Huy Truong’s Post

Naively, I thought with 20 years experience working in sustainability, I had some understanding of what refugees went through. In truth, I had no idea. After the full scale invasion of Ukraine, we hired two refugees. Whilst I could perhaps go some way to imagining the trauma of leaving your home with kids... I had literally no appreciation of how hard it was to integrate into a new country as a refugee, even into places like the UK. No information. Struggles with the language. Hard to get accommodation. Months to get a bank account. Minimal or no financial support. Don't know how to access healthcare. Challenges with getting kids into education? Can't get a job... There must be an app for that right? Wrong. We spent weeks simply trying to help Maksym and Karina. 'This is the UK, there must be something we're missing?'. We called up NGO partners... We called up Government departments... 'Where's your app?' 'Where's your information pages'? 'Where's the services you provide?' Some do exist, but based on our survey of 300 refugees, very few knew where to find them. How would they? So, we decided to try to solve this and have embarked on a huge project to help millions of refugees to realise their potential. Today on World Refugee Day, we are proud to announce that we are developing 'Beacon' - an app, and tailored services, to provide displaced people with the information and support needed to succeed in a new host country. We’ve been working with some of the world’s leading companies – Deloitte, Wise, Clifford Chance, DLA Piper… 17 NGOs and hundreds of refugees, to design and build Beacon with the goal of creating a platform that will impact millions of people around the world. We're currently piloting Beacon with 250 refugees and 250 professional career mentors from our partner companies. I'll be posting more about this over the coming weeks, but would now like to invite other organisations to join us, with opportunities for corporate mentoring/volunteering, hiring refugee talent, providing products and services, sponsorship… Only a community of companies can really make a difference here. So come and join us.

In honor of World Refugee Day on June 20th, we celebrate and recognize the resilience and invaluable contributions of refugees in our communities. Did you know refugees play a significant role in our economy as both earners and taxpayers? In 2019, the 2.4 million refugees in the US collectively earned a collective $93.6 billion in household income, contributing $25 billion in taxes. This left them with a substantial $68.6 billion in disposable income, which they use to support US businesses. However, refugees aren’t just earners; they're also entrepreneurs. In 2019, nearly 188,000 refugee entrepreneurs were making waves in various industries, surpassing other international newcomer groups. Their entrepreneurial spirit drives innovation and generates substantial business income, totaling $5.1 billion that year. These contributions extend beyond individual success stories. In states like California, Texas, North Carolina, Michigan, and Massachusetts, refugees wield significant spending power, totaling billions of dollars. In California alone, their spending power exceeds $20.7 billion, showcasing their profound impact on local economies nationwide. Rise Together is proud to work alongside the refugee community and refugee-serving organizations across the USA. Today, we celebrate you! https://lnkd.in/e_6kK7jx American Immigration Council #transformationtuesday #worldrefugeeday

In the heart of refugee camps, amidst the struggles and challenges, lies an untapped well of potential waiting to be discovered. Refugees are not just individuals fleeing adversity; they are resilient souls equipped with a diverse set of skills and talents. It's time for businesses and employers to recognize the value that refugees bring to the table and break free from preconceived notions. A refugee is not defined solely by their status but by the wealth of opportunities and capabilities they possess. Refugee camps have become incubators for talent, showcasing individuals who have adapted, learned, and excelled in various fields. These men and women are not just survivors; they are thriving and showcasing their skills in unexpected areas. By working with refugees, businesses can tap into a pool of motivated individuals who can contribute significantly to the success and growth of any organization. It's crucial to dispel the misconception that refugees should be left behind or neglected due to their status. Anyone, under different circumstances, could find themselves seeking refuge. Companies, CEOs, and founders have a unique opportunity to make a positive impact by hiring and supporting refugees. By providing employment opportunities, not only are businesses contributing to global humanitarian efforts, but they are also gaining access to a skilled and dedicated workforce. Refugees possess skills that extend beyond survival – they are adept in areas such as digital marketing, online promotions, and various other digital skills. It's time to recognize and harness this potential. By hiring refugees, companies not only enrich their teams with diverse perspectives but also contribute to the empowerment and integration of a marginalized community. Let's build a world where refugees are not just survivors but thriving contributors to society. #RefugeeEmpowerment #HireRefugees #UnlockingPotential #RefugeesHaveSkills

