Learning from refugees and their experiences on World Refugee Day
Interviews
Olga Gekht, Senior Vice President and Dina Baïche, Associate Director, at Moody’s Corporation, spoke to myGwork for World Refugee Day. They explained why it’s important to raise awareness of the hurdles facing refugees and how companies and individuals can offer support and resources.
What is the significance of World Refugee Day, and why is it important to raise awareness about the challenges faced by refugees?
Olga: “World Refugee Day helps us all focus on the plight of refugees, and how we can help and provide the resources and opportunities they need. It also highlights what we can learn from refugees and their experiences and helps us recognise how refugees can benefit society and contribute to the economic development of host countries.
At Moody’s for example, we work closely with Tent – an organization that helps businesses connect refugees with work opportunities. The mentorship programme we’ve set up in partnership with Tent reflects our values of championing diverse perspectives and unlocking opportunities for all.
Of course these topics should be top of mind every day, but it is helpful to have an internationally recognized marker that can be used as a springboard for discussions and action.”
Can you share any specific stories or experiences that highlight the struggles and spirit of refugees?
Olga: “Through our mentorship programme, I have met many recent refugees from Ukraine - and I am amazed by their resilience and strength and what they have accomplished in such a short time under extreme adversity. Can you imagine having your life turned upside down overnight and living under constant threat? And through it all, to have the strength to gather your children and your most important belongings to travel to another country – where you may never have been before and may not speak the language.
Many of the refugees I have met are mothers who had to leave their partners behind and their journeys have taken many days in uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous conditions. They then have to settle in a foreign country, find a job for themselves, school for their kids, somewhere to live, and do so much more. I can go on and on about the hardships they have to overcome. I am in awe of the energy and resilience of these women and the love for their family that powers them through these struggles.”
How can individuals and communities come together to help refugees, especially on World Refugee Day?
Olga: “There are many ways that we can support refugees, and the commitment in time or money doesn’t always have to be large. Small acts can make a big difference. Refugees are a very diverse group with diverse needs, but all help and support is valued and greatly appreciated.
An individual can donate money or unneeded clothes, furniture or toys to a refugee family or to an organisation that helps refugees. They can also spend time to mentor refugees, organise events, teach a language or other skills, or raise awareness of refugee causes.
Companies also have a role to play. At Moody’s we are committed to empowering people with the capability, resources and confidence they need to create a better future. To make that happen, we provide our employees with a platform to contribute to their communities and serve their passions through volunteering, including through support for refugees.
Finally, communities can come together to organise events, donation drives, or simply provide an opportunity for refugees to meet, share experiences and help one another.”
Can you share any examples of how Moody’s creates opportunities for refugees and promotes inclusivity?
Dina: “As the conflict in Ukraine escalated last year, Moody’s started looking for ways to support refugees and came across Tent – an organization that helps businesses connect refugees with work opportunities. After a few discussions, we were impressed by the impact they had made, which led us to forge a partnership. The first initiative of our partnership was a mentorship program for refugee women.
Moody’s employees became mentors, offering guidance on polishing CVs, crafting a LinkedIn profile, navigating the job market, and practicing job interviews. In addition to the mentoring program, we organized several events to raise awareness of the challenges faced by refugees I’m excited to see how our partnership with Tent develops this year.”
What are some common misconceptions about refugees, and how can education and awareness campaigns combat them?
Olga: “I think the biggest misconceptions are (1) refugees are in the country illegally and do not have permission to work; (2) they lack education; and (3) they take jobs that should be offered to local people. More can be done to educate the public to dispel these ideas – and we all have a part to play here. Organisations such as Tent have an important educational role by holding events, by talking to organisations, and by providing information through mass media, including social media amongst others.
Events and communications within organizations, such as those organised by Moody’s Multicultural Business Resource Group, are also very important to dispel misconceptions, and to give employees opportunities to support refugees and help them become integrated members of society as quickly as possible. I think the more positive stories there are out there the easier it will be to gain the support of the public and other businesses to continue to help refugees.”
What does Moody’s hope to achieve on World Refugee Day, and how do you plan to engage people from diverse backgrounds in this initiative?
Dina: “We would like to increase awareness at Moody's of the challenges faced by refugees. Our goal is to address misconceptions and unconscious biases regarding refugees. We also want to encourage as many people as possible to participate by joining our mentoring program - a crucial step toward creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for the people we are helping. Before such initiatives are rolled out, they are discussed with members of the Multicultural Business Resource Group to make sure that a diverse range of perspectives and opinions are considered.”
Can you share any successful initiatives that have helped refugees integrate into new communities or rebuild their lives, and how these can serve as models for future efforts?
Dina: “A key focus of our efforts is to help refugees integrate into new communities and rebuild their lives through employment. I believe that securing a job is a crucial step toward joining a new community and starting afresh. Employment fosters independence, helps to form new social connections, accelerates language acquisition, and is a significant step on the journey toward normalcy.
This is why we started our partnership with Tent with a mentoring program focused on helping refugee women find a job. Moody’s mentors support refugees in reviewing CVs, creating LinkedIn profiles that showcase their unique skills and experiences, and practicing interview skills to build confidence and communicate their strengths.”
What kind of lasting impact do you aim to achieve in raising awareness and advocating for the rights and needs of refugees worldwide?
Dina: “It really comes back to raising knowledge and facilitating access to the help and resources that refugees need to thrive and contribute in their host countries. Although the contribution individual organizations make can be small, our collective efforts can strengthen understanding and empathy between communities.”
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