People with lived experience of seeking refuge in Scotland met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi recently, during his visit to marking four decades of refugee support in Scotland.
The meeting was a key moment in the High Commissioner’s visit, providing an opportunity to hear directly from New Scots Core Group Advisers – refugees and people in the asylum process who are shaping the policies and services that affect their lives.
The roundtable, held at the Scottish Parliament, brought together voices from refugee backgrounds to share their experiences and highlight the importance of including lived expertise in national decision-making. The New Scots Core Group work closely with Scottish Refugee Council and other organisations to advocate for a more humane and effective refugee protection system.
Sabir Zazai, Chief Executive of Scottish Refugee Council, said:
“People rebuilding their lives in Scotland bring extraordinary resilience and insight. It’s vital that their voices are heard at every level, from local communities to the United Nations.”
Filippo Grandi, who has served as UN High Commissioner for Refugees since 2016, said: “To see the strength and leadership of the New Scots Core Group Advisers gives me real hope. They are not only shaping their own futures, but Scotland’s too.”
