A Journey of Learning: Researching Economic Opportunities for Refugee Youth in Kenya, Jordan, and Malawi

The 2024 International Seminar brought together youth from Canada, Kenya, Jordan, and Malawi, both refugees and non-refugees, in a collaborative research environment aimed at enhancing global connections and tackling relevant research questions. 

The International Seminar explores a contemporary development issue through research and insights of young people, collaborating directly with key actors in one or more countries. 

Since its first edition in 1948, the International Seminar has engaged thousands of participants from around the world to collaborate on various projects related to women entrepreneurship, sustainable development, the integration of young people into the job market, the impact of volunteering, and more. Throughout the years, this platform has inspired and supported young people to acquire new skills and perspectives while expanding their global networks.

For this year’s International Seminar, held in Kenya, Jordan, and Malawi, young people conducted research on how to promote economic opportunities for refugee youth and strengthen cohesion between refugee youth and host communities. Participants used a systems thinking approach for their research questions to help them gain a holistic understanding of the issues, offer their views, and assess their potential impact.

Through research, focus group discussions, and interviews, 24 participants actively contributed to knowledge building towards inclusive and sustainable solutions, particularly for refugee youth and their host communities in Kenya, Jordan, and Malawi.

At the end of the International Seminar, young people shared their findings and recommendations with key partners and international stakeholders in a virtual symposium and a final written report. Participants’ findings included legal and political barriers to employment for refugees, lack of access to education, difficulty to obtain work permits, and lack of economic opportunities. To address these issues, recommendations included implementing laws to allow refugees access to employment, creating partnerships with refugee-led initiatives, ensuring access to education, and promoting policies to integrate refugees.  

Plem Kijamba was motivated to participate in the International Seminar due to his experience as a refugee. He was offered the chance to continue his education in Canada through the Student Refugee Program. He is now pursuing his undergraduate studies in international development at McGill University. 

“I approached the International Seminar with a learning mindset,” he explains. In Jordan, he partnered with seven other researchers, three of whom were from Canada. As a team, they explored the legal system and documented cases of unequal rights between refugees of different nationalities and barriers to start a business for refugees. 

Plem also highlights the important role of Seminarists with experience working in the countries where the International Seminar was held in their research. These Seminarists offered their knowledge and expertise and had strong relationships with refugee and host communities.  For example, Vivian Shaima, a Seminarist, supports refugees in Jordan and connects them to education and economic opportunities in a third country. 

After the International Seminar, Plem will be exploring the creation of future projects with the Seminarists he met in Jordan and how to apply the knowledge and research. He will also be conducting a research study on refugee economies in Kenya and Uganda. 

Watch this video about the International Seminar!

Thank you to all of the Seminarists for participating in the 2024 International Seminar! Stay tuned for updates as we develop next year’s International Seminar.