Refugee Week began on June 20 with “Geopolitical Jam,” a vibrant cultural celebration in Brussels. The event brought together people from diverse backgrounds to share music, traditions, and feel a sense of unity.
Traditional melodies and folk songs opened the evening, setting a warm and festive tone. Music bands from Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Congo, Palestine and other countries took the stage, performing songs filled with heartfelt and supportive messages. The music resonated deeply – filling the space and the hearts of attendees with a message of peace, #solidarity, and connection.
The goal of the event was to give hashtag#migrants and hashtag#refugees a platform a chance to be seen and heard not only by #governments but also by the wider public. The message was clear: migrants deserve respect, empathy, and human dignity. They are not a burden – the true burden lies in wars and political conflicts that force people to flee their homes.
All those present emphasized that despite cultural #differences, all refugees are united by something deeply hashtag#human – the longing for #peace and the hope for a better, safer future.
The event was jointly organized by Umbrella Refugee Committee, Ukrainian Voices RC, and several other refugee-led committees, with the valued support of UNHCR Belgium
At its core, Geopolitical Jam was about amplifying refugee voices. It was a call to end war and suffering, and a plea for solidarity and concrete action from policymakers. Refugees are not only seeking shelter, they are seeking #justice, agency, and the right to be part of the global conversation.
We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who joined us at this Jam. Your presence helped transform the event into a powerful space of #expression, #dialogue, and #visibility – a space where #refugees could share their voices, their #cultures, their #Hopes, and finally be heard.
