As part of the Global Refugee Forum 2023 official programme, a range of linked events are taking place throughout Geneva in the lead-up to and during the Forum.

Amongst these, the Refugee Leadership Multipurpose Space (R-Space) will be located at Impact Hub Geneva, with events and activities taking place daily from 12 December to 15 December, from 10:00 to 19:00.

The Open Society Foundations and Robert Bosch Stiftung are hosting a multipurpose space for representatives of refugee-led organizations and refugee leaders (R-Space) during the 2023 Global Refugee Forum. The objective is to provide a safe space for refugees to freely exchange ideas and organize events, workshops, performances and other related activities.

The daily agenda has been curated by refugee leaders and include activities organized by RLOs and their partners, along with dedicated time slots for informal networking.

All activities are linked by a common theme: “Refugee Leadership”, but many topics will be discussed, including: funding and resourcing RLOs, refugee representation in national and global policy, challenges facing refugee students, local protection initiatives, etc. We hope to facilitate engagement between refugee leaders and donors to foster collaboration and partnerships.

All events and activities will be co-organized and attended by refugees. Most events will be open to the public (free walk-ins) and all informations can be found in the agenda.

About the Global Refugee Forum

The Global Refugee Forum 2023 takes place from 13 to 15 December at the Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland, with linked events held in other locations from 11 December onwards.

Held every four years, the Forum is the world’s largest international gathering on refugees. It is designed to support the practical implementation of the objectives set out in the Global Compact on Refugees: Ease pressures on host countries, enhance refugee self-reliance, increase access to third-country solutions and improve conditions in countries of origin.

It provides the opportunity for States and stakeholders to announce concrete pledges and contributions, highlight progress made, share good practices and take stock of the challenges and opportunities ahead.

The 2023 Forum is co-convened by five States – Colombia, France, Japan, Jordan and Uganda, and co-hosted by the Government of Switzerland and UNHCR.