“Economic Empowerment in Focus:” Istanbul's Protection Dialogues Drive Refugee Participation!

The event named "Protection Dialogues II," organized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), took place on December 14-15. It brought together the World Academy for Local Government and Democracy Foundation (WALD), along with participants from the private sector, public institutions, UN agencies, refugee-focused organizations, entrepreneurial refugees, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), universities, cooperatives, municipalities, international organizations, and experts.

The established dialogues aimed to develop a common understanding on protection and economic participation for individuals forced to leave their countries and in need of protection. The event took place through a series of meetings designed to share initiatives, insights, and suggestions related to the economic involvement of refugees.

Over the course of the two-day event, participants focused on addressing topics such as refugees' access to livelihood sources, building their self-confidence, and enhancing resilience, with the goal of finding sustainable solutions.

Access to Livelihood Sources:

Stakeholders engaged in an exchange of ideas regarding the integration of refugees into the business world and their ability to create their own livelihood sources. Opportunities in the business world, educational possibilities, and vocational training programs were discussed.

Self-Confidence and Resilience:

Strategies for psychosocial support, education, and community integration were discussed to empower refugees socially and economically. Participants evaluated various methods for refugees to discover and enhance their own potentials.

Sustainable Solutions:

The dialogues emphasized the potential for collaboration among the private sector, public entities, and civil society in addressing sustainable solutions to ensure refugees' long-term economic independence.

At the end of the event, it was noted that the decisions made and the recommendations put forth would form the foundation for steps to support the economic participation of refugees. UNHCR stated that ongoing dialogues of this nature would provide further opportunities for collaboration and solution-building to enhance the lives of refugees.