A collaborative approach to refugee resilience
This article was created in partnership with Same Skies, with contributions from Linde Lamboo, Brad Short, Rahima Hazara & Samira Al-Shawafi.
Human displacement has seen its peaks and troughs throughout history, marking moments of conflict and disaster disrupting the lives of millions. Current global refugee numbers are at the highest point in history, 70.8 million people forcibly displaced today. Living in Australia, the issue of refugees has claimed the political spotlight on multiple occasions, often sparking surges of nationalism, and recently seeing a rise in demonstrations calling for policy that increases our refugee intake. Australia’s infamous policy of ‘Stop the Boats’, introduced by the 2013 Liberal government, may sound all too familiar, yet infrequently does the media discuss the situation for refugees from where these boats depart.
Same Skies is a not-for-profit organisation working to support refugees and asylum seekers, with a mission to ‘promote global citizenship through collaborative leadership’. Same Skies is registered across Switzerland, Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia, and works with refugees to promote refugee-led action, aiming to strengthen the capacities of individuals and communities through co-designing refugee-led solutions and the provision of training, coaching and mentoring.
Same Skies is a not-for-profit humanitarian organisation partnering with refugee communities to strengthen capabilities and further develop refugee resilience.
We had the chance to speak with Linde Lamboo and Brad Short from Same Skies, to get a better understanding of the refugee situation in Malaysia and Indonesia, and address some questions and misconceptions.
This article also includes two testimonials from refugees partnering with Same Skies. Rahima Hazara, a teacher at a Refugee Learning Center in Indonesia and Samira Al-Shawafi, former centre manager at Refugee Network Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, have shared personal insight into the refugee situation in Indonesia and Malaysia, offering a different perspective from those with which we are familiar.
Interview with Linde Lamboo and Brad Short
Linde is currently the South East Asia Manager of Same Skies, while co-founder Brad is the Training & Development Manager.
MMI: What services does Same Skies provide to refugee communities?
LL/BS: Same Skies has developed and tested what we call “Refugee-Led Action” – a community-based approach emphasising strengths, resilience, and access to human rights. Same Skies focuses on co-designing refugee-led solutions such as learning centres or spaces to share skills through collaboration with motivated members of the refugee community. We also provide ongoing training, coaching and mentoring of refugee leaders and volunteers to increase capabilities. Further, Same Skies works on awareness raising and shifting paradigm through creating a global community. Our ‘Transformative Leadership in Action’ programme is an example of this objective, where participants from diverse fields and backgrounds study and work together to conceptualise and realise meaningful and sustainable solutions to challenges faced by refugee communities.
What is Refugee-Led Action and why have Same Skies adopted this approach?
“refugee communities should be embraced as assets in their host countries,”
Refugee-Led Action is the articulation of our philosophy that in order to meet the needs and solve the problems faced by refugees, they must be in charge of designing and managing activities throughout the project cycle. Conventional top-down solutions have rarely been truly effective, and often end up disempowering and disillusioning the supposed ‘beneficiaries’. Sustainability and efficiency are frequently compromised because of the inconsistency between project design and the actual needs of the communities themselves. Refugees too often are denied ownership and decision-making rights over their own lives, and their skills and ideas are unutilised. Refugee-Led Action acknowledges the existing strengths, skills, experiences, and expertise present in displaced communities, and reinforces our belief that refugee communities should be embraced as assets in their host countries, rather than being perceived as unwanted or an inconvenient burden. Refugee Led-Action is our response to this reality of 68.5 million globally displaced people who are often used to polarise societal opinion and limit integration.
What are the countries of origin of the refugees in Same Skies projects?
Typically, most refugees who find themselves in Malaysia and Indonesia come from areas of conflict and instability such as Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia, Myanmar, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Iran. Same Skies has worked with a wide range of existing community groups, but will only consider collaborating in the design and implementation of new community projects if the activities are open to refugees of all backgrounds, religions and genders, and the resulting organisation is non-political and non-religious. This results in an open, diverse and inclusive community group where everyone has the opportunity to contribute skills and ideas.
In this graphic, red states are zones from which refugees flee to Indonesia and Malaysia (shown in blue).
What are the biggest difficulties that refugees face in Malaysia and Indonesia?
Indonesia and Malaysia are two south-east Asian nations that are not signatories to the 1951 United Nations’ Convention relating to the status of refugees and its Protocols. This means that there is no way for refugees to formally seek asylum through the host governments, and that they are prohibited from employment and education, as their official status is no different to that of illegal migrants. Lack of access to education and employment are the greatest challenges faced by refugees in these countries. In addition, increasingly draconian policies in traditional resettlement countries have meant that there are fewer places available for resettlement, and this has meant that refugees in ‘transit’ nations, such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia have had to face the prospect that they will never be resettled. Diminishing financial resources due to the length of time awaiting resettlement often mean that refugees face poverty and deterioration of mental health. In addition, there is a lack of understanding in host communities about what it means to be a ‘refugee’, and this term, if it is known at all, often carries negative associations.
