The event, held at Impact Hub Athens on 27 June 2024, not only raised awareness about the importance of diversity and inclusion but also highlighted the tangible benefits of refugee economic inclusion for businesses and society. © UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
In a vibrant gathering, on 27 June, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the UN Global Compact Network Greece (UNGCN) joined forces to ignite discussions about how businesses can foster inclusive workplace culture and promote refugee integration through employability initiatives, to the benefit of all.
Building on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between UNHCR and UNGCN, the event explored how business diversity and inclusion practices intersect with refugee economic and social integration in Greece and can be a factor of economic growth for the country, in line with their contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – and their main tenet of leaving no one behind.
Within her introductory remarks, Ms. Sophie Daskalaki-Mytilineou, Chair of UNGCN Greece, noted “Today’s discussions are an opportunity to explore the link between refugee employment and corporate sustainable development, to learn about how and what tools UNHCR provides to facilitate business, to hear from people from the refugee community about their work experience in our country and to be inspired by good practices implemented by our members”.
Ms. Sofia Voultepsi, Deputy Minister of Migration and Asylum, said: “Employment is not only the cornerstone of integration, but also the vehicle for economic growth and social cohesion. This is why it is at the heart of our cooperation with UNHCR“.
Ms. Maria Clara Martin, UNHCR Representative in Greece, thanked both the Ministry and UNGCN for the fruitful collaboration “Investment in inclusion is one of the most powerful tools we have for finding solutions for refugees. The private sector can play a pivotal role in creating an environment where refugees can thrive, adding value to both the economy and the society”, she noted.
Business participants engaged in roundtable discussions, focusing on creating inclusive workplaces, overcoming challenges related to refugee employability in Greece, and sharing success stories from two business members of the UN Global Compact Network Greece, Sani/Ikos Hotel Group and Goody’s-Everest Group, employing refugees.
Specifically, the Sani/Ikos Hotel Group, in cooperation with the Adama Centre, operated by Catholic Relief Services and Caritas Hellas in partnership with UNHCR, has implemented an innovative training initiative for refugees, offering specialized professional training and immediate certification in the fields of catering and kitchen management, with the prospect of an immediate job offer from the Sani/Ikos Group. In the first cycle of the program, 40 participants had the opportunity to work on a priority basis in the Group’s hotels. As for the Goody’s-Everest Group, integrating refugees into its workforce has been a long-standing practice, as part of a series of policies, including the Equal Opportunities, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy, which are supported by employee training programs aimed at combating bias and promoting diversity. These initiatives have a meaningful impact by fostering an inclusive culture within the Group and strengthening the sense of belonging for all employees.
Two Afghan refugees, one working as a freelance filmmaker and the other as interpreter and personal assistant for people with disabilities, shared their personal journeys of integration, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities they encountered in the Greek labour market.
The event not only raised awareness about the importance of diversity and inclusion but also highlighted the tangible benefits of refugee economic inclusion for businesses and society. It provided ways of working with UNHCR to interconnect businesses and the target group and highlighted important employability initiatives that enhance the integration and economic empowerment of refugees.
The event was held at Impact Hub Athens with the support of the Sani/Ikos Group.
From left to right: Sophie Daskalaki-Mytilineou, Chair of UNGCN Greece; Sofia Voultepsi, Deputy Minister of Migration and Asylum; Maria Clara Martin, UNHCR Representative in Greece. © UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
Two refugees from Afghanistan, Fridoon Joinda who works as a freelance filmmaker and Yasin Gullami who is employed as an interpreter and personal assistant for people with disabilities, shared their personal journeys of integration. © UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We are present in Greece since 1952, trying to ensure the protection and integration of refugees and asylum-seekers in the country. UNHCR has developed initiatives and tools to link refugees in Greece with the labour market, implements vocational training, education and livelihoods programmes. The Office in Greece also focuses on awareness-raising activities and works with the Greek authorities, civil society actors, cities and municipalities, the private sector and the local and refugee communities to promote inclusion policies at local and national level so that refugees can thrive in and contribute to their new home.
About the UN Global Compact Network Greece
The UN Global Compact Network Greece is a local network of the largest business sustainable development initiative in the world, the United Nations (UN) Global Compact. Its purpose is to integrate the “UN Global Compact” special initiative of the UN Secretary General by calling on businesses to align their activities and strategies with the Ten Principles, covering the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption, and to contribute to achieving the SDGs. With nearly 100 participating businesses and institutions, the UN Global Compact Network Greece connects local priorities and opportunities with broader sustainable development trends. It tailors global strategies to local actions, supporting its members on their journey toward sustainable development with the expertise and credibility of the UN.
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