This year, the Finnish Refugee Council (FRC) celebrates 60 years of supporting refugees and displaced persons. FRC was founded in 1965 by Helvi Sipilä as a fundraising and information organisation for the UNHCR. Over the decades, we have been working in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
When founding the organisation, Helvi believed there was both a need and a space for this work in Finland. This need has only grown over the years, as there are more displaced people in the world today than ever before – up to 120 million. This harsh fact highlights that the work of our oraganisation is more essential now than ever.
The theme of the anniversary year is resilience, reflecting FRC’s ability to renew itself in a constantly changing world and in diverse contexts. It also reflects the ability of refugees to adapt to new life situations and integrate into new societies.
For decades, we have been building new beginnings, driven by the resilience of those forced to flee and their strong roots. In the future, we will continue to grow and strengthen together to make the future safer and more sustainable for all.
– All these years, Finnish Refugee Council has done significant work on forced displacement together with partners, refugees and host communities. Globally, we are facing constant change, and adapting to change can only be achieved through collaboration. In this anniversary year, we reflect on the past to learn, while looking ahead a sustainable future and new beginnings,” says Annu Lehtinen, Executive Director of FRC.
Throughout the year, FRC’s 60th anniversary will be higlighted on the organisation’s website and social media. In addition, we will showcase our long-standing and successful work, both in Finland and in our other countries of operation.