Krish O'Mara Vignarajah’s Post

📗 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

On Labor Day, let's recognize the refugees that have played significant roles in revitalizing local and national economies. Here's to the the Somalis who helped Lewiston, Maine, become a thriving town again, and the Bosnians who did the same for St. Louis, Missouri. Here's to politicians who recognize these contributions and encourage them, such as Republican Governor of Vermont, Phil Scott. Here's to the cities committed to resettlement, such as Utica, New York's, where bringing in refugees is seen as not only as a humanitarian imperative, but as, "a pioneering economic tool for revitalizing the Rust Belt." A recent study from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that over a 15-year period (2005-2019), the positive net fiscal impact of refugees and asylees on state and national economies was nearly $124 billion. Looking at all this, Emma Lazarus's iconic words "I lift my lamp beside the golden door," take on a deeper meaning: America is not only a place of opportunity for those fleeing home, it's a country where their success contributes immeasurably to our own. https://lnkd.in/eMWeUTR3

FACT: Refugees and asylees contribute significantly to U.S. communities at the federal, state, and local level—both economically and culturally. Refugees and asylees contributed an estimated $581 billion in revenue to the U.S. economy from 2005 to 2019, and, in some cases, they pay into Social Security without reaping its benefits. Most importantly, they are our doctors and nurses, our well-known chefs, our favorite musicians, our overnight construction workers, our local shop owners, our neighbors, and so much more. Disinformation and hateful rhetoric about immigrants and refugees are everywhere…on social media, in political speeches, on the news, and beyond. At Global Refuge, we know the truth: immigrants and refugees make the United States a better place. Not only is welcoming newcomers the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. Don’t believe what you read in the comments. Get the facts. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eizRCFdH

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

"As capacity restrictions and time limits at shelters intensify, advocates say they’re scrambling to pick up the slack to keep migrant families safe — often without adequate resources." https://lnkd.in/gqDPvwNS “To meet the worldwide migration challenges of the 21st century, we need the federal government to work in partnership with states and localities to humanely and efficiently receive noncitizens who arrive after traversing oceans, harsh landscapes, and dangerous situations in the hopes of joining the fabric of America,” said Jennifer Ibañez Whitlock, Supervisory Policy & Practice Counsel at the American Immigration Lawyers Association. “[The Destination Reception Assistance Act] is a sensible solution to addressing the economic realities of certain costs currently borne by cities and states and sets them up to benefit from the long-term contributions we know that immigrants inevitably provide to receiving communities. When we invest in our shared future, we make America stronger.” READ more here: https://lnkd.in/debdNgYX

Explore the vital role immigrants and refugees play in #Seattle's community! Seattle has a rich immigrant history — from the 1890’s Klondike Gold Rush to the Vietnam War — contributing to the city’s diverse cultural landscape. Today, Seattle is home to a large refugee and immigrant population, with nearly 40% of its residents being first or second-generation immigrants, who have contributed over $31 billion to the local economy and have paid over $12.7 billion in taxes. And with 51,452 immigrant entrepreneurs in the Seattle metropolitan area alone, they are revitalizing communities and bolstering economies with their diverse cultures, traditions, and experiences. Read this insightful article to deepen your understanding of the refugee experience in Seattle and their economic and cultural contributions to their new communities: https://lnkd.in/dpRqKBxM #RevitalizingCommunities #CulturalRichness #EconomicImpact #ImmigrantEntrepreneurs #RefugeeSupport #WelcomingCity

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

📢 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 

We often fear what we do not understand. This is sadly the case when it comes to refugee resettlement, especially in communities unaccustomed to cultural, ethnic, and racial diversity. This in-depth report on local discussions of refugee resettlement in rural Sauk County, Wisconsin shows how gaps in understanding lead to fear of the unknown. https://wapo.st/3XVV2Yj To be clear, refugees enter the U.S. legally, after extensive vetting. They work and contribute much more as consumers, tenants, taxpayers, employees, and entrepreneurs than they receive in public or private assistance during their first few months. Fortunately, there are people like Shaun Harris who understand who refugees are and what is at stake: “These are people who are escaping hellish situations hoping against hope that there is a place where decent people will say, ‘You can be safe…We will help.’ And I’m hoping Wisconsin will be that kind of place…” Spread the word: refugees are not to be feared. By welcoming our newest neighbors, we enrich our communities and our lives.

🌍 Refugee Resettlement Agencies: Economic Engines in Disguise 🚀 We often think of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, World Relief, International Rescue Committee and other refugee resettlement agencies as empathic, generous and compassionate. That is absolutely true. And, if we look at the data, they are all that and much more. For example, a groundbreaking 2017 National Bureau of Economic Research study by Evans and Fitzgerald reveals these organizations are also engines of economic progress! 💪 https://lnkd.in/gcyv2SK4 Resettlement agencies don't just save lives - they drive economic growth! 📈 🔍 Key findings: Refugee workforce dynamos! 💼 - Refugees surpass U.S.-born residents in labor force participation and employment after just 6 years, despite initial barriers. - Entrepreneurship among refugees rises with time, leading to thriving businesses. Refugees' economic impact soars! 🚀  - Refugees' incomes grow rapidly as they gain experience and skills. - After 8 years, refugees become net tax contributors. - Over 20 years, refugees pay $21,000 more in taxes than benefits received on average. Of course, there is a limiting factor for even more growth: affordable and available housing. 🏘️ More units means we can further unleash our nation's economic potential. The bottom line? Refugee resettlement is both the right thing to do AND a smart investment in our shared future. 🌟 #RefugeesWelcome #ResettlementWorks #PowerOfCompassion