In response to the mounting challenges faced by refugees, the Asia School of Business (ASB) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) convened the “ASB-UNHCR Conference on Refugee Studies & Forced Displacement 2024” on June 12-13, aligning with World Refugee Day. The event brought together academics, policymakers, civil society organizations, corporations, and refugees to address urgent issues. 

Prof. Sanjay Sarma, CEO, President, and Dean of ASB, opened the conference with a powerful call to action: “It is truly the responsibility of academics to fill gaps in knowledge around critical social issues, and I can think of no greater responsibility than addressing refugee studies and forced displacement.” 

Thomas Albrecht, UNHCR Representative, emphasized the crucial role of community support: “Refugees bring creativity, skills, and qualifications, and with opportunities, they can become active community members. Seeking refuge is often the only option for survival, and refugees need our solidarity more than ever.” 

H.E. Ary Norton de Murat Quintella, Brazil’s Ambassador to Malaysia, highlighted Brazil’s unwavering commitment to refugee protection: “Brazil remains unwavering in its commitment to refugee protection and international cooperation. Effective solutions require a collective global effort.” 

Comfort Wobil Brima, from the West African Refugee Community, stressed the need for tangible support: “What refugees need most is not just policies but tangible support. We need love, kindness, and real actions from our communities to help us thrive and rebuild our lives.” 

Dr. Melati Nungsari, Faculty Director of the ASEAN Research Center at ASB, called for inclusive policies: “We need policies that allow refugees to utilize their talents and thrive, whether they choose to stay or move. Choice in mobility is a privilege we should strive to extend to everyone.” 

The flagship address was delivered by Dr. Pedro Cicero, General Coordinator of the Brazilian National Committee for Refugees (CONARE), who shared Brazil’s innovative approach to refugee inclusion. 

The issues confronting refugees were highlighted with the conference’s poster walkthroughs, research-sharing sessions, film screenings, and panel discussions on intervention mechanisms, policy implementation, and social attitudes. Key topics included Brazil’s progressive refugee policies, climate-induced displacement, Thailand’s screening mechanism, and the Bangkok Principles. Sessions also explored early childhood education for refugee children, the plight of Gazan refugees, and media portrayals. 

The event drew an international audience, including diplomats from Brazil, Chile, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela, as well as Mrs. Karima El Korri, UN Resident Coordinator in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam, underscoring the global nature of the refugee crisis and the urgent need for collaborative solutions.