We are fast approaching Refugee Week 2024 (June 17th - 23rd) 🎉 This year we're starting a refugee employment forum to give business leaders and refugees the opportunity to ask questions and learn from others. A powerful way to break down barriers and open up opportunities. 👉 Save the link to the forum (live on the 17th June): https://loom.ly/ARWlQyE Your answers to questions on the forum could help bring about change. For refugees, this means learning valuable insights from anyone who works in the UK. And for business leaders, it means learning from refugees to create more inclusive and refugee-friendly workplaces. Anyone with a job in the UK and/or who is from a refugee background should be able to answer some, or all, of the questions. It doesn't matter what you do, what level you're at, or the industry you work in - everyone will have something to offer. 💙 #RefugeeWeek #BusinessBehindRefugees

📣 The NESsT Refugee Employment Initiative has been named ‘Impact Initiative of the Year: Europe’ in Environmental Finance’s 2023 IMPACT Awards. The award recognizes the NESsT Refugee Employment Initiative’s commitment to accelerating businesses that can create or sustain quality job opportunities for refugees and migrants in Poland and Romania. As of June 2023, the initiative has supported portfolio enterprises to provide 3,800 refugees with long-term employment support, including career training, quality job opportunities, and wraparound services, to boost their financial autonomy and resilience. 💬 "Refugees from war are among the most vulnerable people and NESsT's positive impact should be highly evaluated," shared one IMPACT Awards judge. Another stated that the program was a "very compelling impact story." Launched in partnership with IKEA Social Entrepreneurship and Cisco Foundation, the NESsT Refugee Employment Initiative has also worked with its enterprises to create 340 jobs for refugees and migrants and equipped over 1,250 refugees with skills development training, language courses, and legal support. Earlier this year, the initiative was recognized as Social Fund of the Year, Europe by Environmental Finance. ✨ Congratulations to all winners of this year’s IMPACT awards: Adenia Partners Actis Church Commissioners for England Suma Capital Greater Manchester Pension Fund Patron Capital The World Bank BancoBPM Micro Connect | 滴灌通 Sustainable Investment Management Make My Money Matter Hybar Sicredi NextEnergy Solar Fund (NESF) Mirova Nuveen, a TIAA company Natural Investments Mathilde Dufour ICEBERG DATA LAB Vital Capital Avenue Capital Group Praxis Mutual Funds Aqualia Catherine Macaulay, CFA BTG Pactual Conservation International Channel Read more about the 2023 Impact Initiative of the Year: Europe here🗞: https://bit.ly/REI_award You can read more about the NESsT Refugee Employment Initiative here: https://bit.ly/REI_LP #IKEASocialEntrepreneurship #CiscoFoundation #NESsT #NESsTRefugeeEmploymentInitiative

How is your organisation marking Refugee Week? Refugee Week provides organisations and individuals alike an opportunity to celebrate the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees around the world. But with our recent Refugees At Work (2024) research showing that 40% of hiring managers were unsure of the law around hiring refugees, we know there is still much to be done to support refugees to enter and thrive in the workplace. In her latest article, Marianna Zajac, Senior Research Psychologist, looks at how organisations can best support refugees at work. Her article covers: - The main findings of our Refugees' At Work research - 3 ways organisations can better support refugees at work - What refugee week is and why it's important Read here in full: https://lnkd.in/eakvA5vs #RefugeeWeek #SimpleActs #InclusiveCulture #DEI #Research

Livelihood programs in the refugee context are one of the ways to help rebuild the lives of displaced persons including refugees. Entrepreneurship programs place refugees on a path toward self-reliance and economic empowerment and help to restore their dignity. Displacement strips refugees of their dignity. Men and women who were once successful in their countries of origin often find themselves living from hand to mouth and, sometimes being dependent on aid while seeking asylum. By engaging in economic empowerment programs, refugees begin to take back power to make decisions concerning their well-being and that of their households. The article below by my colleagues highlights the work we do at RefugePoint. https://lnkd.in/dC-2TBVm

