It is not without reason that we are called Refugee Talent Hub: we enjoy working together a lot. With employers, with social organizations, with knowledge institutions - and of course with people with a refugee background. We are in continuous discussions with all these people and organizations. To see where we can improve, for example where we can better meet the wishes of candidates or partners. The recent establishment of the Council of Friends fits in perfectly with this.

Please note: this article was translated using a translator app

Why a Council of Friends?

 Wilma Roozenboom, director of Refugee Talent Hub, explains: "Refugee Talent Hub bridges the gap between refugees and work. We want to be who we work for. So our team consists of people with and without a refugee background, and there are always employees (rotating per six to nine months) employees from a number of our corporate partners. At another level, the same applies: the employer perspective is represented by our board: it includes representatives from the business community, one of whom, in addition to her broad corporate knowledge and expertise in HR, area also brings her experience as a former refugee from Bosnia. But the board mainly looks from a corporate and broader social perspective."

 “To continue to do our work well and to be kept sharp, we want advice from more people with refugee backgrounds, at a strategic level. People who critically question us about what we do and why we do it. Who tell us, solicited and unsolicited, what could be improved. And who do you ultimately like to take advice from? From your friends... That's why Refugee Talent Hub established a Council of Friends earlier this year. Seven people with a refugee background, knowledge of our work and the field and, above all, a sharp eye, keep us on our toes. Like friends do."

Moe, Randa, Hord, Ömer, Pegy, Razan and Saït jointly form the Council of Friends - we will soon introduce them to you personally on the information page on our website. Their individual experiences, coupled with those of people around them, and from their working lives in the Netherlands now, provide a wealth of valuable points. Three meetings with this group of people have now been completed. The first points for improvement have been addressed and a lot of brainstorming has already taken place. No shortage of ideas and feedback! For example, there was the valid point that the selection criteria for our activities are not always completely transparent - on which immediate action was taken - and our efforts in the field of retention were critically examined - and improvements are now being made.

Event surrounding the 1,000th match: will you come too?

 One of the topics that was central last time was working on a community of newcomers. Something we see as part of our Hub: we have the opportunity to connect people with each other from a community perspective, to expand their networks. And that can be done better than we are doing now. Very valuable to be able to discuss this immediately with our Council of Friends.

 What came out? We are organizing a great event in November , for all the more than 1,000 (!) people who have found a job (internship with the intention of) through Refugee Talent Hub in the past six years. Of course, other interested parties are also more than welcome. Register immediately!