CARFMS Conference, Montreal, 7-9 May, 2014 Claire Tempier and Petra Molnar Diop

1. CARFMS Conference, Montreal, 7-9 May, 2014Claire Tempier and Petra Molnar Diop 1

2. Presentation Overview • SINGA Overview • Current Research on ICTs • Canadian Context • Comparing with other countries • Recommendations http://singa.fr 2

3. Partnerships

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5. Mandate • Co-founded by Guillaume Capelle and Nathanael Molle in February 2012, SINGA’s mandate is to reinforce societies in host countries through interaction with refugees. • SINGA’s projects highlight the positive impact of refugees in in order to radically alter the discourse surrounding asylum and to modify the stigmatization of refugees.

6. SINGA Difference • Mentorship by entrepreneurs relevant to the refugee’s business idea and background • French classes adapted to the specific needs of the refugee • Workshops on socio-cultural contexts • Assistance with administrative and fiscal matters with an entrepreneur or professional sponsor • Collective brainstorming and collaboration with local entrepreneurs • Assistance by SINGA and its partners to help the entrepreneur find funding

7. SINGA Projects http://www.kisskissbankbank.com/singa-projets 7

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11. Awareness • Awareness about the organization is done through social media, and publication of reports on its website. • SINGA works with a wide range of volunteers, from researchers to language and integration instructors. • Public outreach includes engaging the civil society and local entrepreneurs • Press conference during World Refugee Day 2013 and other public outreach.

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13. Research • Provide a comparative analysis of how host countries are coping with influx of refugees and refugee claimants and how host countries are making use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to better address the needs of refugees. • Create a network of individuals interested in and conscious of the role that ICTs can play in assisting refugees to build new lives in the countries in which they settle. • Raise awareness about best practices surrounding the use of ICTs. • Provide a comprehensive review of the use of ICTs by refugee support organizations. • Identify the potential risks that emanate from the use of ICT for refugee support organisations and refugees themselves.

14. Information and Communication Technologies • Technologies that provide access to information through telecommunication. • For the purpose of the study, we are interested in social networking, online funding platforms, websites, video media, online conference tools and smartphone and telephone usage. • How can we use ICTs for social and economical integration of refugees?

15. Methodology of the Research • Standardized quantitative and qualitative research methods were used globally by teams of volunteer researchers • Researchers were actively encouraged to communicate during the research process using a secure online messaging and file-repository system. • SINGA created a secure social network group for the researcher teams in order to openly discuss about their progress, share documents, opinions and ideas. SINGA monitored an online storage system of database and relevant material from the researchers, maintaining strict confidentiality. • A semi-directed questionnaire was prepared to guide researchers when interviewing RSOs and refugees.

16. The Canadian Context • This paper explores how ICTs are used by refugee claimants upon their arrival in Canada and while they go through the process of claiming refugee status. • We also examine how refugee serving organizations (RSOs) use technologies in their daily operations to support their clients and provide their settlement services. • Focused on refugee claimants and RSOs in Toronto and Ottawa.

17. Interviewing Refugees • 10 refugee claimants, ages 17-60 • Country of Origin examples: Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan. • Most were in Canada less than 1 year, one has been resettled for 6 years. • The refugees who agreed to be interviewed for this study were autonomous asylum seekers.

18. Interviewing RSOs • A total of 10 RSOs were contacted, including UNHCR and Catholic Centre for Immigrants in Ottawa, as well as three settlement organisations in Toronto. • A doctor providing free refugee health care through a community clinic, and a community activist were also interviewed • The settlement organisations profiled provide lodging, language classes, and referrals to medical and legal services for asylum seekers in Canada.

19. Refugee ICT Use • Access to technology and the internet varied greatly between the refugees profiled. • Depended on which settlement organization and access to disposable income to supplement the limited access to technology that some organizations provided. Internet Access • Refugee claimants expressed great worry and fear about not being able to access information on the internet about asylum process, news from family and friends, communication with lawyers and health professionals “Living in Canada without internet would be a dark time” - Father of 5, Lesotho

20. Great Variation between RSOs – very little tono basic internet access vs. free wifi to all residents • Internet access greatly improves access to information and made refugee claimants feel more at ease with the difficult process of trying to gain refugee status in Canada. • Many refugees came equipped with technologies. • Regular internet access can empower refugee claimants, allow them to gain control of their refugee process, access to future settlement services, aid in integration. • Phone access equally important – requirement for many immigration and settlement services.

21. Communication Strategies • Every refugee interviewed spoke about importance of keeping connected with family and friends “back home” • Keeping connected with family and friends paramount for refugee’s well being during asylum process in Canada. • Connections with new Canadian community • Calling cards, for those with regular wifi access Skype, WhatsApp, Blackberry Messenger and social media such as Facebook and Twitter “Last year, I met a friend. She is Arab. She went back to her country, Saudi Arabia. We use BBM and practice our English together.” - Colombian woman, mid-twenties

22. Empowerment by ICTs • Giving a sense of agency back to refugee claimants in their asylum process “My brother who is also learning English told me: ‘when can you talk on the phone, you are ok…I can make an appointment with a doctor now!” Young man from DRC “Here, everything was by email, internet. In my country, you need to go everywhere by person. Here, it’s ‘apply online, apply online!’ Resumes online, not in paper..Government should make it mandatory for organizations to have access to internet. Not just for resources and information, but proof of legal cases, family communication” Woman from Colombia, resettled for 6 years

23. Divergent Approaches to Providing ICT Access • Many asylum seekers are bringing technology with them to Canada. • RSOs generally seem to be behind the times. • Disconnect between the way that the settlement sector in Canada is responding to the increased dependence on technologies by asylum seekers. • Increasing access to technology allows for critical dialogue between refugee claimants and the various services they access.

24. Recommendations • Use of ICTs by refugees and refugee claimants provides a framework for discussing the various responses that host countries take when dealing with the settlement and integration of refugees. • Access to technology is necessary in order for people to feel connected both to their new communities as well as their countries of origin. • More access to ICTs can improve the autonomy of refugee claimants and empower them to take charge of their asylum process in Canada.

25. International Comparisons • Kenya Report on ICTs and Refugees • Tajikistan Report on ICTs and Refugees

26. The Kenyan context • Research conducted in the Dadaab camp and amongst urban refugees in Kenya. • A total of 10 RSOs were contacted, including UNHCR • 20 refugee claimants were interviewed. • Mobile phone is the most important form of ICT used. • Mainly used for communicating with relatives and friends, search for employment opportunities, academic purposes and following the news headlines in their home country. • Risks of use of mobile phone linked to it being tapped in inter twined in security issues. 26 21

27. The Tajikistan context • Research conducted in the capital Dushanbe. • A total of 4 RSOs were contacted, including UNHCR, the Danish Refugee Council and Children and Vulnerable Citizens • 1 refugee claimant was interviewed • Mobile phone is the most important form of ICT used. • Mainly used for communicating with their community members • No relevant literature on ICTs and Refugees 27 22

28. Conclusions • Snapshot, small case study highlighting importance of technology in daily lives of 21st century refugee claimants. • Reticence from RSOs contacted to engage in the discussion about the use of ICTs for and by refugees. • WUSC and BHER : 2 initiatives embracing ICTs. • There is a need to further engage RSOs in the use of ICTs. Using successful models and making changes as small as making wifi available to residents of shelters can have tremendous impact. • Encourage donors to fund activities involving the use of ICTs

29. Questions • Thank you! Merci!