The Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, in cooperation with the High commissioner for refugees in Geneva, organized a high-level event to foster the resilience of refugees
Geneva – May 28, 2025
A high-level event convened this morning at the headquarters of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva, drawing international experts, academics, and UN agencies for a joint initiative organized by the UNHCR and the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace (GCTP) in the presence of H.E. Jamal Al Musharakh, UAE’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva. The event, titled “Fostering Refugee Resilience: A Shared Responsibility,” focused on collaborative strategies for refugee inclusion and culminated in the launch of a comprehensive global reference book.
Opening remarks were delivered by Ms. Ruven Menikdiwela, UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, and H.E. Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Jarwan, President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace.
“We live in a world where displacement continues to rise—driven by conflict, violence, and climate change—surpassing 123 million forcibly displaced people, including 49 million children,” said Menikdiwela. “Yet within this reality, we see extraordinary determination. Resilience means more than survival—it is about rebuilding lives, contributing to communities, and breaking the cycle of displacement. Legal identity is not just a document; it is the gateway to dignity, rights, work, land, and economic participation.”
In his address, Jarwan emphasized a paradigm shift in addressing the refugee crisis:
“Today, we are not simply gathered as diplomats or academics. We are united as a global human front confronting one of the most urgent moral and humanitarian issues of our time—protecting and empowering refugees. Beyond the MoU we sign today, we are launching a shared agenda to reimagine our approach—from crisis management to solution design.”
He added: “Resilience is not inherited—it is built through just systems, real opportunities, and policies that uphold human dignity. ‘Fostering Refugee Resilience’ is not just a theme; it is a universal mandate that must translate into laws, education systems, and community development.”
On the sidelines of the high-level event, a Memorandum of Understanding and Joint Cooperation was signed between the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace (GCTP), represented by its President H.E. Ahmed bin Mohamed Al Jarwan, and Ms. Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The agreement aims to strengthen and formalize collaboration between the two parties, with the shared objective of promoting tolerance and peace and enhancing the protection of refugees around the world.
The opening session was followed by a high-level roundtable moderated by Dr. Basma El Zein, Vice President for Academic and Scientific Affairs at GCTP. The session explored four core pillars:
· Legal Frameworks and Inclusive Policy: Panelists underscored the need to reinforce international protections, legal representation, and humane migration governance.
· Access to Education and Higher Learning: Speakers emphasized education as a human right and a cornerstone of long-term resilience.
· Leadership Empowerment of Women and Youth: Inspiring refugee-led initiatives were shared from Switzerland and Chad, with calls to scale localized empowerment strategies.
· Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion: The session explored the role of culture, mental health, and the arts in healing trauma and rebuilding communities.
Notable speakers included H.E. Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), who delivered a recorded address advocating comprehensive refugee protection policies; Mr. Peter Mozolevskyi, Member of the Refugee Parliament in Switzerland, who reflected on political inclusion; and Ms. Jin Daoud, Nansen Award Laureate and founder of Peace Therapist, who highlighted the power of psychosocial recovery.
Additional contributions came from MP Mr. Djangrang Sende Epainete (Chad), Maria Lucia Uribe (Executive Director of Arigatou International – Geneva), and Waqas Ahmad (CEO, Khalili Foundation). The roundtable also included representatives from refugee-led organizations, KAICIID, the University for Peace, and various youth and academic networks.
The event welcomed distinguished diplomatic and institutional representation, including H.E. Jamal Al Musharakh, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN in Geneva, alongside senior delegates from UNESCO, UNDP, WHO, and over 30 international and civil society organizations.
In its closing, the event marked the official launch of the book “Fostering Refugee Resilience: Global Perspectives on Integration, Inclusion, and Prosperity.” Structured around six interlinked dimensions—law, education, innovation, economy, social cohesion, and women/family empowerment—the volume presents a forward-looking framework for policy and practice.
“This is not just an academic publication,” stated Jarwan. “It is a practical instrument for decision-makers committed to dignity, justice, and inclusive development.”
As a gesture of recognition and cooperation, official copies of the book were presented to:
· Ms. Ruven Menikdiwela, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection at UNHCR
· UNESCO Office in Geneva, affirming the central role of culture and education
· H.E. Jamal Al Musharakh, UAE’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, in appreciation of the UAE’s leadership in peace, development, and human rights advocacy.
