Amer Alkayed, an Irish Palestinian lawyer, is a committed advocate for human rights and meaningful refugee engagement. With extensive experience in the Middle East region, he holds a pivotal role in the global refugee arena. Amer’s legal expertise as a UNHCR advisory board member, influences policies that enhance the lives of refugees and displaced communities. As the chairperson of the Global Refugee-led Network, Amer spearheads initiatives empowering refugees worldwide. His contributions to the Expert Group on the Common Pledge shape international commitments to address refugee challenges. A co-founder of various refugee-led initiatives, Amer drives impactful changes, fostering participation and innovative solutions for refugees’ unique needs. Amer’s expertise extends beyond legal and advisory roles, embodying a profound understanding of refugees’ complex challenges and positioning him as a catalyst for the progress of global refugee initiatives.
At the age of 10, Najeeba fled Afghanistan with her parents, seeking asylum in Australia in September 2000. Enduring months in mandatory immigration detention, she was eventually recognized as a refugee. Despite arriving with no grasp of English, Najeeba had adeptly mastered the language by the age of 14, and won a national essay-writing competition and thereafter started her advocacy journey. Graduating with a Bachelor of Medical Science, she has been deeply involved in refugee-led networks both regionally and globally. Najeeba actively contributes to uniting refugee-led organizations and change-makers worldwide, leveraging their experiences to propose solutions for more effective refugee policies. She holds positions on the Steering Committee for the Global Refugee-led Network, co-founded the Asia Pacific Network of Refugees after spearheading the Asia Pacific Summit of Refugees (APSOR) in Bangkok in October 2018. As the Chair of the Refugee Leadership and Participation Working Group in the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), she supports the establishment of an Afghan women’s business network in the Asia Pacific region, empowering women entrepreneurs. Her tireless advocacy brought her numerous awards, including the Human Rights Medal Award, Local Citizen Award, and Young Women of the West Award. Najeeba profoundly states, “Leaving your country is one of the most important decisions a human being can be forced to make.”
Shaza Alrihawi, a fervent human rights advocate, and co-founder of refugee initiatives; the Global Refugee Led Network (GRN), the European Coalition for Migrants and Refugees (EUCOMAR), and the Global Independent Refugee Women Leaders (GIRWL). Shaza is committed to meaningful refugee participation, she emphasizes the value of lived experiences and contributes expertise to reports and discussions at prestigious platforms, including the Oxford Refugee Studies Centre. Shaza also champions climate justice and advocates for inclusive approaches in climate policies. Her direct involvement in refugee issues includes addressing sexual and gender-based violence during her tenure at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Syria, following substantial contributions at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
Originally from Western Sahara, Mahfud now resides in the Saharawi refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, alongside numerous Saharawi refugees who fled their homeland due to conflict. As a committed human rights activist and political advocate, Mahfud actively collaborates with various Saharawi local organizations, primarily engaged in international advocacy regarding the Western Sahara issue. Currently, he serves as the Project Manager and Western Sahara Representative for the Spanish NGO, NOVACT, stationed in the Saharawi refugee camps, overseeing projects supporting Sahrawi human rights activists and civil society organizations in their nonviolent initiatives. His humanitarian efforts previously spanned over three years at the Danish Refugee Council’s Algeria office, concentrating on livelihood projects aimed at assisting Sahrawi youth in the camps to secure employment and enhance their living conditions. Mahfud has been a member of the GRN Steering Committee since 2018 and presently holds the role of MENA representative for GRN, continuing his dedication to refugee causes. He holds a Master’s degree in African civilization and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the Algerian University of Tlemcen.
Mary operates as both the founder and Executive Director of the Whole World Women Association, an organization committed to establishing secure and supportive environments for refugee and migrant women and their families, facilitating their safe assimilation into local South African communities. Prior to establishing this association, Mary made substantial contributions to the Human Right Media Centre in Cape Town, South Africa, spearheading the refugee and migrant project and extensively researching and disseminating the challenges faced by refugees in the country through various media platforms. Furthermore, she serves as an External Observer in the Gender Studies Honors program at the African Gender Institute, University of Cape Town. Mary’s academic journey comprises an LLB Law degree from the University of Yaounde, Cameroon, and a postgraduate LLM from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. While originally from Cameroon, Mary currently resides in Cape Town, South Africa.
