Refugees and Migrant Workers: Pathways to Dignity, Work, and Inclusion

​Event Description
Displacement is rising globally, driven by conflict, climate change, and economic instability. Yet systems designed to support refugees and migrants often fall short, limiting access to rights, livelihoods, and long-term inclusion.

This discussion explores how to move beyond short-term humanitarian responses toward approaches that enable dignity, agency, and economic opportunity. What does it take to support refugees and migrants not just to survive, but to build sustainable livelihoods, from microenterprise to participation in the informal and formal economy?

We will examine the intersections of migration with gender, labor rights, and climate, including the experiences of domestic workers, migrant laborers, and refugee youth. The session will also explore the role of technology and data in improving response systems, from health services to forecasting displacement, and how to ensure these tools are used ethically and effectively.

Central to the conversation is the need to center refugee leadership and lived experience, ensuring that policies, programs, and funding reflect the realities of those most affected. Bringing together practitioners, advocates, and innovators, this session will explore how to build systems that support integration, wellbeing, and opportunity in a displaced world.

​Speakers

• ​Angela Benedicto is Executive Director of WoteSawa Domestic Workers Organization, advocating for the rights and protection of domestic workers and vulnerable children.

• ​Aral Surmeli is Executive Director of HERA Digital Health, building AI-powered tools to improve healthcare access for displaced populations.

• ​Cathy Riley is Strategic Partnership Director at Flowminder Foundation.

• ​Jennifer Irons is Founder of Skates4Mates, using arts and culture to drive social impact.

• ​Suzanne Ling is Co-Founder of PichaEats.

• ​Dekow Sagar is Founder & CEO of the International Council for Refugees and Immigrants, advancing solutions for refugee communities.

• ​Bahati Maganjo is Technical Advisor for Refugee Leadership and Refugee-Centered Programming at RefugePoint, advancing meaningful refugee participation across systems and programs.

• ​Sr. M. Josephine Amala Valarmathi Muthu is Chief Functionary of The Tamilnadu Domestic Workers Welfare Trust, advancing rights and livelihoods for marginalized communities.

​Discussion Questions
What are the biggest barriers preventing refugees and migrants from accessing dignified work and inclusion?
How can systems better support refugee-led solutions and leadership?
What role can technology and data play in improving migration and humanitarian responses?
How do gender, labor rights, and climate intersect in shaping migration experiences and outcomes?