The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, visited Sweden on 27-28 April 2023.
High Commissioner Filippo Grandi at the UNHCR Representation for the Nordic and Baltic Countries Office in Stockholm, along with representatives from Danderyd Municipality and participants from the Refugee Speakers Programme.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, met with refugees from Afghanistan, Eritrea and Ukraine, when he visited Stockholm, Sweden on 27-28 April.
The refugees, who are taking part in two different projects, shared with the High Commissioner their experiences and opinions of fleeing conflict and persecution, arriving to Sweden as refugees and rebuilding their lives here, not least with the help of Swedish friends, who have helped them overcome obstacles and understand Swedish culture.
Amanuel Beyene from Danderyd Municipality (left) with High Commissioner Filippo Grandi. © Mikael Bjuremalm/UNHCR
The High Commissioner met refugees from a Community Sponsorship Programme pilot, established in Danderyd municipality in Stockholm this year. The program matches newly arrived refugees with local Swedes who can serve as an entry-point into Swedish society from day one and help them navigate and find their feet in the community. The participants from the Community Sponsorship Programme shared their experiences on life in Sweden – their impressions of their new community and how it is getting to know Sweden and the Swedes, and the importance of this, when trying to better understand and feel included in Swedish society.
The High Commissioner also met with individuals taking part in UNHCR’s Refugee Speakers Programme in Sweden. This programme aims to develop the public speaking and storytelling skills for people with refugee background to help strengthen their voice and share their experiences of why they were forced to flee their homes and seek safety in Sweden. The participants explained to the High Commissioner why they felt it was important to be given a platform to share their personal story and what they hope to gain from this opportunity.
High Commissioner, Filippo Grandi (left) with Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson (right) © Ninni Andersson/Regeringskansliet.
During his visit, the High Commissioner also met the Swedish Prime Minister, Mr. Ulf Kristersson, the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jan Knutsson, the Minister for Migration, Ms. Maria Malmer Stenergard, State Secretary for Migration, Mr. Anders Hall and the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee.
The visit highlighted Sweden’s important opportunity as President of the Council of the European Union to advance refugee protection in Europe and in Sweden. In addition, he met with representatives from civil society organizations, including the Swedish Red Cross, Save the Children Sweden, the Swedish Refugee Law Center, the Church of Sweden, and Caritas Sweden.
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