I had a great conversation with Koreaβs President & his Special Envoys for Future Generations & Culture -
They are so deeply committed to inspiring their fans to embrace the #GlobalGoals and be the change our world so desperately needs.
Video coming soon!
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Melissa Fleming 
@MelissaFleming
I lead global communications for the to promote a peaceful, sustainable, just & humane world.
Our information is verified, based on science + solutions.
Melissa Fleming πΊπ³βs posts
"We thought the world has stopped, but it continues to move forward. Every choice we make is the beginning of change."
How moving to witness speaking at the #UNGA & hear their very special #GlobalGoals dedicated song + music video recorded here at the .
#BTSatUNGA
"Not only the frontline workers, but all of us should step up and help each other...
...The kids are forced to follow the rules without understanding why. Please comfort them, help them understand..."
- Jimin - κ°μ¬ν©λλ€!
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What a very thoughtful message from @BTS_twt Jimin - κ°μ¬ν©λλ€!
Children are indeed affected by #COVID19 restrictions, we should do our best to help them understand the situations, and support and comfort them.
Together, we will end this pandemic. #BeHelpful.
My interview with President & his Special Envoys for Future Generations & Culture is out!
Immensely inspiring to see BTS fans joining them in committing to be an army of positive forces for a better world.
Full interview: youtube.com/watch?v=wAXcMD
βSo we can no longer save the world by playing by the rules, because the rules have to be changed.
To do your best is no longer good enough. We must all do the seemingly impossible.
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projected on the + scenes of a melting iceberg.
#ClimateAction
This compassionate 'love myself' message + campaign with is so needed at this toxic time of social media-fueled insecurity and anxiety.
glblctzn.co/WxgbrEP49jb #globalcitizen
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βThe interview on our YT channel has more than 4m views, this is definitely the most viral interview Iβve ever done. For the UN, the social media posts around this amazing @BTS_twt appearance have actually been our most popular posts in the last 2 yrs.ββ@MelissaFleming
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NBC News NOW
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Our video team captured this scene when we visited the destroyed town of Souran, #Syria, where some refugees and displaced are returning to. No playgrounds left, just collapsed buildings and rubble. But kids being kids (resilient), they discovered this way to have some fun.
I am honored to be appointed by as the next Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications.
Communicating the ideals and values of the United Nations has never been more urgent.
I will remain forever committed to .
un.org/sg/en/content/
Breaking: The Thai authorities have granted UNHCR, access to Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun at Bangkok airport to assess her need for international refugee protection and find an immediate solution for her situation.
What an incredible honor to take my oath of office with to lead global communications for the and promoting its efforts to make the world more peaceful, stable, just, sustainable and humane.
Shireen Abu Akleh was a role-model for journalists in the Middle East & worldwide.
Her legacy must be cherished.
In her honour, we renamed our training programme to "The Shireen Abu Akleh Training Programme for Palestinian Broadcasters & Journalists".
We welcome the rapid decision of the Canadian Government to provide international protection to Rahaf as a resettled refugee. She will start her new life in Canada π¨π¦ when her plane lands there soon.
We wish her well!
Pakistan is going through a climate change nightmare. Heard from PM & Information Minister about just how apocalyptic the floods are for their people.
I pledged to continue to advocate loud for massive financial support, and justice.
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It's not refugees that are the problem. The problem is bombs falling on their houses- Spiros Galinos, Mayor Lesvos
Almost 1/2 of the 540,000 Rohingya refugee children under 12 here are missing out on education, while the remainder have access only to very limited schooling. Only a handful of teenage children can access any form of education or training.
We are advocating for their futures.
After 15 months of conflict, almost 40% of Tigrayans are suffering an extreme lack of food.
is doing all it can to ensure convoys with food and medicines make it through the frontlines, but no convoy has reached Tigray since mid-December.
Deeply disturbed by reports of journalists being arbitrarily suspended from Twitter.
Media freedom is not a toy. A free press is the cornerstone of democratic societies and a key tool in the fight against harmful disinformation.
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UNHCR consistently advocates that refugees and asylum seekers β having been confirmed or claimed to be in need of international protection β cannot be returned to their countries of origin according to the principle of non-refoulement.
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I lead communications. No such official communication has gone out to global staff to refrain from using certain words.
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Nearly two weeks on, it is painfully clear that those suffering the most after Russia's invasion of #Ukraine are civilians - killed, wounded, displaced. This war is senseless. We are ready to support all good-faith efforts at negotiation to end the bloodshed.
She was one of Somaliaβs brightest lights and hopes, inspiring people around the world (including me) to see the beauty in her troubled homeland.
Such a terrible, cruel loss.
"Too often, we see sobering examples of refugees and asylum seekers being excluded and pushed away...
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When people started leaving, βs remained in Afghanistan, along with other colleagues, to help children as they face hunger and fear.
Listen to her stirring stories of loss, reunification & hope on our podcast 'Awake At Night'. bit.ly/3hIjl7o
βYou donβt choose to be a refugee...
