Global Refuge’s Post

Stop to consider: in the time it takes to count to two, another person is forcibly displaced from their home because of conflict or persecution. They need our help and welcome, but tragically, narratives around immigration in the U.S. increasingly depict people in need of safety as security threats, drains on resources or opportunists. To the contrary, embracing and empowering these talented, resilient individuals and families as they rebuild their lives is a smart investment in our country’s future. Right here in Baltimore, new Americans account for approximately 8% of Baltimore City’s population, but own around 70,000 homes and 22,000 businesses, boasting spending power of $9 billion dollars. As they make the most of an area that’s ranked as one of the best in the U.S. for immigrants, it’s clear these newcomers are more than willing to lay down roots here, contribute to Baltimore’s economy and culturally enrich our neighborhoods. But statistics only tell part of the story. Each figure represents a human being with hopes and dreams of a better life for themselves and their loved ones. Check out my latest op-ed in the Baltimore Sun about the amazing contributions immigrants and refugees bring to our city and how you can help. https://lnkd.in/eyqX_hGd

📗 Growing together 📘 Much has been said about deepening social divisions in the face of current economic and political conflicts. Immigration seems to pose a particular threat to social cohesion. However, the outcomes are not always negative, as WZB researcher Clara van den Berg can show. She has investigated, that civil society engagement for #refugees also strengthens the host society. This is good news in the current #migration and #integration debate. In the research project “The Activated Civil Society” Clara van den Berg and her colleagues performed a qualitative comparison between four medium-sized German cities. Their focus was on the networks between civil society organizations and groups involved in refugee aid during the long summer of migration around 2015, but the observation period extended into 2021. Their study shows, that local civil societies can play a key role in ensuring social cohesion. Individual groups not only grow closer together, they also act as mediators in conflicts. The groups that emerged between 2015 and 2021 often face hostility from the right and have to justify themselves. Advocating for immigration is not easy in times of critical public sentiment. But precisely because of the great potential for conflict, the research has important implications for policymaking. Especially in times when social cohesion is eroding and democratic societies are in danger, it is essential to strengthen civil society, especially at the local level. This can be achieved through public funding for projects, the provision of physical spaces for engagement (especially in times of rising rents), and active support from local administrators. In the two cities, where the civil society communities flourished between 2015 and 2021, politicians and dedicated individuals in the administrations played a decisive role. One of the lessons learned from the study is this: The alliance between administrators and #civilsociety was a key step and remains crucial for the future of an active civil society. Find the whole article from the Online edition of our WZB research magazine here 🔽 https://lnkd.in/ek6_xS5P Teresa Völker Lennart Schürmann

Is your organization faced with staffing challenges? We pioneered a new path by hiring newly resettled refugees beginning in 2021. It has been excellent for our organization, our residents and our newest team members. Today, we are proud to have more than 60 refugees still working for us, who along with their families, represent more than 200 new Americans from war-torn places such as Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria, Congo and Colombia. This week, Mary Klein, Chief Human Resources Officer, presented “The Beginner's Guide to Hiring Refugees” to LeadingAge members. Klein shared four key takeaways for other senior living organizations considering bringing on refugees as team members: 1. This program has been a great win-win-win program for Westminster: It has allowed us to hire new team members in a challenging labor market, to support newly arrived refugees, and to engage residents throughout the organization. 2. Collaboration with resettlement agencies and providing supportive short term services is the key to success. In addition to providing employment, we’ve been able to help with housing, furnishings, transportation and more. 3. As a faith-based, not-for-profit organization, this program has excellent alignment with our Mission and Founding Principles. We take seriously God’s words to Abraham: “When a stranger resides among you in your land, you shall not mistreat him… You shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” 4. This program has helped guide a variety of other community-based resources to our communities. We’ve helped partner with resident volunteers and other organizations to create English language programs for new team members’ children, and to help find them many of life’s necessities through donations from members of the community. Klein said that she hopes, by sharing our experiences, Westminster can help other organizations succeed in hiring refugees. “There’s so much need, far more than our organization could ever meet, and at the same time everyone in senior living is struggling with recruitment,” she said. LeadingAge has now published its very helpful toolkit on hiring refugees in partnership with Global Refuge, a national refugee resettlement agency. It includes variety of recommendations and better ways to help make these programs successful. Download LeadingAge’s toolkit today to learn all about the ways refugees can contribute to senior living organizations! https://loom.ly/4hvF-Hw