What do you think is currently wrong with the perception of refugees and how is Same Skies aiming to change that?
“...these very nations that have benefited tremendously from an influx of refugees, have begun to resent newer arrivals...”
The term ‘refugee’ really gained currency after World War II, and in this context, it referred largely to the millions of displaced Europeans who had been uprooted by conflict. In the decades that followed, it was largely accepted in increasingly wealthy developed nations that there was a moral responsibility to protect displaced communities, and to honour the essence of the Refugee Convention. However, in recent times, these very nations that have benefited tremendously from an influx of refugees, have begun to resent newer arrivals from nations seen as incompatible with liberal Western values. Politicians on both sides of the spectrum have increasingly used refugees to stoke fear before elections, and increasing nationalism and xenophobia has been evident in many traditionally welcoming nations. Combined with the complicit role that many Western nations have had in the instability of regions whence refugees flee, there is an uncomfortable guilt that sits beneath the fear whipped up against the innocent civilians who flee conflict. Same Skies seeks to raise awareness that anyone anywhere could become a refugee, and that refugees are people just like you and me, who through no fault of their own, have had to make agonising choices for the sake of simple self-preservation and the survival of their loved ones. We do this through promoting Refugee-Led Action, actively working with domestic civil societies and refugees to foster greater social integration and cohesion, and partnering with like-minded individuals and organisations.
Why do you think refugees are typically seen as vulnerable instead of resilient and capable?
It is easier for governments, and indeed all of us, to portray refugees as vulnerable, because any assistance offered to them can then be seen as magnanimous charity, rather than as an obligation to our fellow humanity. History has shown the contribution that refugees are willing and able to make, given the opportunity. The very fact of their survival and endurance is testimony to their determination and resilience, and every refugee community contains people with numerous and diverse skills and aspirations. If host nations would see refugees as the potential assets that they are, all would benefit, culturally, socially, and economically.
Source: Same Skies
What can students in Australia do to help refugees?
Students in Australia can begin by educating themselves about the topic. Young people today have unprecedented access to information, and they are savvy enough to be able to research for themselves the facts behind the debates and disinformation. Awareness raising is one of the greatest challenges in this field, so the more informed and educated voices on the topic, the less effective the fear campaigns and scapegoating will be. Students in Australia could also get involved in local community organisations that involve refugees, whether sports clubs, church groups, student support services, or advocacy groups. The more personal contact mainstream Australians have with minority groups, the greater the national social cohesion will be as a result. If we could all start from the position that we all have a lot to learn from one another, we would notice a significant diminishing of the effectiveness of divisive voices in Australia.
“Students in Australia can begin by educating themselves about the topic”
How does the context for being a refugee non-profit organisation based in south-east Asia differ relative to Australia?
The main difference is down to the level of historical use of refugees for political gain in Australia compared to south-east Asia. Australia has almost reached fatigue on the topic, because refugees have been used again and again to generate political momentum, particularly around election time. Further, the ongoing moral dilemma of Manus and Nauru has meant that this issue has been constantly burning away in national consciousness. The involvement on NGOs in both off-shore processing centres has also given hundreds of professionals first-hand experience of Australia’s policies.
In South-East Asia, there is a far greater degree of naiveté in civil society on the refugee topic. Many people have never heard the term before, and many who have do not really understand what it means. There are few active NGOs working in the field, certainly very few mature organisations with official national certification, so there is a refreshing level of cooperation and sharing of information compared to Australia, where NGOs have often been competing for government contracts, and advocacy groups each jostle for influence. There is increasing evidence of good-will in south-east Asia, both in civil society, private corporations, and indeed in government, and this is particularly encouraging to see.
Source: Same Skies
How is Same Skies assisting refugees in becoming financially independent without any official employment prospects available to them in the country?
A couple of examples of creative measures taken to address livelihood issues for refugees include ‘Refugee Network Centre’, an initiative that was founded by the first group of participants of ‘Transformative Leadership in Action’, whereby a space was rented in Kuala Lumpur for refugees of all backgrounds to share skills necessary to engage in different forms of income creating activities and provide services for their own communities. Another initiative is ‘Kneading Peace’, a social enterprise bakery and shop space established as a place to sell and exhibit refugee arts and crafts, and to train refugees in the establishment and management of small home-based businesses. In addition, all refugee actors who are involved in Same Skies affiliated projects receive professional development, certificates and letters of recommendation to aid them in their future educational and professional prospects.
What can governments around the world do to assist refugees and non-profit organisations such as Same Skies?
Most importantly, governments could give refugees the right to work and study while they await decisions on their status and/or resettlement. This would boost the domestic economy and ease the pressure on the public purse. Governments could also actively work to support non-profit organisations by removing bureaucratic obstacles and communicating frequently and openly; after all, if governments were able to adequately meet the existing challenges, there wouldn’t be a need for NGOs.