The only difference between a refugee and someone who grew up in the Western world is that we were forced out of our own country, out of our homes, because of fear β not out of choice.β
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Non-refoulement is an international principle that prevents States from expelling or returning persons to a territory where their life or freedom would be threatened.
If you choose a profession as a humanitarian, you are truly living a life of meaning and purpose.
Bansky reminds us that Steve Jobs was the son of a Syrian in a portrait on a Calais wall: theguardian.com/artanddesign/2
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UNHCR has been following developments closely and immediately sought access from the Thai authorities to meet with Rahaf to assess her need for international protection.
She looked to me like she was carrying the entire weight of the #Syria war on her small shoulders. - in Sulaymaniyah
Lovely story about the refugees from the Dadaab refugee camp who are rooting for Ilhan, who lived in the camp as a girl.
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For reasons of confidentiality and protection, we will not in a position to comment on the details of the meeting or the outcome.
Twin boys, Jacob and Simon 14 walked 21 days barefoot with their mom and siblings. Their father elder brother died in the fighting in Juba, South Sudan. "All I want is to have shoes," one of the boys told us, tears welling up in his eyes.
βSo people have been eating roots and flowers and plants instead of a normal steady meal."
βThe lack of food will mean that people will start to die.β
- π#Ethiopia
These Rohingya refugees kids are delightful. Their spirit, despite troubled circumstances (tough conditions, no formal education) is an inspiration.
At this center, they learn about mental health & and why it is ok when you feel despair to ask for help.
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The principle of non-refoulement is recognized as customary international law, and is also enshrined in Thailandβs other treaty obligations.
What a welcome: The Canadian Foreign Minister takes Rahaf under her wing at the airport in Toronto.
βThis is Rahaf al Qunun, a very brave new Canadian.β
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Rahaf Mohammed Saudi teenager arrives Toronto as@Canada grants asylum. Minister Freeland accompanies her . Rahaf doesnt comment at this time. β¦@CBCNewsβ© β¦@CBCTheNationalβ©
Picasso's haunting βGuernicaβ tapestry depicting the scourge of war is aptly displayed outside the Security Council.
Its looming presence here issues a constant reminder that war destroys humanity.
Starting from today, for the next #16Days we are joining forces with growing global momentum to stop sexual violence and rape - in peace and as a weapon of war.
#orangetheworld #GenerationEquality
βI have worked with refugees for well over 3 decades. I have seen much solidarity, even heroism, & that solidarity is still very strong.
But also in these 3.5 decades, I have never seen such toxicity in the language of politics...β
- to Security Council #now
As communicators, it is our duty to highlight what is wrong with the world, but we also have an opportunity to point out what is going right and what is possible.
And to help people feel hope.
passblue.com/2020/01/27/mel via
I am in Lebanon, where UNHCR has registered almost 1 million refugees from Syria, or 25% of the population. By contrast, refugees represent only 2% of Europe's population. Perspective.
It was an honour to watch history unfold today at the in New York. The Global Compact on Refugees has officially been adopted by the General Assembly.
It will transform refugee response, benefiting both refugees and the communities that host them.
#RefugeeCompact
Rest in peace, dear Amal. May your death be the turning point that moved the world to end this horrendous war.
#Amal #Yemen #Peace
nyti.ms/2CXLjc6
We welcome Austria & Germany decision to receive thousands of refugees who crossed last night from Hungary. Leadership based on values.
4 years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Stress, lack of sleep & neglected check-ups had given a tumor the perfect environment to grow.
Β
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an important reminder: Early detection is critical & can save lives.
"Today I am announcing a new Communications Response Initiative to flood the Internet with facts & science while countering the growing scourge of misinformation -- a poison that is putting even more lives at risk."
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webtv.un.org/search/antΓ³nio
βI have worked for refugees for 35 years and there is one constant message I hear from them - they want education, even before food.
There is a refugee education crisis...β
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But thanks to the German governmentβs DAFI scholarships, some hope.
#TheOther1PerCent
Many of my Twitter friends ask me how they can help refugees, so I wrote this for some tips: ideas.ted.com/8-practical-wa thanks to:
Not sure I have ever met anyone with a bigger β€οΈ. Star actress who herself rose from a lot of struggle, loss & pain, is now devoting her empathy and spirit to UNHCR to champion the remarkable resilience of refugees. #doitluquluqu
"We live in the same house!"
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Vaccine hoarding, #Omicron variant, & travel bans in a nutshell.
Share the vaccine. Lift the IP. Share the formula. #PeoplesVaccine now.
#Vaccinate #COVID19
Today, on #WorldHumanitarianDay we celebrate people who devote their lives to the cause of humanity. Often at great risk and tremendous personal sacrifice.
The selfless devotion of my colleagues at UNHCR inspires me every day.
Today we especially honor #womenhumanitarians.
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I lead communications. No such official communication has gone out to global staff to refrain from using certain words.
