Move the Barrier: June 20: World Refugee Day Highlights Solidarity, April 11 Proposes Safe ePay Day

The Citizen Advocate Summary: Declaring April 11 as Safe ePay Day

Proposing April 11 as Safe ePay Day to mark UPI’s pilot launch on April 11, 2016, by NPCI with 21 banks, initiated by Dr. Raghuram G. Rajan in Mumbai. This initiative celebrates UPI’s seamless integration of banking and merchant payments.

June 20 – Appeal No 31

April 11 – Declare ‘Safe ePay Day’, Yes, April 11 is vacant in the UN Observance Day calendar.

UPI 10^th Birthday -April 11 2026 – 295 Days to go

World Refugee Day, observed on June 20 by the United Nations, honors the resilience and courage of millions of refugees worldwide. Established in 2001, it raises awareness of the challenges faced by those forcibly displaced due to conflict, persecution, or violence. The day promotes solidarity, advocating for refugees' rights, safety, and inclusion in host communities.

Each year, a theme highlights specific issues, fostering global action and empathy.

June 20: World Refugee Day’s Message of Hope, April 11’s Safe ePay Day Initiative

Honoring Resilience and Advocating for Security

🌍 Introduction

On June 20, 2025, the global community observes World Refugee Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the resilience and courage of millions of refugees displaced by conflict, persecution, or violence.

This year’s theme, "Solidarity with Refugees," encourages meaningful actions to support those who have been uprooted from their homes.

Alongside this, the proposal to declare April 11 as Safe ePay Day highlights the importance of secure digital payments worldwide, inspired by the launch of a transformative digital payment system.

Together, these observances emphasize human dignity and technological security in an interconnected world.

World Refugee Day: A Beacon of Hope and Solidarity

🗓️ What is World Refugee Day?

World Refugee Day began on June 20, 2001, marking the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, established by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

This convention defines a refugee as someone fleeing persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, ensuring their rights to safety and opportunity.

The day raises awareness, celebrates refugees’ contributions, and fosters global support.

Theme for 2025: Solidarity with Refugees

The 2025 theme, "Solidarity with Refugees," urges action over mere sympathy. The UNHCR highlights four principles:

Action Over Words: Tangible support through funding or volunteering.
Amplifying Voices: Providing platforms for refugees to share their stories.
Defending Rights: Advocating for safety and solutions like resettlement.
Fostering Inclusion: Building welcoming communities for refugees.

With 122.6 million people forcibly displaced by mid-2024, collective responsibility is more urgent than ever.

Global Displacement Statistics

According to the UNHCR’s Mid-Year Trends 2024 report, displacement rose from 117.3 million in 2023 to 122.6 million by mid-2024.

Here’s a breakdown:

Category	Number (Mid-2024)
Forcibly Displaced People	122.6 million
Refugees (UNHCR Mandate)	32 million
Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)	6 million
Internally Displaced People	72.1 million
Asylum Seekers	8 million

Protracted conflicts and violence drive this crisis, with 75% of refugees hosted in low- and middle-income regions, and 20% in the Least Developed Countries, underscoring the need for equitable support.

The Human Impact: Stories of Resilience

Personal stories reveal the crisis’s depth. A young refugee, having fled conflict, founded a nonprofit to empower displaced women through education. In another case, a teacher in a refugee camp set up informal schools, ensuring children’s learning continues. These examples show refugees as survivors and contributors.

Challenges Faced by Refugees

Refugees face significant hurdles:

Legal Barriers: Lack of documentation limits access to jobs or services.
Health and Education Gaps: Over 47 million displaced children lack schooling or healthcare.
Mental Health Struggles: Trauma often goes unaddressed due to scarce resources.
Integration Challenges: Resource strains in host communities can create tensions.

Solutions like job permits or language programs in some regions show how policy can help.

The Role of Global Actors

The UNHCR and governments coordinate aid, advocate for protections, and facilitate resettlement. In 2023, the UNHCR aided over 20 million with essentials like shelter and healthcare, while private sponsorships have resettled thousands, inspiring broader action.

Significance and Advocacy

World Refugee Day is a call to action. The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes health as a universal right, while Refugee Week (June 16–22, 2025), themed "Community as a Superpower," uses events and hashtags like #RefugeeWeek to amplify the message.

Call to Action

You can help – Of course, it’s up to you, you have to decide, yes you can decide.

Donate: Support UNHCR or NGOs for essentials like water and medical supplies.
Raise Awareness: Share refugee stories to humanize the crisis.
Advocate: Push for policies improving resettlement or education access.

Safe ePay Day: Securing the Future of Digital Payments

💳 Introduction to Safe ePay Day

Proposed for April 11, Safe ePay Day celebrates a transformative digital payment system’s launch, promoting secure, inclusive transactions globally.

Why April 11?

This system’s debut enabled instant payments via mobile apps and QR codes, processing 172 billion transactions in 2024. Its success highlights technology’s role in financial access.

The Global Impact

Adopted widely, this system’s low-cost, interoperable model offers a blueprint for digital finance, especially in developing regions.

Cybersecurity: A Growing Imperative

With rising cyber threats in 2024, Safe ePay Day emphasizes:

Two-factor authentication for security.
Regular app updates to fix vulnerabilities.
Caution with unsolicited requests.

Advocacy for Global Recognition

Safe ePay Day aims to:

Celebrate Innovation: Highlight digital payment accessibility.
Enhance Security: Promote safe habits like biometric checks.
Inspire Adoption: Encourage global use through awareness.

A future with secure digital payments for all is within reach.

Conclusion

World Refugee Day on June 20, 2025, and the proposed Safe ePay Day on April 11 unite dignity and security. They call us to support refugees and advance a safer digital world. 🌍💳

## Call to Action

I urge governments, financial institutions, businesses, and communities worldwide to join hands in declaring April 11 as **Safe ePay Day**.

Let’s celebrate UPI’s milestone by making **Safe ePay Day** a global movement for secure, innovative fintech.

Together, we can build a future where financial access is universal, and every e-payment is safe—starting with **Safe ePay Day** in 2026.

No Vada Pav, not even one bite,
Till SafeePay Day takes off in flight.
Quirky vow with a Mumbai flair—
Announce the date, and I’ll be there!

Disclaimer: - The only Joy is Safe ePayments. Nothing More – Nothing Less.

April 11 – Declare ‘Safe ePay Day’.

· Key Citations:

· UNHCR 1951 Refugee Convention

· UN World Refugee Day Observance

· UNHCR Mid-Year Trends Report 2024

· UNHCR Global Trends Report