In May, R-SEAT hosted a Deep Dive session at the 2024 Global Solutions Summit (GSS) in Berlin, Germany. This year’s GSS was organized around the theme of “Mobilizing Change for Global Prosperity” to encourage the sharing of multistakeholder solutions to today’s polycrises. R-SEAT presented a session on Meaningful Refugee Participation for Global Solutions, featuring expert panelists Paula Santacruz (New Zealand Refugee Advisory Panel), Osama Salem (Robert Bosch Foundation), and Jeff Crisp (Refugee Studies Center). We were excited to bring the important subjects of forced displacement and the value of lived experience in decision making processes to such an important forum. 

R-SEAT in Malaysia

In late February, R-SEAT's              Co-Managing Director, Rez Gardi, attended the Statelessness Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. While in Malaysia she also spoke at an event organized by Geutanyoe Malaysia and COBEM that brought together representatives from 40 different refugee-led organizations to share their experiences in Malaysia. 

During this trip, Rez met with Members of Parliament to discuss inclusive refugee law and policy with a focus on the positive impact of refugee communities.  

Aurora Prize Events

In May, R-SEAT attended the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity events at the UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center. The events, hosted by the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, focused on “Shining a Light in the Darkest of Times" and brought together global and local leaders. 

R-SEAT's Co-Managing Director, Rez Gardi, gave a keynote address on the Forced Displacement & Refugees panel at the Human Rights and Humanitarian Forum. She spoke about the ongoing humanitarian crises and the role of refugee leadership in addressing the most critical challenges we face today. 

R-SEAT visits Brazil

In April, R-SEAT visited Brazil to meet with the National Committee for Refugees of Brazil (CONARE) and to plan for the establishment of its Refugee Advisory Panel.

During our visit, we were pleased to engage with UNHCR, the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship, the Migration Policy Coordination, and the National Secretariat for Social Participation. The goal of these meetings  was to understand how meaningful refugee participation is integrated into decision-making processes.

Additionally, R-SEAT met with refugee and migrant leaders in the cities of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília, who advocate tirelessly for the rights of refugees in Brazil. 

A special thank you to R-SEAT’s partner, Coalition for Venezuela, for their invaluable support during our visit to Brazil.

R-SEAT at the Bogotá Hilton: A Platform for Change in Latin America 

In February, R-SEAT participated in the Hilton Foundation’s Refugee Initiative Partners Convening in Bogotá, Colombia. This event brought together RLOs, civil society, and government officials from Colombia and Ecuador to discuss the challenges of forced displacement in the region and explore how we can work together to find solutions.  

For R-SEAT, this event was a great opportunity to share ideas, learn from others, and connect with partners from Colombia and Ecuador involved in Hilton Foundation’s Refugees Initiative. 

R-SEAT and Partners Advocate for Refugee Participation in Policy-Making

In February, in partnership with the Canadian Embassy in Colombia, Open Society Foundations, and in alliance with Venezuelans in Barranquilla, R-SEAT held an event to generate recommendations for the Colombian Government. The discussion covered topics ranging from enhancing guarantees of refugee participation, to strengthening the asylum system, and promoting meaningful refugee participation within Cartagena+40 discussions. The event included participants from the private sector, academia, diplomats, non-governmental organizations, and refugee-led organizations (RLOs).  

Building Connections and Recognizing the Impact

of RLOs in Kenya

High Level Networking Dinner 

In February, R-SEAT and Refugee Youth Education Hub (RYEH) co-hosted a high-level networking dinner in Nairobi, Kenya, to celebrate the achievements of Abdullahi Mire, the 2023 Global Nansen Laureate, and recognize the significant contributions of RLOs across Kenya. 

The event focused on enhancing meaningful refugee participation, and to building genuine partnerships that recognize the vital role of RLOs in their communities. The Commissioner for Refugees Affairs in Kenya, John N. Burugu, joined over 70 attendees in highlighting the importance of promoting collaboration and shared responsibility in addressing refugee issues. 

Shaping Policies through Lived Experience

The Transformative Impact of Meaningful Refugee Participation

In this blogpost, Nejra Sumic shares with us how the meaningful participation of refugee advisors is transforming policies. From her intervention at the Global Refugee Forum to her work with the United States Refugee Advisory Board, Nejra offers us a unique perspective on the importance of including refugees in the decisions that affect their lives.

Discover the full story of how Nejra is shaping a more inclusive and just future for everyone.

What’s Unsaid |

Let refugees lead 

The New Humanitarian 

Refugees and RLOs are demanding a seat at the table and to be heard. Refugee advocate Jean Marie Ishimwe tells 'What's Unsaid' host Obi Anyadike why it's time for the Refugee-Led Organisation (RLO) revolution, and why R-SEAT is pushing for "enough seats" at the table.