A few weeks ago we reported on the commitment to jobs and training for more than 250,000 refugees at the Tent European Business Summit in Paris on June 19. We thought these inspiring quotes from Summit CEOs and hosts were too valuable not to share.

Please note: this article was translated using a translator app

In these quotes you can read the passion and dedication of the participants of the Tent European Business Summit . They offer hope and decisiveness for all refugees - professionals who happened to be born somewhere else. And in combination with our event Newcomers & work , we definitely see 'let's crash the ceiling' reflected in this!

Gideon Maltz, CEO of the Tent Partnership for Refugees, said: “The European public's overwhelming support for Ukrainian refugees in the early weeks of the Russian invasion is now being matched by the business community making smart, strategic and sustainable investments to help Ukrainian and other refugees. integrate into the labor market. Through these efforts, companies fill labor shortages and gain access to great talent, while refugees have the opportunity to rebuild their lives and integrate into their communities. If Russia had hoped that the exodus of Ukrainians would destabilize Europe, today's summit shows that Europe becomes stronger and more prosperous by taking in Ukrainian and other refugees.”

Kelly Clements, Deputy High Commissioner of the UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, said: “Tent, together with their partners, has powerfully demonstrated overwhelming support from businesses, their customers and employees for hiring refugees . If refugees have a job, they can find their way back to self-reliance, allowing them to support their families again. Refugees are innovators, taxpayers, employees, consumers, investors and entrepreneurs. There is no better investment than helping refugees find work or gain the skills they need to enter the labor market. It's just a good business decision. UNHCR urges companies to come forward and create decent work for refugees around the world.”

Jacob Aarup-Andersen, CEO of ISS and co-host of the Tent European Business Summit: “At ISS we are proud of our diverse and inclusive culture that values ​​colleagues from around the world. This led to our commitment to welcoming Ukrainian refugees into our workforce immediately after the outbreak of war. Through our partnership with the Tent Partnership for Refugees, local authorities and other key partners, ISS is proud to say that we have already employed hundreds of refugees in Europe since last spring. Our commitment to employ at least 1,000 more refugees, including Ukrainian refugee women, reinforces our ongoing commitment to making a real difference to people and communities through financial stability and a sense of belonging.”

Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, Director France of the ONE Campaign and member of the Tent Advisory Committee: “The exceptional wave of solidarity that we have witnessed since the start of the war in Ukraine must not weaken and must be extended to all refugees regardless their origin. Refugees enrich our communities and our economies. I'm excited to see so many companies stepping forward with initiatives or expanding their existing commitments to recruiting and training refugees. They set a good example and our hope is that many more companies will follow suit.”

Paul Polman, Business Leader, Campaigner, former CEO of Unilever, and co-host of the Tent European Business Summit: “A few months ago I had the honor of hosting the Tent European Business Summit with Hamdi Ulukaya and other leading business leaders , I couldn't imagine the scale at which companies would stand up for Ukrainian and other refugees today. I am deeply grateful to the companies participating in this crucial movement and I admire the many refugees from Ukraine and other parts of the world who are trying to rebuild their lives. Their talent and perseverance is a tremendous asset for companies looking to build a capable and determined workforce.”

Dominika Bettman, General Manager Microsoft Poland and co-host of the Tent European Business Summit: "The millions of Ukrainian refugees welcomed by Poland and the rest of Europe since the start of the war are mainly women facing childcare issues. Many of those women trying to enter the local labor market, but are hampered by professional and social challenges. Training is an important stepping stone for these enthusiastic and talented women looking for work. Microsoft is proud to be part of the decisive moment today with our commitment to train at least 5,000 Ukrainians together with our partners across Europe by 2025."

Chris Heutink, Executive Board Member, Randstad: “Since 2011, Randstad has been committed to supporting the working lives of more than 103,400 migrants and refugees around the world through our programs. As the world's largest recruitment and selection company, we continue to committed to connecting refugees and migrants with careers and opportunities that offer them and their families great opportunities for a freer, more secure future. Having already achieved our previous three-year target after just one year, we are proud to announce that we will further expand these efforts by supporting the careers of an additional 50,000 refugees and migrants before 2025. Within this talent pool, we can help 40,000 refugees and migrants find work and provide training to 10,000 people. We believe this will further our belief that meaningful work is essential for everyone."

Anthony Capuano, President & CEO of Marriott International: “At Marriott International, we believe in doing good and making a positive and lasting impact on the communities where we do business. In Europe, we have supported refugees from Ukraine since the beginning of the war. Our focus on job creation has already led to more than 970 refugees being hired at dozens of our hotels in the region. Marriott's goal to hire an additional 1,500 refugees in Europe builds on the work we to create opportunities for refugees in the U.S. and highlights our steadfast commitment to putting people first and providing economic opportunity for refugees and underrepresented populations.”

 — Read also: Promise of jobs and training for more than 250,000 refugees

Also read: Why hiring refugees is good for business