Grammy winners join singer-songwriter tour to raise money for refugee education.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Produced by Jesuit Refugee Service/USA (JRS/USA), in partnership with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, Lampedusa: Concerts for Refugees is raising awareness and money to support expanded educational opportunities for displaced people through JRS's Global Education Initiative. Funds raised from the tour help refugees heal, learn, and thrive.

Performing this year are Joan Baez, Brandi Carlile, Lila Downs, Steve Earle, Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris, Dave Matthews, James McMurtry, Buddy Miller, Alynda Segarra, and Lucinda Williams – all Grammy winners and Grammy nominated artists who are donating their talents this October in eight cities for Lampedusa: Concerts for Refugees.

"I believe that education is the key to everything," remarked Emmylou Harris following her visit last year to Ethiopia to visit JRS programs there. Harris visited one of many education programs JRS provides, including primary, secondary, and vocational livelihoods training, in 42 countries around the world.

The Lampedusa 2017 tour will reach eight markets:

The tour stop at the Bay Area's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival will be webcast live and archived for rebroadcast.

Last year's Lampedusa tour played in eleven cities across the U.S. and Canada and with a lineup that included music legends Robert Plant, Dan Lanois, and Ron Sexsmith in addition to many of the artists returning this year: Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, and Joan Baez.

"Education is a life-saving intervention for refugees. With Lampedusa, we hope people are inspired by the music and are compelled to get involved," says David Robinson, Executive Director of JRS/USA. JRS/USA calls on all attendees and supporters to visit concertsforrefugees.org to stand with and support refugees.

"For children forced to flee their homes, school provides security, stability and opportunity when everything else in their lives is uncertain and unrecognizable," says Matthew Reynolds, UNHCR regional representative for the United States and the Caribbean.

To learn more about JRS/USA visit www.jrsusa.org. To Learn more about UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency, visit www.unhcr.org 

SOURCE Jesuit Refugee Service

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