Sparking Systems Change Together
The Transforming Employment Narratives Program provides a shared learning experience for refugee claimants, employers, HR professionals, and settlement workers to explore: systems change, power & identity, refugee claim journey, trauma-informed care, discrimination in hiring & workspaces, and more.
In doing so, we will be able to envision how we can break down the barriers that keep refugee claimants underemployed and find a better way forward towards the flourishing of both refugee claimants and employers.
Together, we will spark systems change for refugee claimants’ employment through mutual transformation and shifting mindsets.
What Will We Cover?
Locating Ourselves & Power Analysis
Exploring the development of our social identities, both marginalized and dominant, as sources of strength and wisdom, and as places of deep wounding.
Systems Change 101 and Systems Leadership Capacities
An introduction to the foundational principles of systems change and to systems leadership capacities and capabilities, and support to explore your strengths in systems leadership.
Systems Mapping
An experiment in ‘collective seeing’ to help the ecosystem to see itself and uncover the deeper patterns, structures and mental models influencing refugee claimant underemployment.
Seeing the System
Experiential learning journeys through the perspectives of refugee claimants, settlement agencies and employers.
Reimagining Possible Futures
Co-design scenarios, a creative process to illuminate alternative possible futures, unencumbered by what has been.
What to Expect?
The Transforming Employment Narratives Program consists of two main components.
Five full day sessions taking place within February 2024.
Attend 5 days of in-person sessions (approximately 6-8 hours each). This will include site visits, presentations, group discussions as well as intimate conversations with peers. We surface learnings and themes from the program and share them back to the group as we go.
Breaks, food, drinks, and prayer times included.
A public event on Refugee Claimants and Equity in the Workplace.
An opportunity to hear stories of refugee claimants and their employers flourishing together, learn trauma-informed care best practices, and be inspired to bring a trauma-informed care ethos to your spheres of influence.
2024 Key Dates
January 21 (extended)
Application Closes
January 2024
Confirmed Participant Announcement
February 2-3-16-17-23 | 2024
Program Dates
Is This For Me?
If you live, work and/or have connections in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia and are interested in being part of a professional development program, select from below to see how you will benefit.
Refugee Claimants will…
- Learn how to use your story and sphere of influence to create a positive impact towards inspiration and systemic change.
- Challenge preconceived notions and assumptions of what is possible in refugee claimants’ employment journeys by engaging and learning from employers and HR professionals as well as other refugee claimants.
- Incubate new steps and social impact conversations and initiatives that address the root causes of systemic barriers for refugee claimants’ employment journeys.
- Lead change with fellow refugee claimants and employers.
Employers & HR Professionals will…
- Learn how to use your sphere of influence to create a positive impact on your staff and refugee claimants.
- Challenge preconceived notions and assumptions of what is possible in refugee claimants’ employment journeys.
- Incubate new steps and social impact conversations and initiatives that address the root causes of systemic barriers for refugee claimants' employment journeys.
- Lead change with fellow employers and refugee claimants.
Settlement Workers & Immigrant Services will…
- Learn how to use your sphere of influence to create a positive impact on your colleagues, staff, and refugee claimant clients.
- Challenge preconceived notions and assumptions of what is possible in refugee claimants’ employment journeys in Canada.
- Incubate new steps and social impact conversations and initiatives that address the root causes of systemic barriers for refugee claimants’ employment journeys in your work.
- Have more meaningful experiences in your job, go beyond numbers to human relationships.
- Grow in your own career.
Program Costs
The program costs help enable refugee claimants with financial barriers to attend the program.
Refugee Claimant
Current or Previous Refugee Claimant
$5–$250
Includes:
Access to the full 5-day program
Ticket to Public Event
Employer
Corporations, Foundations, and Settlement Agencies
$500–$2000
Includes:
Access to the full 5-day program
Ticket to Public Event
Organization
NGOs, Mid-Sized Consultancy and Backbone Organizations
$250–$500
Includes:
Access to the full 5-day program
Ticket to Public Event
There is a sliding scale for different types of organizations and individuals. Prices are in CAD.
For refugee claimants, we have some accessibility support in place if you need it;
If you are currently employed, we are happy to provide a letter to your employer explaining the importance of your participation.
If you are unemployed, we can pay for your time through the solidarity fund, we want you to be here. Get in touch with Mohammed Zaqout.
Apply to join the TEN program
Whether you are a current or previous refugee claimant, an Employer, HR professional, a Settlement Worker or an Immigrant Services Provider, join us on our 5-day program!