Sistech’s Post

Have you ever considered the obstacles refugees face in accessing basic rights like mobility? Global Rights Defenders’ Resident Writer, Luwam Mebrahtu Gebrehiwet, addresses the challenges refugees encounter with travel documents, which are crucial yet often misrecognized and burdened by bureaucratic obstacles. These documents are essential for education, work, and family reunification, but systemic barriers limit refugees’ access and opportunities. Luwam shares her personal struggle with expired travel documents and calls for better consular training and streamlined processes to help refugees rebuild their lives. #refugeerights #traveldocuments #accesstoopportunity #SDG10 #GRDcommunity https://lnkd.in/ejprheX4

One of the best contemporary art projects I have seen recently is the "Refurental" project exhibited at the DOX Museum in Prague - the project presents as a fictional refugee rental service, offering "human capital" to various sectors, including NGOs, government organizations, commercial companies, journalists, and artists. By doing so, it sharply critiques how refugees are often used as props in public discourse, marketing campaigns, and even in the art world. What makes this work particularly powerful is its multi-layered approach to addressing complex issues: 1. Commodification of Tragedy: By framing refugees as a rentable resource, the project highlights how human suffering is often transformed into a marketable commodity in our society. 2. Media Exploitation: The offer to provide "protagonists for heart-wrenching features" pointedly criticizes how media outlets sometimes prioritize sensationalism over genuine humanitarian concern. 3. Corporate Social Responsibility Facade: The artwork exposes how businesses may exploit refugee narratives for brand enhancement rather than genuine social good. 4. Art World Critique: By including artists and curators as potential clients, the project mirrors the art world, questioning the ethics of using marginalized groups for artistic gain. 5. Bureaucratic Dehumanization: The clinical, business-like language used throughout the project echoes the dehumanizing bureaucratic processes often faced by refugees. The genius of this artwork lies in its use of satire to deliver a powerful message. Adopting the language and presentation style of a legitimate service forces viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about how our society often treats refugees and other marginalized groups. This project is particularly relevant in our current global climate, where refugee crises continue to unfold, and public discourse around immigration remains heated. It challenges viewers to reconsider their consumption of media narratives and question the motivations behind seemingly charitable actions. artXchange Global https://lnkd.in/dmqwtaJj

Women for Refugee Women’s Poetry Performance at the National Poetry Library, Royal Festival Hall on World Refugee Day 2024. The theme of Refugee Week this year is ‘Our Home’ and nine beautiful women, part of Women For Refugee Women’s Drama Group, read their own poems, duet poems and group poems to a totally captivated audience. Their words were really throat-achingly, soul-deepeningly touching and full of solidarity, resistance and joy. Contemplating where and what home is, questing for belonging, the reality of hostels in the UK, trees of longed for villages and searching for peace. Please do support Women 4 Refugee Women’s mission to support women with compassion, dignity and respect who are seeking safety in the UK to rebuild life on their own terms. 📢 Say it loud and say it clear, refugees are welcome here. 📣 Trust every truth, welcome every woman. 🔈 Sisters not strangers. If you, like us, want to counteract the hate, fear-mongering and right-wing rhetoric that is being spewed out (arguably at an even faster rate during this current election period) there is plenty that we can do: 📚 reading books - whether fiction or non-fiction - and discover the real stories and heartfelt perspectives of refugees and asylum seekers; 🎥 watch a film and see the world through someone else’s eyes and connect with their experiences; 🫂 show up in person to events like these, and protests, volunteer, so our solidarity is visual; 📝 use the power of our pens: ask our prospective MPs what they will be doing to support refugee women and all refugees. Sign the online pledge to become part of a strong, compassionate & caring community on Women for Refugee Women’s website. 🖥️ intentionally curate our social media channels and follow organisations & individuals that are speaking up on these issues; 📣 speak up when family and friends use negative language and help them to look beyond the headlines - we can all be part of the loving movement to counter prejudiced rhetoric within our own networks and communities; 🫶 donate either through supporting initiatives like @giveyourbest.uk or directly to charities like @4refugeewomen - monthly donations are particularly needed. https://lnkd.in/g2T_fYcV

Challenges to accessing, obtaining and renewing CTD (Conventional Travel Document) is the experience of many other refugees around the world. Even when it is obtained, the immigration staffs at the borders and airports question its legitimacy. My colleague Luwam Mebrahtu Gebrehiwet shares her experience by highlight how these challenges affect refugees' education, work opportunities and family reunification due to limited freedom of movement. Check out her article below to learn more:

