Joint press release
Hamza Nabil, founder of the company “Hamza Skin by Hamza Nabil” seated in Greece, who had to flee Iraq, is sharing his perspective about entrepreneurship and refugees’ access to the labour market. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
Imagine a workforce enriched by diverse experiences, innovative ideas and unwavering dedication, helping the country’s economy grow. This vision came to life on Wednesday 15 May at the American College of Greece, where the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Athens and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, hosted an exchange entitled “Refugee Integration: How Can Refugees Help Your Business Grow?” The event brought together employers and refugees to showcase the untapped potential of refugee inclusion as a catalyst for business growth and societal progress.
Setting the stage, Claudia Carydis, Vice President of Public Affairs at The American College of Greece and member of the Board of Directors of the American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, extended a warm welcome to all participants, highlighting the benefits of providing both education and employment to refugees. The American College of Greece, through the Education Unites program, offers since 2017 scholarships to refugees as a pivotal avenue for facilitating their access to better jobs.
Echoing this spirit of collaboration, Elias Spirtounias, Executive Director of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that the specific event is part of a series of synergistic activities aiming to inform the business community about available programs for harnessing the skills and education possessed by many refugees.
Dimitris Kairidis, Minister of Migration and Asylum, gave an overview of the migrant and refugee population living in Greece today and described the Government’s initiatives towards refugee integration, in collaboration with international organizations, NGOs, municipalities and the private sector, with a view to boost refugees’ employability. Reminding the audience that asylum is a Greek word and sacred notion inherited from ancient Greece, he affirmed Greece’s intention to honour international obligations towards refugee protection.
From left: Elias Spirtounias, Executive Director of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, George Tsunis, U.S. Ambassador, Dimitris Kairidis, Minister of Migration and Asylum, Maria Clara Martin, UNHCR Representative. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
Fridoon Joinda (middle), filmmaker, founder and director of Joinda Production, and a refugee from Afghanistan, shares his views about promoting equality and fostering inclusivity during a roundtable discussion. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
A representative of the Mitsis Hotels Group, a company that has already hired more than 300 refugees since 2021, is sharing the company’s perspective on refugee inclusion. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
“When you find safety, when you secure a job, then you also feel you belong”, said during the event Lorretta, a young refugee from Nigeria employed at a luxury hotel chain. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
The event included a series of engaging thematic round tables, where speakers from the private sector, the refugee community and UNHCR discussed practical steps to hire refugees. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
Anastasia Benekou (right), Durable Solutions Associate, is presenting the work of UNHCR and its partners' aimed at facilitating refugee employability. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
Elias Spirtounias, Executive Director of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, during his opening remarks at the event. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
Dimitris Kairidis, Minister of Migration and Asylum, made an opening remark at the event hosted at the premises of the American College of Greece. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
U.S. Ambassador George Tsunis, shared his family’s story during the event and advocated for facilitating access to education and employment for refugees and asylum-seekers. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
From left: Claudia Carydis, Vice President of Public Affairs at The American College of Greece and member of the Board of Directors of the American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, George Tsunis, U.S. Ambassador, Maria Clara Martin, UNHCR Representative, Alexander Costopoulos, Secretary General of the American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce. © UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
Sharing his family’s story, U.S. Ambassador George Tsunis, the son of Greek immigrants to the United States, emphasized the transformative power of opportunities and the importance of embracing inclusion. Ambassador Tsunis advocated for facilitating access to education and employment for refugees and asylum-seekers, stressing the societal and economic benefits in Greece, particularly in light of the current labour shortage.
In her intervention, Maria Clara Martin, UNHCR Representative in Greece, challenged misconceptions about refugees’ skills and potential, by providing evidence-based data which showed how investing in refugee integration and employment yields benefits for all – refugees, businesses and the society.
The event also included a series of engaging thematic round tables, where speakers from the private sector, the refugee community and UNHCR discussed practical steps to hire refugees, the employers’ experience – with Mitsis Hotels Group, a company that has already hired more than 300 refugees since 2021 sharing its perspective – and the personal stories of refugees who have successfully integrated into the labour market.
“When you find safety, when you secure a job, then you also feel you belong. Greece has become a new home for me, as I feel a strong sense of belonging here”, expressed Lorretta Uche Ekwutosi, a young refugee woman from Nigeria employed at a prestigious luxury hotel chain.
As the event drew to a close, the call to action was clear. Businesses were urged to lead by example, advocate for inclusive policies and support initiatives that are dedicated to refugee integration. By doing so, they can generate growth opportunities, foster innovation and contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous society.
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