In this compelling episode of Voices of Resilience, host Clay Lowe sits down with Daniela Alba, an advocacy and communications specialist at Jesuit Refugee Service in Rome. Daniela shares her powerful personal story as a Mestizo woman from Colombia who experienced forced displacement as a child and has since dedicated her career to fighting for the rights of forcibly displaced people worldwide.

Together, they unpack the evolving landscape of labor rights in the digital economy, the increasing exploitation of vulnerable workers, and the systemic challenges facing forcibly displaced individuals. Daniela provides insight into the post-pandemic shift in labor policies, the lack of protection for climate migrants, and the grassroots advocacy efforts driving change.

In this episode, host Clay Lowe speaks with Giselle Gonzalez, Founder and CEO of EqualReach, and Susan Achiech, Founder of Tech-Femme Algorithms and a full-stack developer from Kakuma refugee camp. Together, they explore how transitioning from traditional freelancing to team-based project work can create meaningful opportunities for displaced talent. Giselle shares how EqualReach connects skilled refugee talent with global businesses through streamlined processes, while Susan discusses her journey as a South Sudanese leading Tech-Femme Algorithms, a platform training refugees in tech skills. 

The two guests delve into the challenges refugees face in freelancing, including steep competition and limited visibility, and highlight how team-based models foster shared learning, collaboration, and better outcomes. 

Susan also reflects on her mentorship experience with Giselle through Na’amal, gaining critical skills in client management and confidence. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of building trust, addressing systemic barriers such as platform access and payment systems, and fostering collaboration across sectors to unlock the digital economy for marginalized communities. 

With actionable insights for businesses, displaced talent, and the broader ecosystem, this episode is a powerful reminder of the potential for resilience and transformation. Don’t miss Giselle’s and Susan’s inspiring takeaways: “Trust is our most valuable currency,” and “There is no shame in not knowing; that’s the only way you can learn.”

In this episode of Voices of Resilience, we explore the transformative potential of Jobtech in fostering inclusivity for refugees. Guests Brenda from the Jobtech Alliance and Simon from the African Youth Action Network, share their expertise, highlighting innovative approaches to reducing barriers, empowering displaced individuals, and integrating them into the digital economy. Key topics include scaling tech-enabled skilling platforms, bridging gaps in digital literacy and advanced training, and addressing systemic challenges like asset access and ecosystem fragmentation. They also discuss the importance of mentorship, mindset shifts, and collaboration between private and humanitarian sectors. Tune in to discover how job tech is reshaping the future of work for refugees and creating sustainable pathways to economic resilience.

In this episode of Voices of Resilience, host Clay Lowe speaks with Rai Friedman, founder and CEO of Global Rights Defenders, about the impact of government policies on refugee employment, using Kenya as a key case study. Rai shares her journey into refugee advocacy and highlights the importance of migration governance in creating sustainable solutions for refugee integration. The discussion explores Kenya’s innovative policies under the Global Compact for Refugees (GCR), such as transitioning refugee camps into settlements, which have fostered economic growth and social harmony for both refugees and host communities.

Key topics include the barriers to refugee employment, such as restrictive work policies and limited access to formal jobs, and the potential of digital work to empower refugees, despite challenges like lack of ID recognition and banking access. Rai emphasizes the need for inclusive policies and grassroots efforts to bridge gaps between law and practice, enabling refugees to contribute economically and socially. This episode underscores the importance of collaboration among nations and organizations to address the global refugee crisis and unlock opportunities for integration and self-reliance.

In this episode, we delve into the opportunities offered by digital platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Appen, as well as specialized platforms like NaTakallam and Step Up One, which leverage refugees' unique skills in areas such as language tutoring and cultural exchange. Emerging platforms like CrowdGen by Appen are also highlighted for their adaptability in supporting refugee workers.

The episode emphasizes the importance of soft skills for digital success, including communication, time management, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity. We also address the significant challenges faced by refugees, such as digital literacy gaps, payment barriers, and legal obstacles, while exploring emerging trends like platform cooperatives, microtasking platforms, blockchain technology, and AI integration.

Our guests share actionable tips for building strong client relationships, such as delivering high-quality work, maintaining clear communication, and focusing on professionalism. Key messages include the transformative power of digital skills, strategies to overcome systemic barriers, the critical role of soft skills, and freelancing as a viable career path leading to professional growth and entrepreneurship. 

