By Marina Brizar, UK & Europe Country Director

In a world marked by displacement and forced migration, the prospect of opening skilled immigration pathways to refugees and forcibly displaced individuals represents a significant step toward achieving lasting and permanent solutions for forcibly displaced people on a global scale. The conventional barriers within skilled migration systems often inadvertently hinder access for those with a displacement background. However, Goal One of Talent Beyond Boundaries' five-year strategy aims to identify and dismantle these barriers, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.

The Context for Goal One:

The landscape of skilled migration has historically been marred by administrative and policy obstacles, unintentionally excluding individuals with a displacement background from accessing these regular routes. Recognizing this systemic challenge, Talent Beyond Boundaries collaborates with governments, employers, partners, and civil society to develop programs that allow displaced people to access skilled migration pathways. These programs often begin as pilots to contain, monitor, and evaluate the necessary changes before transitioning into more sustained and scalable programs integrated into ordinary migration frameworks.

The emphasis on "opening pathways" extends beyond facilitating migration; it's about creating sustainable and holistic solutions that harness the skills, experiences, and expertise of forcibly displaced individuals. The goal is to transform the narrative surrounding displacement from a burden to an opportunity and resilience.

Our Progress so Far:

The progress made thus far is not just aspirational but tangible. Australia, Canada, the UK, Portugal, Belgium, and Ireland have initiated pilot programs to facilitate the integration of refugees and forcibly displaced people into their skilled admissions programs. These pilot programs showcase the viability and success of opening up skilled immigration pathways to those who have faced immense adversity and have laid the foundation for a more comprehensive approach to addressing this global issue.

Plans to Achieve Goal One by 2027:

Looking ahead to 2024, momentum continues to build. Ongoing discussions and policy design work are taking place with multiple governments. Furthermore, with support from the European Union and key partners such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), projects will commence to expand Displaced Talent Mobility pathways into Italy, Spain, France, and Slovakia while expanding on pilots in Belgium and France. This strategic expansion signifies a collective commitment to acknowledging the immense potential and talent within displaced populations and actively creating avenues for their integration and contribution to new societies.

As the initiative gains momentum and expands its reach, Talent Beyond Boundaries and our partners will continue to leverage the opportunities and interests of other countries to join this movement. Our progress so far is a testament to the power of collective action and collaboration. It underscores the importance of global solidarity in addressing one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges of our time. With the support of the Global Taskforce of Refugee Labor Mobility and the Refugee Labor Mobility Network, expansion to at least 27 countries by 2027 will be underpinned by the ecosystem of states and organizations that have adapted and rolled out pilots and programs.

The Journey of Wins:

The journey to open skilled immigration pathways to refugees and forcibly displaced individuals is often described as a win-win-win: a win for inclusive and diverse societies, a win for employers and the economies where dedicated and resilient workers fill skills shortages, and perhaps most importantly, a win for the people who are lifted out of displacement and given the opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity through their skills and talents. Despite the challenges of systems and narrative change, these pathways continue to unfold, multiply, and illuminate a path toward a more compassionate and equitable world for all.

Join Us in Transforming Lives:

We invite governments and partner organizations to join us in this transformative journey. By working together, we can create more opportunities and open additional migration pathways for refugees and forcibly displaced individuals, offering them the chance to rebuild their lives with dignity and contribute their skills to the world. Let's collaborate to make a meaningful impact and provide hope to refugees and forcibly displaced people. Together, we can build a more compassionate and equitable world for all. Support our pledge at this year’s Global Refugee Forum today!