June 10, 2026
From 14–20 June, churches, community groups and organisations across Australia will mark Refugee Week 2026, an opportunity to celebrate the courage, resilience and contributions of people who have sought safety and a new beginning in this country. This year’s theme, “A Million Stories”, marks a significant milestone: since 1947, Australia has issued one million permanent humanitarian visas to people fleeing war, persecution and violence.
Behind that milestone are one million unique stories of hope, loss, courage and renewal. Refugee Week invites Australians to reflect on these stories and recognise how they have helped shape the diverse and vibrant communities we share today. The Refugee Council of Australia describes the theme as an opportunity to celebrate not only a remarkable legacy of welcome but also the generations of families and communities whose lives have been transformed through refuge and resettlement.
For the Uniting Church in Australia, Refugee Week is more than a celebration; it is a call to discipleship. Throughout Scripture, God’s people are reminded to welcome the stranger, care for the vulnerable and uphold the dignity of every person. These values continue to underpin the Church’s advocacy for refugees and people seeking asylum.
The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) encourages churches to use Refugee Week as a time to celebrate stories of welcome, learn about the experiences of refugees and renew efforts to advocate for justice. This year, the NCCA and its Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce are also highlighting the ongoing need to support people who remain in uncertainty while awaiting permanent protection and settlement outcomes.
A reflection by Rev David Busch, a Uniting Church minister in the Queensland Synod, reminds Christians that refugees are not defined by their displacement but by their humanity, gifts and God-given dignity. He challenges the Church to move beyond statistics and political debates to encounter people as neighbours, friends and fellow members of God’s family. In doing so, communities of faith become places of belonging, healing and hope.
Across Australia, Uniting Church congregations have long been involved in supporting refugees through practical assistance, friendship, advocacy and community sponsorship. These acts of welcome reflect the Church’s commitment to a vision of justice where all people can live with safety, dignity and opportunity.
As Refugee Week is observed alongside World Refugee Day on 20 June, Uniting Church communities are invited to listen deeply to the stories of those who have sought refuge, to celebrate the richness they bring to our nation and to continue working for a more compassionate and inclusive Australia.
In a world where millions remain displaced, Refugee Week reminds us that every story matters. Together, those stories form part of our shared story – a story shaped by welcome, strengthened by diversity and sustained by hope.
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