Special Campaign for World Refugee Day 'If I Were You' to be Held from June 9 (Tue) to July 31 (Fri), 2026

The specified nonprofit organization Japan Association for UNHCR (Minato-ku, Tokyo) will hold a campaign 'If I Were You' to expand imagination and empathy for refugees in conjunction with World Refugee Day on June 20.

Campaign page: https://www.japanforunhcr.org/appeal/wrd-charity-screening-2026

■ Campaign Overview

Currently, more than 100 million people worldwide have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, and other reasons. World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the UN to think of those facing such hardships and raise interest in refugee support.

This campaign calls for starting support from imagining the reality of each refugee through three actions: 'Watch a movie,' 'Listen to a webinar,' and 'Share with someone on SNS.' The campaign aims to create a chain reaction from each individual's participation, connecting to the next person.

① [Watch a Movie] Charity Screening

Comedy drama / 2024 / 101 min / French (English and Japanese subtitles)

Film: 'The Barbarian Rhapsody'

French film 'The Barbarian Rhapsody,' which was the most acclaimed at the 20th Refugee Film Festival 2025. Directed, scripted, and starring Julie Delpy, known for the film 'Before Sunrise.'

The story begins when a Syrian refugee family unexpectedly arrives at a small French village preparing to accept Ukrainian refugees. This film humorously depicts the true feelings and prejudices hidden behind goodwill, allowing viewers to naturally experience both refugee and host society perspectives while enjoying.

1) Online Screening

Streaming period: June 9 (Tue), 2026 10:00 – July 31 (Fri) 23:55

Participation fee: Choose between donation-included viewing (any amount) or free viewing

Application deadline: July 31 (Fri), 2026 22:00

2) Theater Screening: Refugee Film Festival Partners Screening

During the campaign period, a screening of 'The Barbarian Rhapsody' by Refugee Film Festival Partners (Bunkyo-ku) will be held in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo. (June 30, 18:30, Bunkyo Civic Hall Small Hall) *Please check the official page for details.

World Refugee Day Special Project: Recruiting host organizations for Refugee Film Festival Partners screenings! (Limited to 5 organizations)

~Would you like to deliver the stories of each refugee to your local community and colleagues through film?~

The Japan Association for UNHCR is recruiting host organizations for screenings of 'Refugee Film Festival Partners' to expand empathy and support for refugee issues through film screenings on World Refugee Day (limited to 5 organizations). The association will fully cover the screening fee normally borne by the organizer. Any organization or group interested in refugee issues, such as local communities, schools, workplaces, or communities, can apply.

② [Listen to a Webinar] World Refugee Day Special Webinar

'Connecting with Refugees and the World – UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador MIYAVI Jordan Visit Report'

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador MIYAVI visited Jordan in May this year, a country that has accepted many refugees, including Syrians. In the capital Amman, he listened to the voices of refugee families living in urban areas and held music sessions with musicians from various countries. At the Za'atari refugee camp, home to about 50,000 Syrian refugees, he visited community centers and medical facilities operated with Japanese support and interacted with children through music and soccer. The lives, thoughts, and hopes for the future of each refugee, which are difficult to convey through news and statistics alone. MIYAVI will share what he saw, heard, and felt on the ground. Guest: Creative director Aisako Tsuji, who visited refugee camps in Bangladesh in 2022.

Date and time: June 20 (Sat), 2026 17:00 – 18:00

Performers: UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador MIYAVI, Guest: Aisako Tsuji, Moderator: UNHCR Supporter Kiyoko Takemura (titles omitted)

Organizers: UNHCR Representation in Japan / Japan Association for UNHCR

Participation: Free, registration required, live stream on the Japan Association for UNHCR official YouTube channel

Message from MIYAVI

'Music can cross borders and language barriers——'

In Jordan, I met people who, despite difficult circumstances, look to the future and live with determination. I want to share with you on World Refugee Day the connections I felt through music and soccer, and what I saw, heard, and felt on the ground. Let's meet online.

③ [Share with Someone on SNS] Post and Share on SNS

How about sharing what you felt from the movie, what you heard in the webinar, with family, friends, or colleagues? This campaign calls for posting on SNS with hashtags #ImagineFromNowOn and #WorldRefugeeDay. Someone who receives your words will start imagining the next 'If' - we aim for such a chain of imagination.

■ What is UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)?

UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, protects and supports refugees, internally displaced persons, and stateless persons in collaboration with diverse partners, operating in about 130 countries worldwide. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1954 and 1981. Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. https://www.unhcr.org/jp/

■ What is the Japan Association for UNHCR?

The Japan Association for UNHCR was established in 2000 as the official support window for UNHCR in Japan. In cooperation with the UNHCR Representation in Japan, it conducts public relations and fundraising activities to support UNHCR's operations. It is a certified NPO that can issue receipts for tax deductions for your donations. https://www.japanforunhcr.org/