John,

As of today, nearly 90 million people around the world have had to flee their homes due to violence, persecution, and disaster. 27 million of these are refugees, defined as one who has experienced or has a well-founded fear of persecution on the basis of their race, religion, nationality, or political stance. About 41% of refugees are children, under the age of 18.

It has been estimated that approximately 1 in every 75 people in the world has been forced to flee their homes at some time. In addition, millions of people have no state citizenship, which leaves them without basic rights including health care, education, employment, and the ability to move within and between countries.

With such huge numbers, multiple states, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and donors need to work together cooperatively to meet the needs. This is the purpose of the Global Refugee Forum, held once every four years. The next Forum, co-convened by Colombia, France, Japan, Jordan, Niger and Uganda, will be held in Switzerland this December.

Sign the petition to stand with people who are forced to flee, and take action to safeguard their rights and to give them hope and protection.

The purpose of the Global Refugee Forum is to address the four objectives identified in the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). These four objectives are: 1) to ease the pressures on host countries; 2) to increase the self-reliance of refugees; 3) to develop further “third-country” solutions, moving beyond the immediate neighboring countries; and 4) to create conditions in the refugees’ original countries to enable them to return safely.

To address these four objectives, the Forum provides a means for states and NGOs to make pledges, including multi-stakeholder pledges; take stock of progress; and learn to meet upcoming challenges.

Pledging refers to commitments by various entities to address financial, material, and technical assistance to refugees; to provide places for resettlement; and to make arrangements for pathways to third countries.

The UN Refugee Agency, known as the UNHCR, will deliver your signature on this petition to world leaders at the Global Refugee Forum to show your support for their global efforts.

Thank you for showing your compassion and humanity for the world’s displaced people.

- Amanda

Amanda Ford, Director
Democracy for America
Advocacy Fund