In this episode, we focus on education and skill development for the future of work, with guests Laura Jardine Patterson, founder of CONCAT, and Justin Justin Paluku Mbunzule, a data analyst and Kenyan refugee involved in supporting other refugees in Uganda. 

Justine founded UP With Africa and supported MIT ReaCT in opening their Hub in Uganda at a center where he taught other refugees about IT. Justin, a refugee in Uganda, emphasizes the need for access to advanced education and technology to empower refugees to pursue self-sufficient careers in tech.

Laura's company, CONCAT, employs refugees and women in web design, promoting inclusive employment in tech. She highlights the importance of non-traditional education paths and personal development over formal degrees for sustainable employment in marginalized communities. 

Both guests discuss the challenges faced by refugees, including limited resources like internet access and technology and barriers to traditional education. They advocate for more holistic support in skill development, combining education, technology access, and financial stability. The episode also explores the benefits of remote work and the importance of community-building for displaced individuals.

This episode explores the intersection of AI technology and refugee employment, featuring Jina Krause-Vilmar, President and CEO of Upwardly Global, and Blein Alem, a network admin and IT support professional. The discussion delves into the potential of AI to empower refugees and immigrants in their career journeys, as well as the challenges they face in accessing and utilizing AI tools for career development. Jina and Blein share insights on the impact of AI on workforce programs, the need for inclusivity in AI design, and the potential for AI to enhance human potential. They also discuss the importance of upskilling and leveraging AI for career development, emphasizing the role of organizations in providing guidance and resources for individuals from underrepresented communities.

Jina's emphasis on the need for AI to be designed with and for refugee communities, ensuring that the data used to train AI models is representative of diverse backgrounds, sheds light on the challenges faced by refugees in accessing and utilizing AI tools for career development. Blein's personal experiences as a refugee and IT professional provide a firsthand account of the barriers encountered in accessing AI tools and knowledge, particularly in regions where such resources may not be readily available. Hearing from these two perspectives sheds light on the importance of inclusive AI design and the potential of AI to empower refugees through upskilling and accessing relevant resources. Their voices address the existing challenges and barriers to ensure that AI tools are inclusive and beneficial for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

In our latest podcast episode, Chris Maclay, Program Director at Jobtech Alliance, explores the changing landscape of work in Africa, highlighting the transformative role of "Jobtech" platforms. 

He shares how digital platforms are now a necessity to connect people to job opportunities, including those from marginalised groups like refugees and women. Chris also discusses the importance of digital upskilling and adaptability as critical components for a workforce increasingly influenced by AI and remote work. 

The episode explores questions like how can job tech platforms facilitate access to jobs? Can they start connecting workers to both local and global markets? And finally, are jobtech platforms offering alternative routes to income? The conversation tackles these questions while examining the challenges and opportunities AI brings to the job market in Africa. 

Tune in to discover all the insights that reflect a nuanced vision of the future of work, where platforms not only provide employment but also foster community, innovation, and resilience in the African workforce.

Season 2 of the Voices of Resilience podcast themed 'The Future of Work for Refugees' dives deeper into the intersection of technology and remote work, specifically focusing on how these factors impact forcibly displaced individuals and refugees. In Season 1, the podcast amplified the voices of refugees, sharing their personal journeys, challenges, and successes in securing dignified livelihoods. This season builds on that by bringing in experts from the fields of migration, technology, and the future of work paired with individuals experiencing displacement to discuss how innovations like artificial intelligence and digital tools can transform access to work for refugees and displaced communities.

Throughout Season 2, listeners will hear from a range of guest speakers who explore critical themes such as the role of technology in creating inclusive employment opportunities, the impact of digital economies on refugee workforces, and the future of freelance work. The season aims to shift the narrative around refugees, highlighting their potential as skilled contributors to the digital workforce while exploring practical solutions for long-term, sustainable employment. This season will also examine key issues like education, policy development, and how to ensure that remote work is truly accessible to refugees across the globe.

In this teaser for Season 2, Na’amals’ Executive Director Lorraine Charles, highlights Na’amals’ work over the past year, including the release of their impact report and the launch of two new projects in Kenya and Ethiopia. These initiatives support refugees and host communities in accessing remote employment. She also shares news about an exciting new research project, funded by the World Bank, which aims to explore the impact of training and support for refugees to secure remote work. Stay connected with Na’amal on social media for more updates and insights!