The initiative seeks to create a more inclusive system by offering displaced individuals tangible opportunities to further their education and research. By tapping into the talents and experiences of these highly skilled migrants, the project aims to enrich both academic and professional sectors in Canada while addressing current social and economic challenges.
Driven by Professor Clark-Kazak, the project involves collaboration with universities, NGOs, and public institutions across Canada. Among the key partners are Amnesty International, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and Access Alliance, which ensures the initiative draws on a wealth of expertise in human rights, academic research, and support for marginalized communities.
The initiative is built around six core priorities aimed at improving access to education, research and employment for forced migrants:
- Facilitating entry into higher education: Developing policies that support the admission and success of displaced students.
- Supporting migrant researchers: Providing resources to integrate international researchers into Canadian research projects.
- Promoting professional integration: Offering mentorship and internship programs to ease the transition into the workforce.
- Raising employer awareness: Encouraging businesses to recognize the skills of displaced individuals and provide them with employment opportunities.
- Collaborative research: Establishing interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral research teams to address the unique challenges faced by forced migrants.
- Strengthening institutional capacity: Working with universities to develop programs tailored to the needs of displaced populations.
This project is a major step forward in fostering the inclusion of forced migrants within Canadian universities and the workforce. At a time when global displacement is on the rise, this initiative offers practical solutions to the challenges faced by skilled migrants. It also contributes to the broader debate on immigration and integration, topics of growing importance in Canada.
The Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa, along with leading institutions and organizations from both the public and private sectors, is proud to support this groundbreaking initiative. It reflects the university's commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all.
For more information on the partners and the project's key priorities, visit the dedicated website