Refugee Week Italy (Rome leg)

Refugee Week Italy in Rome

Refugee Week Italy is the Italian leg of the world's largest festival dedicated to art and culture, celebrating the contribution, creativity, and resilience of refugees and asylum seekers. In Italy, the festival is coordinated by UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency) and Second Tree. In 2026, it reaches its second edition: from June 15 to 21, over 25 Italian cities will host more than 70 events. Rome, the capital of the Lazio region, is a key protagonist with a program spread across institutional, university, and municipal venues.

The 2026 Theme: "Courage"

The central theme of this second edition is "Courage": the goal is to move beyond victim-centered narratives and tell the story of migration more comprehensively, recognizing refugees not just for their past or vulnerability, but for the talents and contributions they offer to their host communities. The 2026 edition coincides with the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Geneva Convention on Refugees, a symbolic milestone that finds one of its most solemn moments in Rome.

Events in the Capital

The Roman calendar weaves together the major institutional event promoted by UNHCR with cultural initiatives rooted in the local neighborhoods. The institutional heart is held at the Luiss Guido Carli Campus on Viale Pola, while in the Montesacro District (Municipio III), the festival builds community through meetings, intercultural dialogue, and a photography exhibition dedicated to the new generations raised in Rome. These are joined by initiatives from the city's reception network, including those promoted by Caritas Rome in centers and spaces dedicated to migrants and refugees.

A Widespread and Participatory Festival

• Meetings and debates on inclusion, reception, and employment integration
• Photography exhibitions and artistic languages that give a voice to refugees
• Direct testimonies and moments of dialogue between institutions, civil society, and communities
• A national coordination network connecting Rome to other participating Italian cities

Why Participate

Refugee Week is not just a series of events, but an invitation to view migration through new eyes. In Rome, between the Luiss Campus and the neighborhoods of the Third District, the event offers citizens, students, and families the opportunity to encounter stories, cultures, and integration projects that span the capital and the entire Lazio region. An experience open to everyone, free of charge, that combines civic reflection with cultural participation.