‘Portraits of Talent’ Sheds Light on the Employment Challenges and Successes of Displaced Workers

MIT Emerging Talent at the Jameel World Education Lab develops global education programs for talented individuals from the most challenging economic and social circumstances by equipping them with knowledge and tools to advance their education and careers. Working with Na’amal and the Karam Foundation, Emerging Talent organizes the annual Migration Summit, a global convening designed to build bridges between diverse communities of displaced learners, universities, companies, social enterprises, policy makers, employers, and governments around the key challenges and opportunities for refugee and migrant communities.

This year’s Migration Summit explored the theme “Unlocking and Engaging Talent: Pathways for Dignified Work.” To showcase the human side of the job search and employment experience for displaced individuals, the organizing team collected stories into a Portraits of Talent online gallery wall.

Na’amal team members Tessa Davis and Miriam Delgado share more below about the gallery. This article originally appeared on the Migration Summit website.

The Migration Summit is thrilled to announce the launch of its Portraits of Talent gallery wall. This page highlights and celebrates the diverse community of displaced individuals worldwide while providing a glimpse of their job search and employment experiences. By placing the faces of talent at the forefront, we showcase the human side of the story.

In this article, we provide a preview of some of the stories and reflections from the global talents shared to encourage the readers to take a deeper dive into the page. Some of the questions that guided these portraits were: Have you experienced any challenges when finding work that matches your skills and qualifications? What was your experience? What advice would you give your younger self?

From facing discrimination and legal barriers, to fighting to have their qualifications recognized, to navigating job markets providing them inappropriate roles, all of them have faced some kind of challenge that makes their story unique, and showcases the many multifaceted barriers and existing gaps.

Below, we share some highlights of their answers but encourage you to navigate the gallery wall.

Stories from the field

Mudadi Saidi has been actively involved in environmental campaigns, particularly focusing on zero waste and plastic-free initiatives in Kakuma. His commitment to environmental sustainability led him to join the Global Youth Coalition training and participate in the Oxford Net Zero program.

Ayuk Peterkings is a Cameroonian refugee living in the Adagom refugee settlement in Nigeria. He is a Social Entrepreneurship Trainer and Facilitator for Sorex  Nigeria empowering refugees through skills acquisition and livelihoods. He has expertise in accounting and refugee studies and combines it with training, leadership and advocacy in the field. He describes himself as committed, creative, passion driven and wants to make lasting solutions for refugee education and livelihoods

Overcoming challenges

Joelle Nyamoga Pidi is a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, currently residing in Uganda, where she works as a Project Administrator for Hands of Hope. Despite having the necessary skills and qualifications, Joelle struggled for years to gain employment in Uganda due to her refugee status. Her status even hindered her from getting service jobs like waitressing.

Ahmed Omran Despite facing numerous adversities, including political persecution and forced displacement, he has remained committed to education and activism. Ahmed has worked with international organizations such as the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and has been actively involved in advocating for development and stability in Darfur. Although he is currently unemployed due to various challenges, including language barriers and discrimination, Ahmed believes his experiences, resilience, and determination make him a valuable addition to any team.

Advice for their younger selves

Shadrack Kabila encourages his younger self to “remain resilient and seize every opportunity for growth. Embrace volunteering as a pathway to gain valuable experience and build a network. Never underestimate the importance of continuous learning and developing skills that align with your passion. Most importantly, believe in your potential and stay determined, as perseverance can open doors you never imagined possible.”

Husna Hashim reminds himself that “someone once told me that being a refugee is a circumstance, not a person. My message to my younger self and individuals in similar situations is that our journey from our home countries to our current environments is only one chapter of our lives and does not define who we are or what we have to offer. While our circumstances put us at a disadvantage, they also drive us to pursue a safe and fulfilling life for ourselves and our families. Our experiences have taught us to be resourceful, adaptable and resilient. Stay optimistic, consider setbacks as lessons and be persistent in all your endeavors. Know that your experiences make you strong and unique.”

We warmly invite more talents to join our collection of portraits and share your experiences, advice, and encouragement with our community!