Legendary footballer Craig Foster will join millions around the world this Saturday, October 19 as part of the Global Solidarity Run at Parramatta Park in Sydney, an event designed to raise awareness about the increasing crisis of displaced people globally.
Participants from 60 countries will run, walk, or wheel 5 kilometres in a united effort to spotlight the growing number of individuals forced to flee their homes due to conflict and other crises. Recent reports indicate that forced displacement has reached unprecedented levels, with 68.3 million people internally displaced and 43.4 million refugees seeking international protection.
For Zaki Haidari, an Amnesty International Strategic Campaigner, this event holds personal significance. Forced to leave Afghanistan in 2012 and arriving in Australia by boat, he spent 12 years awaiting a permanent protection visa. Zaki shares, “I understand the deep pain of leaving your country—leaving behind family, friends, and the place where you grew up. It’s crucial to raise awareness about people like myself, who once were in desperate need of protection and now, thankfully, can call Australia a safe home. I want others to know they are not alone in their struggles.”
Craig Foster emphasises the urgency of the situation, stating, “The world is facing great changes that are forcing more people than ever to flee. It’s imperative that we illuminate this issue and educate everyone about the need to support our fellow human beings. Sport is one of the few remaining social vehicles that brings us together. Walking together like we will on this day helps break down barriers and fosters understanding among us all.”
Organised by Sanctuary Runners in Ireland, in partnership with the Refugee Council of Australia, Amnesty International, the Irish Consulate in Australia, and SSI, the Global Solidarity Run is a global act of solidarity. Participants will connect through various events worldwide, starting in French Polynesia and moving westward through Australia, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, all tracked in real-time online.
