Diversity Breakfast: Including Former Refugees In Our Work

Diversity Works New Zealand, in partnership with Refugees As Survivors New Zealand, is pleased to present a briefing for people leaders on including former refugees and Muslim employees in your workplace.

During a short breakfast session, you will grow your understanding of the facts and realities for these important communities and how you can best help employees from these communities feel welcome, valued and valuable in your organisation. We will cover three key topics and there will be time for questions and interaction.

The refugee journey
The realities of the Muslim community in New Zealand
Introduction to an experience-driven model of engaging cross-culturally
Presenters:

Fahima Saeid grew up in Kabul, Afghanistan, completed her study and graduated from Kabul University as a medical doctor in 1988. As a doctor, she worked in different cities around Afghanistan with a primary focus to improve the quality of life for women and children.

In the last five years of her career, Fahima worked for Médecins Sans Frontière (MSF) helping remote and internally displaced refugee communities in Afghanistan, before moving to New Zealand in 2001. She then trained as a counsellor and followed her passion to support refugees and their families to overcome the emotional challenges of resettlement. She has worked with RASNZ since 2006 as an Advocate Counsellor and Family Service Coordinator and holds a wide range of skills in both healthcare and community development.

Fahima is also interested in utilising group work to provide refugee women and children with a safe place to come together to deal with social isolation, regain their sense of identity, celebrating their cultural diversity and learn some new parenting skills.

Mathew Kalloor is a registered Counselling Psychologist and is the Clinical Team Leader of the RASNZ service working out the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre in Auckland. He is also the Research and Training coordinator for RASNZ. Mat holds a master’s degree in Health Science (Psychology) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology from the Auckland University of Technology.

His master’s research topic was on Traumatic Brain Injury and its impact on the everyday life of survivors. His current research interest is on understanding trauma in the context of critical as well as everyday experiences, and exploring the impact of these experiences on decision making, emotional well-being, and on inter-personal relationships.

Prior to coming to New Zealand, Mat worked overseas in the social services sector – including homelessness, community development, and youth development.

MC:
Rachel Hopkins is the Chief Executive of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to equity and empowerment for all New Zealanders. She is Chair of the Ministry for Youth Development Partnership Fund and an independent director of crowdfunding platform PledgeMe, and, until recently, sat on the establishment board of the Auckland Foundation’s Women’s Fund and on the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles Committee for New Zealand. Rachel has degrees in Law and Feminist Studies from the University of Canterbury, studied Design Thinking at Stanford University and is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors.

There is no charge for this event, thank you to our Alliance Partner Russell McVeagh for their support. However please book tickets to secure your seat as places are limited.