“As we mark the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, we honour a landmark commitment to protect people forced to flee persecution and conflict,” said Pillay. “Yet this anniversary must also be a moment of honest reflection and renewed resolve.” He noted that, across the world, millions of people continue to be displaced by war, occupation, persecution, human rights violations, economic deprivation, and the growing consequences of climate change. “Many face prolonged uncertainty, exclusion and insecurity, while the international protection system itself is coming under increasing pressure,” he said. “Forced displacement is not only a humanitarian or legal challenge.” Pillay added that forced displacement is a profound human experience of loss: the loss of home, community, belonging, livelihood and, too often, hope. “Responses must therefore go beyond meeting immediate material needs,” he writes. “The concept of Shared Sacred Flourishing offers an important contribution to this endeavour.” Our well-being is bound to that of others and to the health of the communities and environments we share, reflected Pillay. “Faith communities are often present before humanitarian agencies arrive and remain after international attention has moved elsewhere,” he writes. “They provide shelter, food, education, health care, psychosocial and spiritual support, and help sustain community life.” Faith actors also have a responsibility to address the deeper causes of displacement, Pillay continued. “Humanitarian assistance alone cannot substitute for political action,” he writes. “As preparations advance towards the Global Refugee Forum 2027 and the future Agenda for Protection and Solutions, I offer three considerations.” First, Pillay urged that displaced and stateless people must participate meaningfully in shaping the policies and decisions that affect their lives. “Nothing about them should be decided without them,” he writes. “Second, partnerships with faith actors should be strengthened at both strategic and local levels, while supporting their capacity to uphold protection standards and respond inclusively to people of all faiths and none.” Third, our shared efforts must connect protection and humanitarian response with peacebuilding, social cohesion, and action addressing the root causes of displacement, Pillay urged. “The World Council of Churches remains committed to working with UNHCR, Religions for Peace, faith communities, governments, civil society and, most importantly, displacement-affected communities themselves,” the message concludes. “Together, we must seek a world in which every person can live in dignity and safety, participate fully in community life, and flourish in relationship with others.” Read the full message WCC, UN Refugee Agency sign historic memorandum of understanding that deepens collaboration (WCC news release, 1 June 2026) WCC leaders visit UN Refugee Agency (WCC news release, 9 June 2026) | 
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