Today is the international World Refugee Day!

Every year on 20 June, the world marks World Refugee Day. This day is dedicated to people who had to leave their homes because war, persecution, violence or unsafe living conditions made it impossible to live in security. It reminds us that fleeing is not a free choice, but often the only way to survive.

World Refugee Day matters because it makes stories visible that are often overlooked in everyday life. Behind the term people with a refugee background are people with dreams, skills, families, talents and hopes. People who do not only need support, but also the chance to arrive, contribute and become part of a new community.

This is exactly where SPORTEGRATION comes in. Through our free sports programmes, we create spaces where people can meet. On the football pitch, during yoga, running training or volleyball, it is not only about movement. It is about trust, language, orientation, friendship and a sense of belonging. Sport for people with a refugee background means more than leisure. It can provide stability, courage and connection.

Integration does not happen by itself. It needs spaces, people and commitment. It needs volunteers who give their time. It needs participants who have the courage to try something new. And it needs a society that is willing to listen, accompany and support.

On World Refugee Day, we say thank you to all people with a refugee background who are part of our community. Thank you for your energy, your openness and your trust. And we say thank you to all volunteers, partners and supporters who engage with us for integration through sport in Switzerland.

This day reminds us that every person deserves safety, respect and the opportunity to begin a new chapter. Together, we can help turn arrival into real participation.

Would you like to volunteer or support people with a refugee background through sport? Become part of SPORTEGRATION. Every encounter matters.

Note: AI was used to create this image.