What We Learned: Refugee Integration Conference 2019

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Thanks to everyone who made our third Refugee Integration Conference a success!

Thank you to all of our sponsors, speakers, attendees, and partners who helped make this year’s Conference a success. Our featured panels and workshops provided guests the opportunity to engage with community leaders, former refugees, immigration specialists, and service-providers. Over the course of two days, we gathered valuable information surrounding refugee and immigrant integration. Our combined efforts will surely help us make Ohio a more welcoming state for refugees and immigrants. Please stay tuned for information on our fourth annual Refugee Integration Conference coming in 2020.

Day One: Panel Discussions

In an effort to engage professionals, journalists, and educators with the New American Community, we hosted facilitated panelist discussions focusing on the portrayal of refugees in the media and access to higher education.

Refugee Panel

This panel provided refugees a platform to voice their concerns and share their stories. We would like to extend a special thank you to Elina Frank, Julie Momoh, and Sandra Brogdon for their participation. A central theme of this panel was access to higher education and the barriers faced as former refugees living in the United States.

Media Panel

This panel was facilitated by the Kiplinger Program’s Kevin Smith, and addressed the portrayal of refugees in the media. Journalists from all over Ohio shared their perspectives. Thank you Danae King from The Columbus Dispatch, Deba Uwadiae from the New Americans Magazine, and Mukhtar Ibrahim of the Sahan Journal.

*Deba Uwadiae from the New Americans Magazine*

Day One: Workshops and Film Festival

International Non-Governmental Organizations Workshop

This workshop featured presentations from two inspiring Rwandans sharing their unique perspectives on fostering national success in the wake of the Rwandan Genocide. Madeleine Uwamahoro discussed her work for the Barakabaho Foundation, which has assisted thousands of widows and orphans, and Simeon Bimenyimana explained the Rwandan government’s long-term development goals through the lens of education.

First Annual International Migration Film Festival

For the first year ever, our agency hosted an International Migration Film Festival. We featured two films: Sunflower Seeds, Directed by Antonis Tolakis, and CRIS Documentary by local middle school students Abigail Taphorn, Alexandra Rank, and Daisy Roberts.

After the films, two of our very own VISTA members, Phillip Price and Isaiah Baker, shared their experience working with refugees abroad during a Q&A.

Micro-Enterprise and Development Workshop

This workshop featured US Together Cleveland’s Micro-enterprise and Development Program, an initiative that provides refugee entrepreneurs with one-on-one assistance. The presenter discussed barriers that refugee entrepreneurs face and provided tools for guiding them towards successful entrepreneurship.

Accessing Higher Education - College Liftoff Workshop

During this workshop, Laura Berger Abbas and Emma Mote from College Liftoff shared the seven versions of higher education: four year public school, four year private school, liberal arts degree, art degree, technical degree, associates degree, and trade degree. Guests learned why the cost of tuition keeps rising and gained tools for making informed financial decisions. College Liftoff is a great resource for parents, high school students, and prospective graduate students. Click here to learn more.

*Marcus Andrews facilitating Q&A with VISTA Members*

Day Two: Panel Discussions

On day two, Ohio Welcoming Initiatives Network (OWIN) coordinated multiple panel discussions focusing on Ohio’s Global Talent and workforce development within immigrant and refugee communities.

Immigrant Panel

Moderated by Bryan Wright from Cincinnati Compass, this panel included professors, lawyers, and business professionals that provided valuable insight into the nuances of integration in Ohio. Panelists discussed the importance of a strong support network upon arrival in the United States, and the need for improved living conditions among refugee and immigrant communities.

*Dr. Rosaire Ifedi answering a question from the audience*

Engaging Your Chamber Panel

Moderated by Kelly Fuller, this panel featured local Chamber members from various parts of Ohio, including Bryan Wright from Cincinnati, Olivia Ortega from Cleveland, and Jeff Schaaf from Toledo. A common theme throughout the panel was the need for businesses to welcome newcomers to regions outside of the mid-west. Members stressed the significance of talent sourcing and support by local businesses for immigration.

*Kelly Fuller facilitating the Chambers workshop*

Day Two: Keynote Speaker, Mo Kantner from New American Economy

We were honored to host Mo Kantner, Associate Director of State and Local Initiatives for New American Economy, who presented data surrounding the economic impact of refugees and immigrants in the United States. Guests gained a wealth of knowledge about immigration and refugee resettlement in Ohio, including demographics, workforce participation, voting power, and home ownership. For example, did you know “immigrants are more likely to be active in the labor force, allowing them to contribute to the economy not only as consumers but also as taxpayers, helping fund social services and programs like Medicare and Social Security?” Click here to view the report she presented.

*Mo Kantner, explaining New American Economy*

*Mo Kantner sharing valuable data about the economic impact of immigrants*

Day Two: Workshops

OWIN organized multiple workshops that focused on talent sourcing and economic development for refugees and immigrants. Some highlights from the workshops are below.

Setting Up Newcomers for Success in the U.S Job Search

Guests gained a deeper understanding of the variety of barriers skilled immigrants and refugees face in re-entering their professional careers. Mahlet Mamo, National Account Manager for Jobversity, provided a review of the 2019 Lucas County, Ohio pilot for the Jobversity practitioner learning pathway, which trained 32 workforce development and service provider practitioners. The session was full of fun group activities and role-playing!

*Mahlet facilitating discussions during her workshop*

Preparing our Employers for a Globalized Workforce

This session focused on the economic impact of international student retention that provides approximately 14,474 jobs in Ohio. Did you know two American jobs are created for every foreign-born STEM worker with an advanced U.S degree? Through case studies, Ron Cushing, the Director of International Services at University of Cincinnati, also explained the intricate differences between curricular and practical training for students.

*Group poses for their photo after discussing the importance of international exchange*