The Refugee Flag will be flying in Sturt Street until Friday to mark Refugee Week.
The week-long celebration began in Ballarat on Sunday before the Refugee Flag was raised in Sturt Street's Queen Victoria Square to mark World Refugee Day on Tuesday.
Afghan refugee Jalal Ahmadzi delivered the keynote speech for the day, describing his evacuation from Kabul in September 2021.
A bumper program of Refugee Week events has also been organised to celebrate refugees' contribution to Ballarat, while also raising awareness of the ongoing issues affecting refugees worldwide.
Refugee Week runs from Sunday 18 June to Saturday 24 June, with 'Finding Freedom' as the theme from 2023-2025.
The City of Ballarat last year adopted the Intercultural Plan 2022-2026, which outlines a commitment to welcoming refugees into the community, but also creating structures for full inclusion and participation.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said it was important to continue showing public support for refugees, while also delivering on goals to enhance support for them in Ballarat.
"For years we have shown our commitment to refugees in Ballarat, dating back to 2013 when Council declared the municipality a 'Refugee Welcome Zone'," he said.
"We are also an Intercultural City, a Welcoming City and a member of Mayors for Peace.
"For those refugees who find their way to Ballarat, it is important that we provide them with safety, friendship and a city that they can proudly call their new home.
"I'd like to think that we as a Council, as well as the Ballarat community, do a good job of welcoming refugees to the city, but there is always more that can be done."
For the full Refugee Week program in Ballarat, visit the Intercultural Ambassador Program City of Ballarat's Facebook page.
