Call for applicants: Interested in sharing your experiences as a refugee?

Shorok from Syria, currently living in Estonia, talked to UNHCR at the Paide Opinion Festival about her experiences. © Kristofer Robin Kirsiste, Arvamusfestival

UNHCR’s Representation for the Nordic and Baltic Countries is launching a Refugee Speakers Programme as an initiative for aspiring public speakers who are passionate about telling their story and advocating for the refugee cause. We want to support persons with refugee background in strengthening their skills and public speaking capacity in order to amplify their voices and stories.

The programme will start as a pilot project for a small group of persons with refugee background in Sweden and will take place during the first half of 2022. Through the programme, participants will have the opportunity to take part in workshops on public speaking, storytelling, the global refugee situation and UNHCR’s work as well as receive one-to-one coaching in public speaking. The programme is run in cooperation with TEDxStockholm.

Who can apply?

Recognized refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection above the age of 18 and residing in Sweden are welcome to apply. There are limited spaces for this first pilot programme and UNHCR will respect and prioritize diversity in the selection of participants. Working level English and Swedish language skills are required – and applicants need to feel comfortable speaking publicly in either English or Swedish.

We are looking for participants who are willing to tell their personal story and are interested in advocating for the refugee cause, locally or globally.

What does the programme include?

• 3-5 workshops will be held virtually and start early 2022 (dates to be shared later).
• Individual coaching sessions will be held in the first half of 2022 via TEDxStockholm. The sessions can be held virtually or physically, depending on logistics – to be agreed on between coach and mentee.

At the end of the programme, participants will be expected to be available to speak at 1-2 engagements and events facilitated by UNHCR or our partners. This is to be agreed bilaterally according to interests, availability and opportunities. We also encourage participants to themselves explore potential speaking opportunities.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]

Deadline for applications: 1 December

APPLY HERE

What to highlight in your application:

• What do you hope to gain from the programme?
• What stories do you want to share?
• Do you have any prior experience with public speaking or engaging in public discourse?
• What are three things about you that you would like us to know?

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