Nebraska is proactively addressing its manufacturing labor shortage by training refugees, and the program extends to include non-manufacturing employers, broadening its impact. This initiative has been highly welcomed by the refugee community, who often face significant challenges in finding stable employment due to language barriers. By offering targeted training, the program equips refugees with essential skills, enhancing their job prospects and economic stability. This innovative approach not only benefits refugees but also provides employers with a skilled workforce, fostering a more inclusive community and effectively addressing local labor market challenges. Learn more via: https://buff.ly/3yQELL9 Nebraska Public Media #MidwestUrbanStrategies #Nebraska #RefugeeSupport #JobTraining #WorkforceDevelopment #LaborShortage #ManufacturingJobs #EconomicInclusion #CommunityEmpowerment #EmploymentOpportunities #SkillsTraining #InclusiveEconomy #WorkforceSolutions #RefugeeEmployment #SkilledLabor #JobIntegration #EconomicGrowth #LanguageSupport #CareerDevelopment #LocalEconomy #DiversityInclusion #EmploymentPrograms #RefugeeResettlement #IndustryCollaboration

Thrive Refugee Enterprise today released its latest client economic findings that adds more than 750 small businesses to the Australian economy, contributing over $60Million per annum. Huy Truong, Thrive Refugee Enterprise Co-founder and Executive Chairman, says: "For Thrive to have achieved this economic outcome for arrived refugees in Australia is testament to their entrepreneurial spirit, work ethic and determination. It’s also an endorsement of Thrive’s strategy to apply $15Million of financial capital, commercial analysis and support to refugees that have largely been excluded from mainstream business credit markets. We would like to acknowledge partners who have provided funding support to enable Thrive to operate. These include some of Australia’s key philanthropic foundations, Westpac and the Australia Government.” Link to full media release https://lnkd.in/gAg6pAAc Huy Truong Martin Parkinson Christine Holgate Cath Scarth Sandy Chakravarty FCPA GAICD Yung Ngo, GAICD Bernie Nott Alexi Boyd Westpac Australia Post Department of Employment and Workplace Relations Refugee Council of Australia Andrew Giles #refugeeweekaustralia2024

As someone who constantly examine concepts and theories, challenging them to discover and implement improved approaches, I am reflecting on this nomination and being a finalist, so please bare with me and I'm sorry for the a bit long post 😅. While the notion of empowerment and its associated initiatives may seem appealing, they often fall short of addressing the essential systemic changes required. To begin with, the very concept of "empowerment" suggests a transfer or bestowal of power from one entity to another, inadvertently perpetuating existing power imbalances and reinforcing the misconception that power must be granted rather than shared equally. Furthermore, by placing emphasis on empowering individuals or communities, there is a risk of diverting attention from the critical need to tackle broader structural and systemic issues that underlie marginalization and disempowerment. In addition to the aforementioned considerations, it is imperative to underscore the significance of altering narratives in effecting genuine progress towards systemic change. The term "empowerment" carries with it a colonial undertone, insinuating that power must be bestowed upon those perceived as lacking it, often by external entities or institutions, a notion that is inherently problematic. The individuals, communities, youth, refugees, and all those we engage with and advocate for inherently possess power and knowledge. The key lies in practicing humility, recognizing this inherent power within ourselves, and embracing a collective responsibility to distribute power, resources, and privileges equally among us. This shift in mindset and practice is essential to cultivate a more inclusive and just society where power is shared rather than imposed. As a finalist, it is crucial for me to acknowledge that this designation does not imply superiority over anyone, especially not over the community to which I belong—the refugee community. Rather, it signifies that I have been afforded this opportunity due to the privilege of my current circumstances. It is essential to recognize this privilege and use it to advocate and take actions to opening doors to refugees and immigrants, sharing resources equitably with them. By embracing inclusivity and distributing resources fairly, we can create a more supportive environment where awards are not just earned but also used to address crucial needs within the community. Moreover, I take immense pride in being nominated by one of the youth I collaborate with. The insights and experiences shared by these young individuals have been invaluable to me, and I continue to learn with and from them. This mutual exchange of knowledge and perspectives underscores the importance of listening to and valuing the contributions of youth in shaping a more inclusive and empathetic society. Thanks to my colleagues and management at World Education Services, the partners, and the youth who are embracing this learning journey with me.