Following a successful programme in Sweden last year, UNHCR launches the Refugee Speakers Programme in Sweden and Lithuania to amplify the voices and stories of persons with refugee background.
Participants at the launch event of the 2023 Refugee Speakers Programme had the opportunity to meet each other and TEDx coaches and to hear from the experiences of last year’s participants.
Over 100 million people have been forced to flee their homes. Every one of them has a story to tell.
Following a successful initial Refugee Speakers Programme run in Sweden last year, UNHCR has now launched the 2023 programme in Sweden – and expanded to Lithuania.
In an effort to amplify the voices of aspiring speakers with refugee background, UNHCR – together with the support of coaches from TEDxStockholm, TEDxVilnius and other TEDx organizations – is providing workshops and individual coaching for participants to develop their storytelling skills.
The participants from Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine – selected from an open-call application process – will receive training to prepare them for sharing their personal stories of being forced to flee and of re-building their lives in Sweden and Lithuania.
“With many conflicts raging around and probably more to come, it seems like any of us can suddenly become a refugee,” said Olga, one of the participants of this year’s Refugee Speakers Programme, who fled to Sweden from Ukraine. “Listening to the stories directly from the people forced to flee will hopefully create a kinder world with better informed society.”
During the launch of the programme, the participants had the opportunity to meet each other and coaches from TEDx. The participants were also joined by last year’s speakers who shared their best advice – on deciding what story to tell, how to memorize a speech, and what participants can learn from each other.
The programme will come to a close on World Refugee Day, 20 June, when participants will share their stories in front of a live audience in Stockholm and Lithuania.
Click here to read more about the programme and listen to the stories from the 2022 Refugee Speakers Programme.
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