Nibras, an Assyrian refugee hailing from Iraq, channels her efforts towards supporting women refugees in Australia, guiding them through career development, entrepreneurship, and fostering economic autonomy. Holding a Graduate Certificate in Migration Law and Practice from ANU obtained in 2018, she actively contributes to the Steering Committee of the Asia Pacific Network of Refugees (APNOR), the pivotal refugee-led network spanning the Asia Pacific region. Dedicated to providing a spectrum of services, including emergency and educational support, APNOR operates collaboratively with and for refugees. Additionally, Nibras assumes the role of Chairperson for the Australian National Committee on Refugee Women (ANCORW), engaging in lobbying, advocacy, and research to empower refugee women and families, addressing refugee issues as fundamental human rights challenges. Drawing from a decade-long experience in refugee work and her personal refugee background, Nibras is fueled by passion and empathy, comprehending the complexities and hardships faced by refugees, especially displacement. As an advocate and activist championing human rights and refugee causes, she strives to bridge the support gaps she encountered during her own refugee journey.
Seconde, a dedicated and driven professional, possesses a diploma in teaching French as a second language, social psychology, and Canadian Immigration and Protection Laws. In her current role as a resettlement worker at KEYS Job Centre, Inc, she focuses on guiding refugees through their integration into new communities, offering crucial support, information, and accompaniment with a solution-oriented and empathetic approach. Alongside her work, she is a committed defender of women’s and human rights and serves as a co-founder at ISOKO partners for Peace and Gender Equality. Engaged in various capacities, she is a member of the Canadian Council for Refugees and contributes to the Refugees Advisory Group (RAG) at UNHCR, where she plays a part in governance matters. Seconde actively drives the implementation of Peace and Neutralization Strategies (PANs) in the African region, emphasizing localization, advocacy, and awareness-raising for Women/Youth, Peace, and Security indicators, notably focusing on UNRSC’s 1325 and 2250 resolutions.
Ana María, a legal expert with a Master’s Degree in Public Management focusing on migration and human rights, along with a Diploma in social inclusion from the School of Government of the Organization of American States, has an extensive background. Initially practicing as a criminal lawyer in Venezuela, she later transitioned to become a Regional Humanitarian Protection Officer for HelpAge International. Ana María’s impactful work extends to her role as a Fellow at Refugees International and her position on the UNHCR Global Advisory Board of Organizations led by Displaced and Stateless People. Acknowledged as an influential young leader, she has received numerous awards; such as the “Responsible Business Leaders Award – Social Category 2022” by Ernst & Young Venezuela, the IESA Alumni 2022 award for responsible leadership, and the Analytical Woman 2022 recognition from Monteavila University. Currently, Ana María holds the position of president within the Coalition for Venezuela, overseeing the largest network of organizations led by Venezuelan migrants and refugees.
Abd Jessry serves as the Regional Coordinator for the MENA Chapter of the Global Refugee Led Network (GRN), where his role involves actively engaging as a humanitarian advocate. His impactful contributions have spearheaded various initiatives and crafted advocacy statements, notably enhancing and shaping Syria’s humanitarian response. Through his advocacy work, Abd has represented the perspectives of Syrian organisations on numerous humanitarian platforms, ensuring that the voices of Syrian refugees are heard at the highest decision-making levels within humanitarian bodies. Abd’s educational background further reinforces his capabilities, as he holds a degree in business administration from the Higher Institute of Business Administration in Syria and a degree in political science from Roshd University in Turkey. His multifaceted expertise positions him as a key figure in driving positive change within the MENA Chapter of GRN and contributing to the broader discourse on refugee-led initiatives and humanitarian affairs.