Five Ways to Support Refugee Leadership Towards a More Inclusive World

This year, World Refugee Day focuses on solidarity with refugees – for a world where all refugees are welcomed. 

Durable solutions to forced displacement and welcoming communities for refugees are needed more than ever. And everyone has a role to play.

Governments, NGOs, community organizations, post-secondary institutions, businesses, and refugees themselves are all essential to paving the way toward more inclusive and welcoming schools, businesses, services, and communities.

Refugee voices and refugee-led organizations must be at the forefront of conversations and actions toward durable solutions. At the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva this past December, WUSC made seven pledges to expand complementary pathways, champion durable solutions to forced displacement and self-reliance, and promote refugee-led solutions. 

Here are some of the ways we are ensuring that the perspectives, needs, and aspirations of young refugees are heard, acknowledged, and contributing to the advances we are making towards fulfilling our pledges. 

• Through youth advisory committees, refugee and displaced youth play a central role in ensuring our programming remains relevant, impactful, and responsive to the needs of the communities we work with. Learn more. 
• Through our Refugee-Led Counseling for Complementary Pathways Project in Jordan which enables refugees to participate in developing their own solutions. Learn more.
• By supporting refugee-led initiatives and businesses through funding & capacity-building.  Learn more. 
• By providing platforms for members of our network with lived-experience to share their journeys. For example, our HIRES video series shares the stories of participants of our labour mobility pathways programming through the lens of the video’s creative director, who is also a program alum. Learn more 
• By re-investing our resources in the potential of refugees through the contribution of funds to solutions that increase access to financial capital and promote economic empowerment. Learn more.

Our work would not be possible without our incredible network of partners whose commitment to creating a better world for refugees is an inspiration to all. To our employer partners, post-secondary partners, youth network, funders and everyone who shares their time and resources in support of our programs: we are grateful to you today and every day for your efforts. 

If you want to be a part of this movement, this World Refugee Day, join us in creating #WelcomingCommunities around the world in solidarity #WithRefugees.