SUS INIMA was invited to Geneva to participate in the meeting between UNHCR and NGOs. Carmen Chindriș, one of the founders and president of the NGO SUS INIMA, together with Lu Knobloch, funds&grants and founder of SUS INIMA, attended the meeting which took place from 7 to 10 June 2022. There were 80 NGO representatives from all over the world. From Sibiu, alongside SUS INIMA, the Sibiu Community Foundation was present, namely Ciprian Ciocan, Executive Director and Ana Bugneriu, Programme Director.

What is UNHCR?

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced and stateless communities. Since 1950, through their work, UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) has ensured that all those fleeing violence, persecution, war or disaster in their country of origin have the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge. The organisation has more than 17 300 staff working in 135 countries, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

The theme of the meeting was “Climate change and localisation”.

The climate crisis we are currently facing, according to UNHCR, is creating difficult situations for millions of people who are forced to leave their countries, often already affected by internal conflict, in search of help and safety in neighbouring countries. UNHCR and much of the humanitarian sector are committed to “strengthening national and local humanitarian action” and therefore working towards more careful selection of intervention sites that include organisations formed and led by affected people, improving communication channels, supporting existing capacities and strengthening mutual learning between local and international entities. More attention should be paid to removing barriers in the way of participation. Both site selection and climate action are based on inclusive approaches and accountability to affected populations.

It should seek to amplify local/marginalised voices in addressing related challenges and should strive to ensure equitable access to assistance and protection, and to decision-making for all people served by UNHCR.

Main objectives of the meeting:

1. Exchange information on progress on region-specific recommendations and commitments made through the 2021 UNHCR-NGO monthly and regional consultations; and review those that could be endorsed to become global recommendations.
2. Develop new recommendations to inform future collaboration between UNHCR and NGOs to prepare and respond to protection challenges and solutions related to location and climate action.
3. Feed into global processes such as UNHCR’s Strategic Framework for Climate Action and preparations for the second GRF (Global Refugee Forum) in 2023.

SUS INIMA was invited because of its commitment to Ukrainian refugees in the conflict with Russia, setting up the Ukrainian Centre in Sibiu, where refugees can get help to find accommodation, jobs, educational opportunities and more.

In addition, SUS INIMA opened the first Ukrainian school in Sibiu, giving over 200 primary school children the chance to continue their education, and is now working to give Ukrainian refugee children in middle and high school the same opportunity.

Carmen Chindris, President of SUS INIMA, on this important experience:

“I have wanted for a long time to see what is happening at the UN, at the “high level”. What I saw were people like us, with NGOs like ours. The difference was unity. Many people, with many NGOs, together, make the world a better place for many, many people.

I’m grateful that I could see that no matter how small you are or consider yourself, together with others who have the same goal, the power to change is great.”