Engaging the Private Sector in Responding to Refugee Crisis in MENA
In partnership with UNHCR, INSEAD through the Centre for Economic Growth demonstrate continuous commitment to contributing to a sustainable solution for major sociopolitical and economic issues such as the refugee crisis.
INSEAD, one of the world’s leading business schools, in partnership with the Centre for Economic Growth at INSEAD (CEG), as part of its social responsibility initiative, teamed up with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in order to further explore and encourage the role of business leaders and corporations in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in the world.
Last week, INSEAD, CEG and UNHCR co-hosted a meeting included business leaders and academics to discuss efforts of engaging the private sector in the humanitarian response to the refugee crisis in the MENA region. The event built on existing good practices, matching UNHCR expertise with knowledge within the private sector. It examined the on-going partnerships, showcasing methods of private sector engagement in the humanitarian response to refugee crisis, and explored potential partners to help refugees continue leading a dignified life.
The session started with two keynote speeches delivered by Tom Fletcher, Global Strategy Director, Global Business Coalition for Education and Waleed AlBanawi, Chairman and Founder JISR Venture Partners. Speaking about the event, Patricia McCall added "Addressing the humanitarian crises in our region requires collaboration from all stakeholders and the Centre for Economic Growth is pleased to collaborate with the UNHCR to highlight practical ways the private sector can positively participate and impact our region”.
Houssam Chahin, Senior Private Sector Partnerships Officer (MENA) at UNHCR commented: “We are very pleased to be part of this first of its kind event with INSEAD and CEG in the region. It has been a unique opportunity to showcase some of UNHCR’s existing partnership models with the private sector, and to inspire other private sector actors to join the refugee cause.” He added: “With the great humanitarian crisis in the region requires a collective effort to respond to the acute needs of refugees. A further engagement from the private sector is urgently needed.”
The private sector is a rising global power that is suitably equipped with expertise, systems, credibility, efficiency, finances, and social responsibility to be highly integrated in the design and implementation of humanitarian response programmes for displaced persons in the region and globally.
Miguel Lobo Associate Professor of Decision Sciences, Director of Abu Dhabi campus, added: “The need to address the conflicts that lead to refugee movements and adopt a more comprehensive approach to the MENA region is unquestionable. In the meantime, humanitarian aid and development assistance are urgent and critical. It is our responsibility as academics who prepare tomorrow’s business leaders to encourage collaboration between governments, NGOs and the private sector. This collaboration should be leading to the design and implementation of better strategies to provide relief for region's deepening refugee crisis, and to help lay the foundations for a more promising future of stability and prosperity”.
The MENA region is considered the largest producer and host of refugees and IDPs in the world, which requires innovative and unprecedented actions from the humanitarian actors and the consideration of non-traditional partnerships for the benefit of refugee and IDPs. Governments and NGOs in the Middle East are invited to take a part in providing support to more than six million refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) resulting from current conflicts.
Mariam Farag, Head of CSR, MBC Group commented: “The level of the refugee crisis is overwhelming. We need to act fast, together”. Organisations design their CSR programmes based on the mission, the business objectives and the needs of the ecosystem in which they operate, but today we are experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis that requires a collaborative approach from key stakeholders with the private sector playing an active role in humanitarian relief and towards solving the refugee crisis in the region. Today we made a good start ”, she added.
The programme included a C-suite roundtable discussion during which experts such as Houssam Chahin, Senior Private Sector Partnerships Officer (MENA), UNHCR, Kamel Alzarka, Chairman and Founder, Falcon Group, Mariam Farag, Head of CSR, MBC Group, Batoul Husseini, Head of Government Affairs (UAE), Corporate Social Responsibility (MENA), SAP and Patricia McCall, Executive Director, Centre for Economic Growth shared key insights, showcased existing private sector partnerships with the aim of providing live examples and inspiring other actors and identified prospective private sector partners willing to engage with UNHCR to serve refugees and host communities in the region.
About UNHCR
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. It also has a mandate to help stateless people. In more than six decades, the agency has helped tens of millions of people restart their lives. Today, a staff of some 9,300 people in more than 127 countries continues to help some 54.9 million people.
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