TESTIMONIALS
Finally, we had the opportunity to hear the perspectives of two refugees partnering with Same Skies in both Malaysia and Indonesia, shedding light on perspectives on refugee situations in each country.
Samira Al-Shawafi (right), Former Centre Manager working in partnership with Same Skies
Source: Same Skies
Samira Al-Shawafi, Former Centre Manager
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
What relationship do these refugee communities have with the local communities that they are located close to?
Many refugees prefer to live in areas where their community center is based therefore having more connections with their own community. This usually leads to less interaction with the local community.
What are the biggest difficulties that refugees face in Malaysia and Indonesia?
The major challenge that refugees face in Malaysia is protection, where they are considered illegal migrants in the country. This illegal identification, therefore, has resulted in the denial of access to education, work, and health, which also leads to other unpleasant acts/crisis within the refugee communities. Illiteracy, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), malnutrition, child marriage, child abuse are just a few examples.
Why do you think refugees are typically seen as vulnerable instead of resilient and capable?
There are certain groups of refugees who have been displaced for a long time and were denied access to education, work, and health since birth and thus were brought up fully dependent on aid. Media and aid providers can be strong reasons behind this as they mostly cover the topics they believe are more relevant to the public.
What can students in Australia do to help refugees?
“At the end of the day, people wouldn’t seek refuge if they were willing and had a chance to return back to their countries”
They can support by assisting existing and upcoming projects which focus on developing refugee education, skills, and health. This support can be by volunteering or by helping in raising awareness that refugees are people who just need opportunities and not only aid. Another form of support would be by helping in fundraising for the available projects that focus on developing refugees and their health.
Speaking to the intersectionality of the crisis, are there any additional difficulties faced by refugees who are female and/or a certain age group or ethnicity?
The Rohingya community is one of the communities facing major challenges compared to the other refugee communities. Access to education is the major challenge for them, and apart from that is identification; they have no sort of legal identification until UNHCR provides one. Child marriage, lack of education and malnutrition are some of the major crisis within the Rohingya community.
Other communities also face similar challenges, and this usually affects women and young girls most.
For refugees who experience severe hardship is returning to origin countries a strong consideration?
This could differ from community to community and person to person. Some refugees fled their country due to war, some due to personal threat, etc. At the end of the day, people wouldn’t seek refuge if they were willing and had a chance to return back to their countries.
What can governments around the world do to assist refugees and non-profit organisations such as Same Skies?
The dream of every refugee is that resettlement opportunities are increased, so refugees can start a better and more stable life and their children would have access to proper education. Another way would be to provide access to refugees wherever they are residing to learn and work. This will not only help refugees but also help the country they are residing in.
Rahima Hazara is a teacher working in partnership with Same Skies in Indonesia
Source: Same Skies
Rahima Hazara, Teacher
Location: Indonesia
‘Around 13800 refugees live in Indonesia. Refugees live in different part of Indonesia but majorities are in Jakarta or Bogor. The relationship between the local community and refugees is a quite fifty-fifty situation. Indonesia is a large country with great number of population so, most Indonesians are not even aware of presence of refugees in their countries. There are several misunderstandings between refugees and locals due to language barrier. Locals even misjudge the refugees as tourists in their countries.
In Indonesia refugees do not have the basic human rights like getting education or job. They are dependent financially for their survivals to their family/friends far away in their home countries.
Refugees are mostly seen as vulnerable but in fact they are resilient and capable, it is because of the negative reputation spread by social media or some politicians. The people who leave their home countries for a better and secure future, cannot vulnerable. All they need is an opportunity to prove themselves. Sometimes even without knowing their capability, people create a conclusion that refugees are supposed to be poor or uneducated while reality can be something opposite to the conception.
“All they need is an opportunity to prove themselves”
Students in Australia can help refugees in various ways. Australia is able to provide basic human rights for refugees. They are able to secure thousands of lives by opening doors to them.
Refugees in general face different problems since their futures are unpredictable. [Waiting] in the transit country like Indonesia/Malaysia can affect psychologically the various age group special the ones in their early 20s. That is their particular age for building their futures and starting their family/businesses.
When refugees leave their countries, [it] is quite impossible for them to return the same place where their lives are questioned. Refugees are not safe in their countries [such] as Afghanistan, Sudan, and Africa and so on, therefore they quit living in there and leave their birth place or else no one would willingly leave their birthplace/home country or family and friends.
Governments all around the world must consider the 65.6 million population of refugees whose lives are at risks. It is unpredictable that what number of this population is affected with psychological, health or financial problems. What number of this population even might attempt suicide? Their lives matter. They have the right to have all the basic human rights for living specially, security for their lives. The governments can make strategies to decrease the number of refugees by getting them resettled in the countries possible. The countries who are able to have more people or are fewer populated. The governments can also communicate with the transit countries to better the situation of refugees there.’