Strategic realignment and new appointment - ChangeMakers Refugee Forum

Wellington - ChangeMakers Refugee Forum is pleased to announce that they will be undertaking a review of the services they provide to Wellington's refugee-background communities according to their strategic priorities.

"After celebrating our 10th anniversary last year, ChangeMakers has decided it is a good time to review the good work we do to support our former refugee communities to actively participate in our city," says Ibrahim Omer, Chair of ChangeMakers.

"As an essential part of the Wellington landscape, we want to ensure we continue to meet the changing needs of our former refugee communities over the coming 10 years. This includes connecting with other like-mind organisations and individuals, and helping people understand the contribution refugee-background people make to the local and national environment," says Ibrahim.

A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee their home country and is unable or unwilling to return due to fear of persecution. However this is only one side of the former refugee journey. Most people go on to successfully settle into their new country and build a life here including working, raising families, and contributing to both the economy and their local community.

Rochelle Stewart-Allen has been appointed as Interim General Manager for ChangeMakers Refugee Forum to undertake the review process and lead the transition during this period. This appointment follows on from Mozhdeh Wafa finishing up as Operations Manager on 4 August 2017.

Rochelle's background includes working with refugees and migrants through her time with the Multicultural Services Centre, Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research (Victoria University), and Office of Ethnic Affairs (now Office of Ethnic Communities). Rochelle is looking forward to building new linkages between the government, businesses, communities and ChangeMakers Refugee Forum.

"It's time we start changing the narrative about the contribution that former refugees go on to provide to our wider communities," says Rochelle. "I'm looking forward to working with ChangeMakers Refugee Forum, our former refugee communities, and our supporters to build an even stronger organisation."

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