Day 1: Talent Beyond Boundaries at the Global #RefugeeForum
Our delegation’s daily dispatches from Geneva
Talent Beyond Boundaries’ Global CEO, Steph Cousins, at the bus stop on her way to day one!
On the eve of the Global Refugee Forum, our team embarked on a diverse array of engagements. We actively participated in events organized by our esteemed EU partners, EU Passworld, focusing on complementary pathways into Italy, Ireland, and Belgium. Additionally, we were present at the Welcome Japan Symposium, the Education Campus, the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) seminar, and a session highlighting multi-stakeholder approaches to ending statelessness, where the UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett lent her star power. We also had valuable interactions with the Australian delegation, our partners at the Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative (GRSI), as well as meetings with key partners like Duolingo, Northpine, and Fragomen, where we worked collaboratively to refine their exciting pledges for the Forum.
Talking through Australia plans for the Global Refugee Forum with [from left] Joseph Youhana (Host International), Tanzil Rahman (NT Government), David Crawford (Fragomen) and Noor Azizah (Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network)
Here are some noteworthy takeaways from these engagements:
The discussions revolved around the transformative potential of complementary pathways, such as skilled migration, which offer refugees increased choices, respect for their agency, and a renewed sense of hope. Syed, the founder of the National Association of Refugees in Italy (UNIRE), eloquently referred to complementary pathways as "humanizing pathways," a profoundly beautiful perspective. As another former UNHCR protection officer aptly pointed out, "Every migrant journey starts with hope, but for refugees, it often ends in hell. Complementary pathways can break the fall into hell."
The sessions on education and training highlighted remarkable initiatives providing refugees with scholarships for higher education and vocational training. For instance, one university has committed to granting 5,000 scholarships to refugees worldwide for bachelor's and master's degrees. However, the challenge lies in what happens after graduation, especially if refugees are not legally allowed to work. This is where refugee labour mobility could play a pivotal role. Aligning these education initiatives with employment pathways in high-demand industries has the potential to enhance scalability and impact significantly.
Slide from the Vocational Education session - showing how training providers want to line up with refugee labour mobility opportunities
It was heartening to witness the presence of numerous employers at the Global Refugee Forum, including AWS, Accenture, Visa, NHS Professionals, and Generali. Some are experienced recruiters of displaced talent, like NHS Professionals, while others are venturing into this realm for the first time. There was a keen interest in engaging with TBB, and follow-up meetings are underway to discuss hiring opportunities.
The session on statelessness featured an impressive panel of current and formerly stateless advocates who have passionately fought for their rights and the rights of all stateless individuals. Personal stories, such as that of Noor Azizah, a once stateless Australian Rohingya refugee, resonated deeply. She spoke about the freedom she felt when she finally arrived in Australia, emphasizing the importance of giving a voice to those with lived experiences of displacement and statelessness. Their stories are the most powerful advocacy.
From left to Right: TBB’s UK+ Europe Director, Marina Brizar; TBB’s Global CEO, Stephanie Cousins and Noor Azizah.
We had the privilege of meeting Cate Blanchett after she moderated the statelessness panel. We shared insights about TBB's efforts to support stateless candidates navigating labour mobility pathways. Marina mentioned her journey to Australia as a refugee from Bosnia, and Cate responded with a warm smile, saying, "And look at you now!"
From left to right: TBB’s UK+ Europe Director, Marina Brizar; TBB’s Global CEO, Stephanie Cousins, Cate Blanchett
These engagements have invigorated our commitment to creating lasting and impactful solutions for forcibly displaced individuals, and we look forward to further discussions and collaborations throughout the week.