Like many ambitious young women, Syrian-born Salwa Afif Razzouk looked forward to launching her career having completed her bachelor's degree in law and master’s in public management. Instead, the outbreak of the Syrian war forced her to set aside her career plans and leave her homeland behind.
One of Australia’s largest refugee resettlement providers has called for urgent action to lift Australia’s humanitarian intake, as new research shows the number of people experiencing forced displacement increased at a record-breaking rate in 2022.
Sadia had almost completed her Master of Dental Science in Malaysia when the Taliban gained control of her home country Afghanistan. After returning home to protect her two young children, Sadia and her family were forced to flee to Australia for safety in November 2021.
Upon Mohsen's arrival in Australia, he had transitioned from being a qualified medicine graduate to being deemed unemployable. Finding himself under growing pressure to support his family, Mohsen’s priority became securing any work he could.
When former United Nations HIV Program Specialist, Dr. Mohammad Zubair Harooni, arrived in Australia with his wife and four children in January 2022, he knew finding employment would be key to building his new life.
When Iranian-born Mary Logan sought refuge in Australia, she hoped to continue her work in hair and beauty. However, her overseas experience and qualifications were not recognised, forcing the salon owner and manager to begin again as an apprentice.
The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023, Be a Voice for Generations, encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise. So what does this actually look like in practice?
Allianz Australia and Settlement Services International (SSI) have awarded 34 deserving refugee students with SSI Allianz Refugee Scholarships, providing vital funding to access technology, pursue their education, and obtain local qualification recognition.
SSI has called for nine key areas of reform in the upcoming 2023-23 Federal Budget in order to optimise migration, Australia’s humanitarian program and our settlement services for the benefit of all Australians.