TBB Receives Prestigious Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy
Pictured: His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Alqasimi presenting the award to Talent Beyond Boundaries CEO, Steph Cousins.
We are thrilled to share that Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) has been honored with the Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy in recognition of our work in facilitating refugee labour mobility around the world. This award was launched under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Alqasimi and is organized by UAE-based NGO, The Big Heart Foundation, in collaboration with UNHCR.
The award ceremony took place in Sharjah this week with many distinguished guests in attendance, including his and her Highness Alqasimi, Khaled Khalifa from UNHCR, Syrian refugee Olympic Swimmer Yusra Mardini, along with TBB representatives, government officials, and respected NGO leaders.
The ceremony was followed by an interactive panel discussion featuring refugee professionals who have accessed a durable pathway through TBB’s program.
The award comes with AED 500,000 in prize money, to help recipients continue and expand on their life-changing work. TBB was selected as the only winner out of a pool of 423 organizations from 41 countries. We are humbled and grateful to be recognized in this way.
“The work that we’re doing at TBB is all about opening the pathways for refugees around the world so that they can fulfill their dreams and rebuild their careers. It’s an optimistic message about what can be achieved if we just empower refugees to move in accordance with their wishes to where they want to go to rebuild their lives. And that’s what we’re here today to celebrate” said TBB CEO, Steph Cousins.
“We’re just so grateful to The Big Heart Foundation and to UNHCR for endorsing this work and supporting TBB. We now have a lot of wind in our sails that we’re going to use to really create impact for refugees around the world”.
Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of The Big Heart Foundation, said, “This year, the award proudly acknowledges the outstanding efforts of Talent Beyond Boundaries, an organization that firmly believes in the capabilities and potential of refugees and displaced people. Through their dedicated programmes and strategic plans, they have been empowering beneficiaries to provide for themselves and their families, and enjoy a multitude of choices in shaping their own future.”
“It is truly inspiring to witness the emergence of humanitarian organizations and institutions that prioritize the development of refugees’ intellect, talents, and capabilities, as well as create an adequate environment that enables them to express their aspirations, nurture their skills, and actively contribute to various sectors and fields of work… We have made substantial strides in changing the prevailing perception of refugees as solely less fortunate dependent individuals. We have successfully contributed to promoting a fresh perspective that acknowledges their inherent abilities and upholds their rightful position in society”.
Pictured: Talent Beyond Boundaries CEO, Steph Cousins speaking at the award ceremony.
Pictured: TBB representative Naeem Sayes speaking at the award ceremony.
“Our next steps after winning this award will be to really focus on scaling our work so that more refugees around the world can move on skilled visa pathways” said Steph Cousins. “Our aim is to open up pathways for skilled refugees into 27 countries by 2027, and we’re looking to help at least 15,000 refugees migrate on skilled visas in that time”.
This marks the second award to advance TBB’s global mission and strategy from the UAE, following our acceptance of the Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant in 2020.
Once again, we thank The Big Heart Foundation for this prestigious recognition. It highlights the potential for growth and economic empowerment that lies within every refugee when provided with an opportunity to flourish. And it fuels our determination to create a world where every displaced person has the opportunity to thrive and contribute.
