The University of Ottawa is delighted to launch the uOttawa Refugee Hub Fellowships for Refugee Leaders. This program leverages a partnership with the Northpine Foundation and builds on uOttawa’s rich history of innovative programs aimed at enhancing the lives of refugees on campus, in Canada, and around the world. It also addresses a critical gap that hinders individuals who have been forced to flee from realizing their full potential as leaders in Canadian society and globally.
I am proud to be part of the team developing this fellowship. Reflecting on my own journey as a refugee, I can personally attest to the potential of such initiatives. My family and I embarked on a journey that would redefine our lives in August 2020 during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Crossing into Canada via the Peace Bridge, we sought asylum – a moment filled with ambivalence. Grateful for the promise of a new beginning yet saddened by losing our homeland, Afghanistan. This transition raised daunting questions. After securing some sort of housing and basic livelihood for my family, foremost amongst these was whether I could put my education and experience to good use.
Being an unexpected ‘other’ in a new country evoked feelings of strangeness and basic disorientation. Refugees globally confront structural biases and systemic exclusion. We are perceived as burdens rather than assets, even in countries as welcoming as Canada. This perception undermines our potential contribution and overlooks the unique insights and experiences that we bring and can apply to our new homes.
There is cause for optimism. Refugee led organisations and refugee leaders have spearheaded action to ensure that meaningful participation becomes more than just a buzz phrase. At the recent Global Refugee Forum, an unprecedented number of refugee representatives participated at every level. As part of a new multi-stakeholder pledge, over 70 pledges were made by states and non-state actors, including civil society organizations, to support refugees’ meaningful participation in decisions that affect their lives.1
As refugees, we must lead the charge to shift from being perceived victims to active change-makers. There are many among us who are leading by example, inspiring others to follow. To do this, we need support to help us overcome the obstacles that many of us face.
Organizations, including government and non-governmental organizations and academic institutions, can enable refugees to thrive and unlock their full potential. Recognizing refugees as entrepreneurs, as leaders, as partners in policy and program design is a critical step. Investing in their professional development, not only helps in their integration but also enriches our societies by enabling diverse perspectives to be meaningfully engaged.
The uOttawa Refugee Hub Fellowships for Refugee Leaders is a pioneering step in this direction. This program is designed to offer tailored and in-depth mentorship to refugees showing strong leadership potential, helping them acquire the skills, confidence, and networks they need to become leaders in their chosen fields. But this program does not just help future leaders.
It also addresses a critical need in our organisation to benefit from the unique perspective, skills, and expertise of the refugees to shape our work and our context in more profound and meaningful ways. This mutual benefit is very important.
Leadership matters, and so does having leaders who can emerge from inside the lives of being a refugee. I’m excited to be helping lead this work as the next step in my own journey.
Application link here on BambooHR
Khyber Farahi is a Senior Project and Program Officer at uOttawa Refugee Hub-Pathways International. With over two decades of experience, he has worked closely with governments, as well as national and international organizations, focusing on the design, implementation, and scaling up of development programs and national humanitarian responses. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School and a Master’s in Business Administration from the American University of Afghanistan.
