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IRC monthly update
June 2021
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Illustrating courage.
For World Refugee Day this year, artist, activist and Syrian refugee Diala Brisly worked with the International Rescue Committee to create an illustration inspired by the phrase “Refugees are courageous.” Hear from Diala on how her past influences her art, her perspective on art therapy and what the word "courage" means to her.
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Illustrating courage
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Every World Refugee Day, we celebrate the contributions of refugees around the world.

This year, we were proud to honor the courage of refugee artists who use their creativity to connect and heal-bringing people closer together. Through their painting, their dance and their song, these inspiring artists open a door into their world and show us who they are beyond the label of refugee.

Artist and activist Diala Brisly created an illustration that makes the statement, “Refugees are courageous” to kick off the week. Forced to flee Syria in 2013, Diala now lives in France and runs art therapy workshops for children impacted by war.
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Here's what Diala had to say about the project:

"For me, courage is having fears, having all this worry, having all this trauma, and still having the energy to keep going.

I'm really happy to be part of the IRC's World Refugee Day campaign this year. The slogan is 'Refugees are courageous.' I really like the slogan because it shows strength, regardless of all the troubles that we are going through.

Being strong doesn't mean not being vulnerable. It's being vulnerable, but not letting it stop you from going on. This is courage."

Learn more about Diala's story
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PS: Diala was not the only refugee artist we featured last week. Explore the stories of our three other featured artists below or check out our hashtag #RefugeesAreCourageous.
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Meet the artists

"My life depended on painting."
Muyambo Marcel Chishimba is a painter and refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He recently resettled in New Jersey and is rebuilding his art career. "If someone says my work is bad, I am happy," he told us. "You know why? Because I push myself to do better." Meet Chishimba.
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"My past is in my music."
Palestinian-born Canadian rapper, songwriter and record producer Belly moved from Jordan to Canada when he was seven years old. Today, he's worked on countless hits and received many accolades for his work. "My past is in my music... ." he told us. "I think finding the courage to be myself had to come through music and writing." Meet Belly.
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"Courage is not being afraid to fail."
Prima ballerina Christine Shevchenko had to leave her native Ukraine with her family when she was six years old. She is now a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre. "I live in New York City, which is full of immigrants and refugees," she said. "There's so much to learn about so many different human beings who come from all over, creative, smart minds-they're bringing something special from another country that will help to create better and greater things here." Meet Christine.
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One thing you can do

Tell President Biden to welcome refugees
There are more than 82 million people displaced around the world and for many, going home isn't an option. Urge President Joe Biden to raise the refugee admissions goal to 125,000 next year. Refugees can't wait.
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IRC in the news

Americans support refugees
An IRC poll revealed that a majority of Americans support resettling at least 95,000 refugees a year. Find our more in Forbes.
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