On Thursday 20 June, Refugee Talent Hub organized the annual public event Newcomers & Work, this year at Rabobank. It was a special occasion where around 300 employers, social organizations and newcomers came together to underline the power of diversity and talent. I would like to share the highlights in this blog.
Please note: this article was translated using a translator app
On June 20, the room in the 'Binoculars', Rabobank's beautiful head office in Utrecht, was filled with people interested in Newcomers & Work. The theme this afternoon was 'big dreams start small', and our chairman Nizar El Manouzi immediately got the audience thinking with a thought-provoking quote: “ What if your dreams are bigger than the place where you were born? ”
Head in the clouds, feet on the ground, and head in the wind
During her opening speech, Wilma Roozenboom, director of Refugee Talent Hub, mentioned the legal and practical obstacles we encounter, but emphasized our solution-oriented approach and mission: a Netherlands where newcomers fully participate in society. She called on employers and the wider public to look beyond limiting images and embrace talent. “Let's chase our dreams. Head in the clouds, feet on the ground, and head in the wind,” says Wilma. Janine Vos, Group Management Member and Chief HR Officer at Rabobank, inspired the audience by speaking about the need for diversity, equality and inclusion, and the ambitions, results and lessons when hiring newcomers at Rabobank.
We can be key figures, each of us. Let's open doors!
Janine Vos, Groepsdirectielid en Chief HR Officer bij Rabobank
Anyone who wants to make change must separate fact from fiction
In his keynote, Arnon Grunberg spoke about the influence of fiction and myths on reality, especially in the debate on migration. He showed how misconceptions and fear surrounding refugees often cloud the facts. Grunberg stated that migration is not only a matter of economics, but also of human dignity and justice. He advocated a nuanced approach that separates fact from fiction, so that a constructive conversation is possible that does justice to the complicated issues surrounding migration. Read Arnon's story in our white paper.
During the entrepreneurial panel, Stijn Otten (founder HeatTransformers), Rob Knigge (Managing Director Accenture) and Patrick Warmerdam (Team Manager ANWB Roadside Assistance) discussed their experiences and insights about hiring newcomers. Their message was clear: whether you are a large corporate organization or a small business owner, it doesn't have to be complicated to get started. Even with small steps, as an employer you can directly contribute to an inclusive working environment.
When you start working together, someone is no longer a stranger, but a colleague
Frank Candel, Voorzitter Raad van Bestuur Vluchtelingenwerk
After the break, three (former) candidates from Refugee Talent Hub, Riham Bairamli, Girmay Baraki and Fuat Yavuz, talked about their experiences on the Dutch labor market. They talked about the challenges they encounter, how they deal with cultural differences, their expectations in a new society and their successes so far. Nizar and Frank Candel, Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Council for Refugees, then reflected on the insights from the group interview.
Manon van Beek, CEO of TenneT, shared an inspiring message about how big dreams start small and the power of future-oriented thinking. She emphasized the urgency of the energy transition and the value that newcomers can add to organizations and society. Manon called on employers to take the first step towards an inclusive and successful future.
Integration is a 'two-way street', where both newcomers and society must embrace each other.
Karien van Gennip, Minister van Sociale Zaken
Minister of Social Affairs, Karien van Gennip, closed the public event with an inspiring keynote. She emphasized the value of work for newcomers: it provides self-confidence, pride, income, and promotes integration and offers social enrichment. Van Gennip advocates an inclusive labor market, where diversity leads to new insights and better decision-making. By breaking through prejudices and investing in diversity, we not only strengthen teams, but also society.
Afterwards there was plenty of discussion; dreams were shared, drinks and networking took place. We look back on a very successful afternoon and we thank all participants, speakers and partners who contributed to the success of this day!
Would you like to know more about Newcomers & Work, and the contributions of our speakers? Download the Whitepaper here!
Would you like to know more about how you as an employer can contribute to an inclusive working environment? Please contact us.
