HOW TO: Celebrate World Refugee Day

Christie Marchese runs marketing and social action strategy for Righteous Pictures, a film and new media production company that uses storytelling to foster social change. Connect with her on Twitter
@ChristieM

June 20 is World Refugee Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the millions of refugees that have been displaced around the world. Genocide prevention and refugee resettlement groups are commemorating this day in many ways. Unfortunately, like most non-profits, these groups are on a tight budget.

Check out the innovative ways they are employing free online tools and social media to take action on World Refugee Day.

Get To Know Refugees in Your Community

There are more than 8 million refugees displaced around the world, and it’s more than likely you are neighbors with some of them. This World Refugee Day, get out of your comfort bubble and meet these brave individuals. A coalition of organizations have come together to put up all of their refugee meetup events ? which include picnics, plays, potlucks, screenings and parades ? online at
WorldRefugeeDay2011.com for anyone to attend. By using the MeetUp Everywhere tool, anyone can find an event or add their own.

Watch a Film Online

Watch more free documentaries

Not everyone has time to attend an event, but most everyone has time for a good movie. SnagFilms has some free films online that not only educate viewers about injustices and genocide prevention efforts, but also help them understand the life of a refugee. The Last Survivor was released last week on SnagFIlms in time for World Refugee Day and you can view it
here.

[Disclosure: The author works with SnagFilms]

Support Genocide Prevention Legislation

For those of you who are all about online petitions and storming Capitol Hill, join Save Darfur Coalition and Genocide Intervention Network in supporting genocide prevention legislation. You can sign the petition
here.

Check into Action

Non-profits are learning from tools like
Foursquare and Shopkick, which offer rewards for checking in.
Welcoming America has launched its own take focused around making communities more welcoming. The site offers points, badges and eventually prize money for actions to include newcomers like local refugees.

The Enough Project and Darfur Sister Schools have launched a similar program called the
Summer Service Challenge for students to earn badges by helping Darfuri children get a better education. Users can then share their progress online with friends and family.

Text to Donate

Mapendo International assists the most at-risk refugees who have fallen through the cracks in finding safety. You can support their efforts to help thousands of women and children from Darfur, the Congo and Somalia by texting RESCUE to 90999 and donating $5. Every $500 can help rescue one person.

Give a Minute

Causes on Facebook has helped raise money for many non-profits. The site recently upped its game by allowing you to “donate” money without spending a dime. By engaging with a short commercial, the advertised brand will make a donation to a non-profit. Help out
Refugees International by donating a minute of your time on Causes.

And lastly ?

Listen to Angelina Jolie

When Angelina tells you to do something, you listen. Watch the video she recorded for the UN Refugee Agency (
UNHCR) campaign, ?Do 1 Thing.? You can follow her lead by doing at least one thing today to help the millions of refugees around the world.

We’ve listed a bunch of good resources, but there are many more out there. Let us know in the comments how you’ll be participating in World Refugee Day 2011.

HOW TO: Celebrate World Refugee Day