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Nearly two weeks on, it is painfully clear that those suffering the most after Russia's invasion of #Ukraine are civilians - killed, wounded, displaced. This war is senseless. We are ready to support all good-faith efforts at negotiation to end the bloodshed.
Survey!: results revealed that what asylum seekers want most is to restore dignity to their lives β to have the ability to provide for themselves and their families without relying on the charity of others.
Ikeaβs Newly Designed Refugee Shelters Are a Game Changer. So much better than a tent! tak.pt/i/mIDcc5cE
Such an impressive team I have at Global Communications.
Together we will inform, humanize and mobilize:
β¦οΈ for peace
β¦οΈ for rights
β¦οΈ for well-being
The refugees I am meeting at the Vienna station are so grateful for the warm welcome.
Abuse is not always physical and it doesnβt always leave visible scars.
On today's Int'l Day to End Violence against Women, has 10 suggestions to make a difference. un-women.medium.com/take-action-10 #OrangeTheWorld
"This was a victory for that 8-yr-old in that refugee camp...for every person told they have limits on their dreams" n.pr/2fmHbE2
I reject racism. It is a man-made virus that causes hurt that never heals. It targets and kills.
Standing in solidarity with those raising their voices to say 'enough'.
#StandUp4HumanRights
It is never a crime to seek asylum in another country even if one enters a country irregularly.
The right to seek asylum is enshrined in Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights & was made binding by the 1951 Refugee Convention.
"For the child of war, an education can turn their tears of loss into a passion for peace." Remarkable refugee speaker, Mary Maker's talk is out on | #TEDxKakumaCamp Do watch:
Today I am calling for an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world.
It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives β the #COVID19 pandemic.
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Foundation covers registration fees, teacher salaries & textbooks. Such a gift for these kids & the future of Syria. cnn.it/2wiNLmP
What a journey! From childhood at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya to being the first model to wear a Burkina in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition.
Proud of you and how you stand for being you, dear @Kinglimaa
si.com/swim-daily/201
Beautiful to see this view of New York City after a night of snowfall.
I am joining & & in the #WearAMask challenge.
The simple act of wearing a mask helps stop the spread of #COVID19 while keeping you + your community safe.
I nominate Secretary-General to spread the word.
"If people knew their stories, I donβt think there would be so many walls." - me
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βFor the last eight years Iβve been the head of communications for the UN Refugee Agency. My job is to make people care about the..."
βUndocumented women and children are the most unprotected of human beings.β
Such disturbing accounts: nyti.ms/2VyZKZQ?smid=n
My thoughts on the sinking of the Adriana - a stain on our collective conscience.
Let's make this tragedy count as the wake-up call that finally gives every human life equal value.
No one should have to die trying to reach a better, safer life.
These refugee girls from Yemen will stay in my heart. They live in a desolate camp in Djibouti & long to return home when/ if there is peace.
Highlight of my day - holding this #WorldRefugeeDay newborn in the maternity ward at the Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan.
May his future be peaceful and bright.
Misinformation has become another risk factor that is "really allowing the virus to thrive.β
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The worldβs refugees and migrants donβt demand our pity. They just ask for our attention.β -
The most beautiful piece I have read about the experience of people on the move, by one who is walking with them.
#edenwalk
Amazing ingenuity: a face shield that can be printed by the hundreds. It is made from plastic, Mylar and elastic, and covers the whole face, protecting the nose and eyes from droplets that may contain the rapidly spreading #coronavirus.
"...history eventually sides with those who help refugees, not with those who vilify them." - nytimes.com/2016/09/18/opi
On this date in 1945, 50 countries gathered to sign the UN Charter in San Francisco.
78 years later, the πΊπ³ remains committed to maintaining international peace & security, providing humanitarian assistance worldwide, and ensuring international law is respected. #CharterDay
We see too many families torn apart by war and desperate journeys. Which is why when my colleagues manage to reunite them like this mother and her children, we cry tears of joy with them. Watch, and you will too:
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These children were reunited with their mother after 8 years. 
Syrian refugee kids getting sweets from the generous Austrian public. Just arrived from Hungary.
Iran is one of the biggest refugee hosting countries in the world. Also one of the most progressive: all refugee children are welcome in schools & refugees have good access to healthcare & livelihoods. Yet global funding for programs & resettlement have gone down.
The saddest grave I have ever seen. A refugee child who drowned off the Greek island of Lesvos with no name.
Thank you for including the world and for moving us so deeply with your posts about the individuals whose lives were cut short from #COVID19.
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Beginning today, our final post each day will feature a story of loss from outside the United States to underscore the critical need for global vaccine equity.
Afghans have suffered too much already. It is hard to overstate the looming catastrophe they face. Basic services are collapsing, food & vital aid is fast running out. The is committed to doing all we can, but we need the world to help us save lives.
"We cannot afford to abandon refugees to hopelessness...
Throughout human history, people everywhere have provided shelter to strangers seeking refuge β bound to them by a sense of duty and humanity.β
-β¦β© #RefugeeForum β¦
