of the event, a panel discussion was organized that focused on the challenges and advantages of working with refugees, asylum seekers and people on the move through art therapy programs, as well as other support services in Serbia.

The participants of the panel were the leaders of the art occupation workshops: Aleksandra Mirimanov, Ana Ilić Panjković and Tatjana Marticki, the regional coordinator of the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia - Milan Đokić and the deputy representative of the UNHCR in Serbia - Stefanie Krause.

Milan Đokić spoke about the impact of the art-occupational therapy program on refugees in the reception centers and their benefits for individuals and the institution, and emphasized the importance of the cooperation of all actors. Stefanie Krause highlighted UNHCR's support programs, integration and key challenges faced by asylum seekers and refugees who have decided to stay in Serbia.

The event provided a platform for dialogue, sharing experiences and stories, and highlighted the transformative potential of creative expression in building resilience, empathy and hope for refugees, asylum seekers and people on the move.