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Public Policy Perspectives: Sustainable Refugee Integration

SpeakerS:

Hon. Julieta Valls Noyes, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees & Migration, U.S. Department of State
Hon. Salomón Chertorivski, Congressman, Chamber of Deputies of Mexico
Hon. Mark Green, President & CEO, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; Concordia Leadership Council Member 
Dr. Alejandro Portes, Professor of Law and Distinguished Scholar of Arts & Sciences, University of Miami

Key takeaways & next steps:

  • Whether it is climate change, corruption, poverty, violence, or conflict, it is necessary to address the root causes of displacement while simultaneously providing humanitarian assistance. 
  • Sustainable refugee integration is a global challenge that requires collaboration between countries of origin, transit, and destination. These actors must prioritize the creation of legal pathways, refugee status, family reunification, work visas, and humane border management. 
  • The resettlement of refugees relies heavily on cross-sector cooperation. The private sector must focus on economic possibilities, kickstarted by services like the Welcome Corps, and take advantage of nearshoring opportunities. 
  • Developing good public policy requires the countries of origin implementing strong social protection systems, investment & jobs, security & peace, and democracy. 
  • Emphasis must be placed on providing services so children are not exploited and vulnerable, which inherently integrates education into the conversation. Major international initiatives like Education Cannot Wait push for durable solutions. 
  • To learn about the importance of healthcare in Mexico, read University of Miami President Dr. Julio Frenk’s book Proteger a Mexico: un enforque integral para que el gobierno no nos falle.

“The protection of the most vulnerable people has to be a fundamental part of the design of any foreign assistance program.”

 

Hon. Julieta Valls Noyes, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees & Migration, U.S. Department of State

“By and large the networks that make a difference are the family networks and then the general receptivity of the community to open up to newcomers.”

 
Dr. Alejandro Portes, Professor of Law and Distinguished Scholar of Arts & Sciences, University of Miami

“When we talk about children moving around the world we have to see them as part of all of us; we really need to focus on creating global governance in order to take care of all those children as if they were ours.”

 
Hon. Salomón Chertorivski, Congressman, Chamber of Deputies of Mexico

“There are huge numbers [of refugees] and we all recognize that but there are also real opportunities especially at this moment in history. One thing that is underlying some of this is the children.”

 
Hon. Mark Green, President & CEO, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; Concordia Leadership Council Member

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