Refugees, governments and NGOs and interested individuals all invited to to join us Friday, June 19, for a unique refugee-led conference for sharing information and identifying resources and solutions amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Led by the Asia Pacific Network of Refugees (APNOR) this virtual conference will bring together refugee leaders from across Asia Pacific to share information how they respond to COVID-19 as well as discussing the needs, capacity gaps and advocacy priorities. We will identify areas for coordination, and assess how the policy, advocacy and public health communities can respond more effectively for meaningful refugee participation, placing COVID-19 response in context.

19th of June, 2020 | 2pm Bangkok, 5pm Sydney AGENDA

OPENING | Welcome and objectives

• Isack Ibrahim | Malaysia
• Video | What has APNOR been doing in response to COVID-19?

PANEL 1 | The Asia Pacific context: Analysis of refugee situation during COVID-19 Moderator: Darius Dario | Hong Kong

• Themba Lewis | Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN)
• Anna Crowley | Open Society Foundation
• Dana Alanzy | UNHCR

PANEL 2 | Refugee voices: What are the challenges, needs and gaps? Moderator: Nibras Rahbe | Australia

• Naveed Aieen | Education, Indonesia
• Ka Nyaw Paw | Labour market and participation, Thai Burma border
• Chekufa | Participation and inclusion of women, Bangladesh
• APNOR representative | Protection and safe pathways, Hong Kong

PANEL 3 | How are refugees responding to COVID-19 across the region?Moderator: Nibras Rahbe | Australia

• Naima Ismail Mohamed | The gendered impact of Covid-19, Malaysia
• Mohammad Javad Islamzadeh | Emergency and planning response, Iran
• Valy Hadi | Refugee responses, India
• Desale Tesfamariam | Refugee responses, Japan

NEXT STEPS | Connecting, collaborating and organising for change

• Najeeba Wazefadost | Refugee Participation Pledge, Australia
• Hayso Thako | Next steps, Thai Burma border
• Masooma Ramazan | Closing remarks from APNOR’s Coordinator