ICRMS in collaboration with UNHCR and BUITEMS arranged the third policy dialogue of the year 2024 titled Technology and Refugees: Leveraging Innovation for Social and Economic Inclusion, on 17th December 2024. The objective of this policy dialogue was to ascertain possibilities for refugee youth to train and work in digital spaces in line with the SDG 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth. The dialogue was centred around creation of feasible opportunities of employment online with the help of public-private collaboration. The dialogue was moderated by Ms Aqsa Maryam, Assistant Professor BUITEMS and the participants included VC University of Loralai Dr. Ehsanullah Kakar, Pro Vice Chancellor Dr. Mirwais Kasi, representatives of UNHCR, members from DIGIBIZZ, NAVTTC, Directorate General of IT, Balochistan, NGO’s and the ICRMS team.
The discussion highlighted the following issues:
The challenges in setting up tech related opportunities for refugees are:
- The legal status of the refugees as a displaced entity rather than the residents of Pakistan
- Economic problems hindering the motivation
- The unavailability of appropriate infrastructure including internet and electricity
- Security concerns, particularly in context of Balochistan
- Cultural and social barriers, language barriers and perception about gender
- Lack of digital literacy and technical skills training opportunities
The participants of the dialogue acknowledged that despite the efforts of UNHCR, the issues related to the legal status of refugees is the biggest hurdle in economic and educational inclusion of the refugees. However, most organizations including the universities showed an eagerness to be part of the solution. Dr. Ehsanullah suggested that the refugees living near the University of Loralai can benefit from the facilities available on the campus of the university, Dr. Mirwais Kasi also showed similar zeal towards the possibility of educating these young men and women.
Dr Hussain Magsi DG NAVTTC added that his organisation has previously partnered with UNHCR and will continue to provide all kinds of support as long as it falls under the jurisdiction of his directorate. He stated that the problem that he discerned regarding the quality of most trainings was that most modules were not entirely designed according to Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) models, an issue which has previously been discussed in the first policy dialogues as well. However, BUITEMS representatives volunteered to provide resource for designing such trainings. Mr. Jawad Ahmed, Program Director DIGIBIZZ explained that providing stipend and equipment is not possible for their department, however, the platform can provide training resource. To which the NGO’s Tarraqi Foundation, WESS, Daanish foundation and other implementing partners of UNHCR agreed to extend their resources.
The panel recommended a pilot project where all stakeholders can extend their efforts and gauge the feasibility of launching a bigger program. In this connection it was highlighted that the resources for training are already available, however for the provision of equipment post skill development can be provided through the platform of Daanish organisation. In the end the Pro VC BUITEMS expressed his gratitude for the wonderful response that the panellists had given. Following the dialogue, the participants were taken to the art gallery to see the art work by the refugee and host community depicting the nuances of life as a person with no home.
