28 July 2026
75 Years of the 1951 Refugee Convention: Reaffirming CAN DO’s commitment to inclusion and support
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Adopted in 1951 in the aftermath of the Second World War, the Refugee Convention established the legal foundation for protecting refugees and the principle that people fleeing persecution should not be returned to danger.
“Christ himself had to flee as a child because his life was in danger, and scripture reminds us that we all walk this earth as foreigners and strangers,” says Eric Leichner, ADRA Australia Emergency Management Director. “Compassion, justice and love are not optional in our Christian faith; they are what we owe to those forced through the trauma of fleeing home, crossing borders and rebuilding a life from nothing. On this 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention, we remember that dignity should never depend on where someone was born or what papers they carry.”
As the international community marks the 75th anniversary of the Convention, the Church Agencies Network Disaster Operations (CAN DO), of which ADRA is a founding member, reaffirms the importance of reaching and supporting people who have been forced to flee their homes.
Guided by these values, churches and faith-based organisations help create communities where all refugees, regardless of background or belief, are treated with dignity, included in community life and supported to rebuild their lives in safety.
“The work does not stop,” says Chey Mattner, CAN DO Director. “Across our humanitarian efforts is a commitment to ensuring that people facing heightened risks are not left behind but are included and supported according to their specific needs. Our local partners and the churches in our network, which form part of communities facing these challenges, are key.”
CAN DO is a consortium of nine church-based humanitarian organisations supporting disaster preparedness activities and humanitarian responses globally, with the support of the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership.
To learn more about CAN DO and its global humanitarian initiatives, visit: www.cando.org.au
