Riding the waves - our goals and intentions for 2024

When we recently polled our team at Talent Beyond Boundaries about the merits of New Year's resolutions, the results were mixed. We settled instead on the benefits of setting an intention or a motto for the year. My 2024 motto is "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf," - inspired by my son, who has been learning to surf like a champion this summer (getting knocked off his board 99 times out of 100 but still going back out there).?

This year will be as unpredictable as any Australian surf beach wave set - with a marathon of pivotal elections , geopolitical turmoil, conflict-related violence, climate change's volatile impact and other human displacement drivers. Among all this uncertainty, there are two constants: the world's largest economies are all experiencing aging populations and skills and labour shortages that cost an estimated $1.3 trillion annually. This is the wave TBB is learning to ride. By enabling refugees to migrate for work, we provide real solutions to displacement while helping resolve demographic and labour shortage challenges. We will know we've reached mastery when hundreds of thousands of refugees migrate yearly on these pathways - but we aren't there yet.?

2024 is going to be a year of milestones for refugee labour mobility. Off the heels of the Global Refugee Summit , where refugee labour mobility secured very high-level commitments from states and other organizations, we will use that momentum to propel our work this year.?

We have ambitious goals over the next 12 months. Read about them here .

#Davos2024

World leaders flocked to Davos for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, where governments and top private sector representatives discussed the world's most pressing issues. TBB participated in a panel on 'Empowerment through Employment' co-hosted by the IOM - UN Migration and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency . David Manicom , our Director for Global Advocacy, shares his insights here .

New and Noteworthy

The US must consider including displaced people in employment-based visa pathways.

TBB is at the forefront of advocating for immigration policies in the US that include displaced people and address the barriers that prevent them from relocating through employment-based pathways. Check out our latest blog post to learn about the ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive immigration landscape for displaced talent.?

NYT Letter to the Editor: How to Fix America's Immigration Crisis

Our U.S. Director, Betsy Fisher , penned a letter to the editor in response to a recent NY Times op-ed on America's immigration crisis. Her letter offers a fresh perspective on building a more inclusive immigration policy that bolsters the workforce. Read it here .?

Success Stories

Ahmad and Afsana's journey from Afghanistan to Scotland is a remarkable tale of resilience and hope. Thanks to their skills and the partnership of TBB, SHARP Pakistan , and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency , the couple found safety and an opportunity to rebuild their lives in Glasgow. Read more about their inspiring story here .?

Recipes and Resilience

We're thrilled about the warm reception that Recipes & Resilienc e received over the holidays! A collection of heartwarming stories and delicious recipes from our talented alumni community, this is more than just a cookbook; it's a testament to the profound power of food in connecting us to our heritage and our loved ones.?

In alignment with our mission to provide safe and durable pathways for refugees and displaced people, Recipes & Resilience shares the tales of displaced people who, armed with their skills and experiences, found an opportunity to build brighter futures through gainful employment.?

When you purchase this book, you actively participate in our mission to empower refugees and displaced people, assisting them to relocate safely for work. Get your copy now !?

Alumni Love

We were overjoyed to receive this lovely message from one of our program alumni that highlights the impact that labour mobility has on the lives of others. We wanted to share this letter with you:

Dear Talent Beyond Boundaries Team,

I am writing to express my profound gratitude and appreciation for the incredible work that Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) has done to assist my family, particularly my brother Ahmad, during these challenging times.

Ahmad, a highly skilled petroleum and geotechnical engineer with more than 12 years of experience, faced unimaginable hardship following the recent upheaval in Afghanistan. His career, which he had worked tirelessly to build, came crashing down. The collapse of his livelihood left him homeless, and our family was deeply concerned about his parents and other brother's safety and future.

As a medical practitioner here in Australia and having experienced my journey as a refugee from Afghanistan, I understand firsthand the hardships and uncertainties faced by individuals like my brother. When the US withdrawal from Afghanistan plunged the country into turmoil overnight, it forced my brothers, their families, and our aging parents to escape their homeland, leaving them with no choice but to seek refuge in Pakistan.

The months they spent in Pakistan, often in hiding and without legal documents, were a source of constant worry for me. I provided them with whatever support I could, both mentally and financially, but the situation remained dire.

However, thanks to TBB, a ray of hope emerged. TBB helped Muhammad secure an opportunity to secure a position as a geotechnical engineer in Australia, specifically in the Northern Territory. This life-changing opportunity saved his career and offered a new beginning for him, his wife, and their six-month-old daughter. With his background in oil and gas exploration engineering and earth sciences, my brother brought valuable expertise to Australia's regional areas.

TBB's commitment to bringing highly skilled refugee talent to Australia transforms individual lives and contributes to the growth and development of the Australian workforce. The amazing work that TBB does has considerably alleviated my worries about my brother's safety and future.

I am now looking forward to the day when my other brother, a civil engineer with extensive experience on various projects in Afghanistan and the UAE, will find a new beginning, regain his career, and lead a fulfilling life. With TBB's continued dedication, he will soon have the opportunity to rebuild his life, just as Ahmad has.

I want to express my gratitude to TBB for its unwavering commitment to helping highly skilled refugees find new opportunities and for its significant positive impact on my family's life. Your organization's work truly embodies the spirit of compassion, resilience, and hope.

Thank you again for all you have done and continue to do. Your efforts are a beacon of light for those who have faced the darkest times.

With warm regards,

Hassan

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