🌍 Imagine a world where everyone forced to flee can build a brighter future. In #Jordan 🇯🇴, 32 #refugees have turned their challenges into powerful stories of hope and resilience. Drawing on their personal journeys, they bring unique perspectives, compassion, and determination to their roles with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, uplifting their communities every step of the way. Their work with #UNHCR is not just about redefining their own futures but also about inspiring those around them. By empowering their communities and proving that dreams can thrive even in the face of adversity, they showcase the incredible impact of #resilience. 📄 For me, crafting articles that shine a light on such inspiring journeys has always been one of the most fulfilling parts of my role. Telling stories that humanize complex issues, from #displacement to #development, helps the world better understand the strength and potential of those affected. Everyone deserves to be heard. Everyone forced to flee deserves hope, dignity, and a chance to build a better future.

Celebrate Refugee Week with us! Here are 10 simple ways you can get involved in the global celebration of Refugee Week no matter where you are. We'd love to see how you're getting involved in Refugee Week this year! Tag your posts #RefugeeWeekAU so we can share your celebrations. #RefugeeWeek2024 #RefugeeWeek

A thought-provoking article! The existence of a "duty to be grateful", if imposed only upon refugees, implies obligations that are distinct from those already imposed upon ordinary citizens. But do these exist? For example, one way a refugee is often expected to show gratitude is by respecting and complying with the laws of the asylum state-- but this is a duty imposed upon all who live in that country. What additional obligations, then, is such a "duty to be grateful" going to impose on refugees? And on what basis can these additional obligations be justified?

The title of this article is intriguing. Do refugees have a duty to be grateful to their receiving countries? If yes, why? I would summarize this by saying: this is SAVIOR mentality! As a former refugee, I have mixed feelings just reading the title before I read the piece itself: Firstly; I have not met a single refugee who doesn’t appreciate the generosity of their receiving communities/countries. It’s heartbreaking and challenging for refugees to be forced out of their homes/countries. Having a new community to welcome and support refugees to rebuild their lives, is always greatly appreciated by refugees including me. Secondly, why should refugees bear a gratitude burden? When refugees are resettled in a new community or country, they become great contributors to their host community. This benefits both refugees and their hosts. A 2024 study by HHS found that refugees and asylees contributed $124 Billion to the U.S. economy in the span of 15 years(https://lnkd.in/gNkqcw6D). In the long-run, receiving countries benefit more from refugees. Some receiving states are major contributors to the creation of refugees, some through funding and arming rebel groups. With this practice, it’s unfair to expect refugees to be grateful to their host countries when they play a major role in forcing them out of their home countries. This is hypocrisy. For resettlement to a 3rd country, less than 1% of the total number of registered refugees is resettled. The majority of refugees remain in limbo with no hope of returning to their home countries nor local integration. But, this presents a wider problem. Refugess are expected to be beneficiaries of aid and be grateful to their saviors. Some studies show how loyal refugees are for employment, retention and other aspects of life. We rarely ask why. I have been in spaces where I’m seen as a “refugee boy”. This is regardless of my education, successful career as a global nonprofit leader and entrepreneur. Refugees pay attention to their environment and have to navigate and survive in it, work extra hard and go beyond to impress the system because of the savior mentality. The savior mentality is real. How can the SAVIOR mentality end? Share your thoughts:

Eid vibes day 2,,, A #Rohingya refugee shop keeper,, He has been doing business since last 10 years in his refugee life,, #rohingyarefugeecamp #businesssuccess #streetphotography #streetart #documentaryphotography #storytellingphotography #refugeestories

🌍 Today, on World Refugee Day, I reflect on my own journey as a refugee from Tanzania. It has been 17 years since I arrived in the United States, and this day holds a special significance for me. As I think back, I am filled with admiration for the resilience and strength of my parents. They have been an incredible source of inspiration throughout my life. On this day, I am particularly reminded of my father's unwavering determination, hard work, and support. In Africa, he was a self-employed farmer and a skilled car repair mechanic. I remember his goal of one day owning his own car garage and training others in the trade. My father's dedication to his craft and his desire to empower others has left a lasting impact on me. His example has taught me the importance of perseverance, self-reliance, and the power of dreams. As I celebrate World Refugee Day, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities and support that have come my way. I am also reminded of the millions of refugees around the world who are still seeking safety, stability, and a chance to rebuild their lives. I continue to extend a helping hand, show compassion, and advocate for the rights and well-being of refugees everywhere. My hope is to create a world where every individual, regardless of their background, has the chance to flourish and contribute to society. #WorldRefugeeDay #Resilience #Dreams #Empowerment #GlobalUnity #RefugeeStories #Advocacy #HumanRights #RefugeeSupport #DiversityAndInclusion