Global retailer UNIQLO, a subsidiary of Fast Retailing, marked World Refugee Day on June 19, 2024, in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Tokyo. This event highlighted the company’s ongoing efforts and commitment to supporting refugees worldwide, aligning with the latest UNHCR Global Trends Report that revealed a staggering increase in global displacement, reaching 120 million people by May 2024.
Koji Yanai, Group Senior Executive Officer of Fast Retailing, emphasized the crucial role of the private sector in addressing the refugee crisis, stating, “As a global partner of UNHCR, Fast Retailing will continue to support refugees through further contributions in the future.” Since 2006, Fast Retailing has been actively involved in providing clothing aid and developing programs that promote self-reliance among refugees through education, vocational training, and employment opportunities.
Launch of UTme! Hope Away From Home T-shirt Collection
As part of their commitment, UNIQLO announced the launch of the UTme! Hope Away From Home T-shirt collection. This initiative stems from the Youth with Refugees Art Contest, where five winning designs will be printed on T-shirts and sold globally. The contest attracted over 4,000 entries from young artists in refugee and host communities, providing a platform for expressing support for refugees through art. Proceeds from these T-shirts will be donated to UNHCR to assist displaced individuals.
In Singapore, customers can find these unique designs at the UTme! printing menus available at Orchard Central and Jewel Changi stores.
PEACE FOR ALL T-Shirt Project
Additionally, the PEACE FOR ALL T-shirt project introduces three new designs available for purchase in Singapore starting June 21, 2024. These T-shirts, priced at $19.90 each, feature designs aimed at promoting peace, contributed by notable figures such as designer Tokujin Yoshioka, photographer Saul Leiter, and calligrapher Han Meilin. The project has garnered significant support, selling over four million T-shirts globally since its inception in June 2022, raising 1.2 billion yen in donations.
Yanai expressed gratitude for the project’s success and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to spreading the message of peace. “We hope to continue expanding this project, so the message of a wish for peace will reach many people facing difficult circumstances around the world,” he said.
Local Community Engagement: PEACE FOR ALL Workshops
UNIQLO Singapore, in partnership with JOURNEY from TOUCH Community Services, is conducting stencil workshops to bridge understanding and reduce biases against people with intellectual disabilities. These workshops are available on selected dates between June 16 and July 13 at UNIQLO stores in Ang Mo Kio, Orchard Central, and Parkway Parade Mall. Customers who purchase two or more PEACE FOR ALL T-shirts in-store from May 26 to July 7 can redeem a complimentary workshop session.
