Press Releases

“It is the obligation of every person born in a safer room, to open the door, when someone in danger knocks.”

The words of American novelist Dina Nayeri, have been put into practise, in the best possible manner by Voice4me, a Junior Achievement Publishing Company, which after hearing the knock, has kept the door open.

It is truly a pleasure to be here today for the presentation by Voice4me, of the book “The edge of passion” and a great honour to have with us the author of the book, Mr. Mahmood Alsersawi, a Palestinian refugee from Syria, now living in Cyprus. A book, aiming at enhancing awareness and fostering empathy for refugees at the same time.

The primary focus of Voice4me is giving a voice to refugees. Through literature and literary devices, Voice4me raises awareness about war and refugees in the 21st century in an attempt to contribute in minimizing racism and xenophobia.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Voice4me for their exceptional effort and work. For their dedication to the true values of life and for trying to make our world, a better place to live.  Your amazing work is an inspiration to all of us. 

With the support of the office of the High Commissioner for Refugees Cyprus, Voice4me published the works of Mr. Mahmood Alsersawi in a special edition. Through UNHCR, the students met the poet, got inspired by his work and decided to publish a collection of his poems. Alsersawi is an awarded poet who also worked as a cultural editor for many Arabic and Palestinian journals before fleeing Syria to escape from war and persecution. Ever since he came to Cyprus with his family to escape the brutal war, Alsersawi dreamed to have part of his poetry collection, published and shared with Cypriots. His dream becomes today, a reality and he has every reason to be proud of his work.

It is also worth noting that this is the fifth book published by Voice4me. All of them aim at providing a platform to marginalized people, including refugees, to voice their feelings, as well as to increase awareness and empathy for them. Ultimately, the students’ aim is to challenge stereotypes and prejudices on social issues, present different viewpoints and encourage readers and social media users to become more actively involved in the community and support refugees and other vulnerable groups of the society.

Taking this opportunity, I would also like to thank UNHCR for their vital role in ensuring protection and seeking solutions for refugees and uprooted people world-wide.

 However, we should always have in mind that protecting refugees and finding solutions for their problems is a shared responsibility requiring collective action. UNHCR can meet their everyday challenges better and more effectively with the support of citizens, civil society, corporations and the media. Wherever and however you want to help, there is a need. And the very first act is to promote the values of tolerance and understanding in order to free our world from fear, hatred and indifference.

As Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for refugees said in one of his recent speeches, “…the refugee crisis affects and involves us all, and what is needed, is understanding, compassion and political will to come together and find real answers”.

 ( DC )