Displaced leaders across the US want you to know the bottom line: everyone, regardless of their economic potential, has the right to live in safety & dignity. But that should not diminish efforts to highlight the many significant contributions refugees and other new Americans make. This truth & other best practices for framing the economic contributions refugees & displaced people make across the U.S. can be found in our guide: Refugee Congress https://lnkd.in/gBk3cXQn

"The progress made so far is not just aspirational but tangible. Australia, Canada, the UK, Portugal, Belgium, and Ireland have initiated pilot programs to facilitate the integration of refugees and forcibly displaced people into their skilled admissions programs. These pilot programs showcase the viability and success of opening up skilled immigration pathways to those who have faced immense adversity and have laid the foundation for a more comprehensive approach to addressing this global issue." Our UK and Europe Director, Marina Brizar, on Talent Beyond Boundaries' pledge to open immigration pathways for refugees and forcibly displaced people in at least 27 countries by 2027. 👀 Read the blog to learn more and support our pledge to transform refugee labour mobility at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency's #RefugeeForum 🌎 : https://lnkd.in/gNKZapvQ #globalrefugeeforum #withrefugees #GRF2023

📢 Key Findings on Resettlement Needs in Europe: 2025   The latest UNHCR Projected Global Resettlement Needs Report for 2025, on which I’ve been reporting since last week, highlights significant trends for Europe:   🌍 Resettlement needs are projected to increase significantly due to ongoing conflicts, political instability, and environmental factors. Key source regions include Syria, Afghanistan, and parts of Africa, with Germany, France, and Sweden demonstrating higher capacities for resettlement. 350,600 refugees, particularly residing in Türkiye, will be in need of resettlement.   🚸 Integrating refugees into host societies remains a formidable challenge, encompassing language barriers, employment, housing, and social inclusion. Political opposition and public resistance in some countries further complicate these efforts.   🚸 Different European countries display varying capacities and willingness to accept and integrate refugees, highlighting the need for tailored approaches in logistics and policy-making.   🚸 Refugees face multiple integration barriers, with critical needs around language training, employment support, and community building initiatives to foster social inclusion.   🔹 There's an urgent need for enhanced collaboration among European countries to equitably share the responsibility of resettlement.   🔹 Increasing funding and resources for integration programs is vital for supporting refugees in overcoming challenges and successfully integrating into host societies.   🌟 Addressing these resettlement needs effectively in 2025 will require a coordinated effort across national and regional levels, grounded in humanitarian principles and practical policy implementations. Let’s continue to support and advocate for robust resettlement strategies around the world to provide refugees with the protection and opportunities they need and deserve.   #UNHCR #Europe #Refugees #Resettlement #HumanMobility #PGRN #Migration 

On #WorldRefugeeDay, we pause to acknowledge the struggles and celebrate the resilience of millions of refugees around the world. Each person forced to flee their home carries a story of unimaginable hardship and unyielding strength. It's essential to recognize not only their challenges but also their potential and contributions. Every day, the number of refugees and migrants grows, reaching over 281 million international migrants around the world. With them, so do the hardships—poverty, humiliation, pain, and loss. Despite these challenges, refugees and migrants demonstrate remarkable strengths, including resilience, adaptability, and a drive to rebuild their lives and communities. Youth and children, in particular, deserve our attention. These young individuals have the right to education and the chance to grow in a peaceful environment. Investing in their future through education and opportunities is investing in a more hopeful, united world. Today, let's move beyond symbolic gestures. Let’s engage genuinely with our refugee neighbors, support their integration, and advocate for policies that protect their rights and dignity. Real change begins with real action. #WorldRefugeeDay2024 #RefugeeRights #RefugeeYouth #YouthEducation #Humanity #TogetherWeCan #RefugeeStrength #resilience

Today, on World Refugee Day, Fairpicture stand's in solidarity with #refugees and displaced persons around the globe. We are deeply committed to telling their stories, elevating their voices, and creating a more #equitable world. Fairpicture believes in the power of #ethical storytelling to inspire change and foster understanding. We wish for the narratives of refugees to be seen, heard, and respected. Within Fairpicture we are dedicated to providing job opportunities and long-term economic stability for refugees, asylum seekers and the displaced. This commitment is demonstrated across multiple departments where we hire and support refugee talent. By integrating diverse perspectives into our team, we not only enrich our work environment and outputs with lived experiences but also contribute to the broader goal of economic empowerment for displaced individuals. Credit: Mohammad Rakibul Hasan / Solidar Swisse / Fairpicture #WorldRefugeeDay #RefugeeVoices #Fairpicture #EconomicEmpowerment #DiversityAndInclusion #RefugeeSupport #EthicalStorytelling #Fairpicture