Fridoon, refugee from Afghanistan, filmmaker, founder and director of Joinda Production shared his inspiring yet challenging journey towards integration during the roundtable discussions. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
How can companies harness refugees’ skills and boost productivity? In what way can refugee support become an integral part of a company’s social responsibility strategy? What advantages does integration offer to the host society, labour market and refugees themselves? What obstacles do refugees face in their effort to integrate and access employment in Greece?
These thought-provoking questions were at the heart of a novel event held in Athens on 10 October 2023, at the initiative of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Athens, the Hellenic-Dutch Association of Commerce and Industry (HeDA) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. The event brought together CEOs and representatives from the corporate, intergovernmental, humanitarian and refugee communities. It included insightful round-table discussions that delved into various thematic areas, all emphasizing the pivotal role of employment in promoting refugee integration and spurring economic growth.
Ms. Pavlina Penlidi, Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding Manager at Mitsis Hotels Group,shared her company’s experience in employing refugees. She addressed the key challenges encountered and how these were effectively managed, highlighting the positive impact on both their business and the wider community. Diana Abinamba from Cameroon, care worker at a clinic for people with disabilities, and Fridoon Joinda from Afghanistan, filmmaker, founder and director of Joinda Production, shared their inspiring yet challenging journeys towards integration. Their stories served as testaments to the resilience and potential that refugees bring.
H.E. Susanna Terstal, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Greece, underlined in her opening note the benefits of successfully integrating refugees into the labour market. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
Yiannis Kantoros, CEO of INTERAMERICAN and President of HeDA, during the opening of the event. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
Maria Clara Martin, UNHCR Representative in Greece, in her opening remarks reminding everyone that being refugee is not a choice but how we act and how we respond is. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
Pavlina Penlidi, Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding Manager at Mitsis Hotels Group is sharing her company’s experience in employing refugees. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
During the event, UNHCR staff presented the agency’s work and programmes aimed at facilitating refugee employability and integration in Greece. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
During the roundtable discussions, Dianga, refugee from Cameroon and careworker at a clinic for people with disabilities, shared her inspiring yet challenging journey towards integration. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
H.E. Susanna Terstal, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Greece, Maria Clara Martin, UNHCR Representative in Greece, and Mr. Yiannis Kantoros, CEO of INTERAMERICAN and President of HeDA, organisers of the “Work for the Future” event. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
UNHCR presented its work and programmes aimed at facilitating refugee employability and integration in Greece. UNHCR staff also shared examples of how the organization works together with the private sector to deliver solutions and results both for refugees and businesses, developing win-win partnerships.
The event was hosted by the INTERAMERICAN Hellenic Insurance Company in Athens. In his opening note, Mr. Yiannis Kantoros, CEO of INTERAMERICAN and President of HeDA, welcomed the discussions as an opportunity to understand better what refugees can do for Greece, through the interesting set skills and expertise they bring, but also what the host community, including the business sector, can do for them.
H.E. Susanna Terstal, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Greece, underlined the benefits of successfully integrating refugees into the labour market, a process which may not be easy but is hugely important and beneficial both for refugees and the host society.
On her part, Maria Clara Martin, UNHCR Representative in Greece, reminded everyone that being refugee is not a choice but how we act and how we respond to refugees is. She underscored the importance for companies to support refugee integration and drive positive change, to the benefit of all.
As the discussions of the day came to a close, participants left the event with a shared commitment to turn ideas into actions and words into initiatives. The closing moments marked not the end but the beginning of a promise to work closely together towards a more inclusive, prosperous and equitable future, where everyone has a chance to thrive and contribute.
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