Displaced Talent for Europe (DT4E) Conference 2024

We are delighted to announce the Displaced Talent for Europe (DT4E) conference, set to take place in Brussels and online on 11 and 12 September 2024. This event will bring together stakeholders and policymakers from across Europe to discuss and shape the future of labour mobility pathways for refugees.

Over the course of two dynamic days, participants will have an opportunity to delve into the learnings and insights of the EU-funded and IOM-led DT4E programme, paving the way for robust discussion on advancing refugee labour mobility in Europe and beyond.

Various expert panels will reflect on themes such as private sector and employer engagement, barriers to mobility and the European legal framework on refugee labour mobility. Attendees will also get to hear from DT4E participants about their experiences with coming to Europe through DT4E. Workshops will aim to spark discussion on crucial thematic areas, including sustainable finance; language and skills recognition; integration; and healthcare pathways.

The in-person event will be hosted at The Faculty Brussels (Rue des Vétérinaires 47, 1070 Anderlecht, Brussels). The plenary sessions will also be livestreamed for online attendees and links will be made available closer to the date.

The initial agenda, as well as a logistical note, can be found in the resources below.

Learn more about DT4E

Meet the panels

Day 1:

Panel 1: Putting Complementary Labour Pathways to Europe into Practice

Reflect on DT4E, discuss outcomes, challenges and solutions, and share best practices and key learnings from Belgium, Ireland, Portugal and UK

Moderator:

Marina Brizar - UK & EU Director Talent Beyond Boundaries

Panel members:

Rob De Lobel - Head of Unit Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion, IOM Belgium and Luxembourg

Gemma Hyslop - Senior Manager, Fragomen

Christopher Millward - Complementary pathways Senior Policy Advisor, UK Home Office

Katrien Degrauwe - Head of Unit, Legal pathways, Fedasil

Khaled Akar - Network Field Technician & Talent Beyond Boundaries Alumnus

Panel 2: Focus on the private sector

Explore building a business case, storytelling for impact, cost-benefit analysis and securing employer commitment.

Moderator:

David Crawford - Partner, Fragomen

Panel members:

Veronika Casteur Petrzelkova - Market Director International Recruitment, Accent Jobs

Jessica White - Head of Social Impact, EMEA & LatAM, LinkedIN

Anthony Catlow - International Regional Director, NHSP

Belen Zanzuchi - Associate Policy Analyst, MPI

Stephanie Winet - Head of Stakeholder Engagement, IOE

Panel 3: View from the Source

Examine challenges from candidates' perspectives, including pre-departure issues, overcoming exit permits and mobility barriers.

Moderator:

Holly Asquith - Head of UK Programmes, Talent Beyond Boundaries

Panel members:

Lara White - Senior Labour Migration Specialist, IOM Lebanon

Melissa Martino - Complementary Pathways Expert, UNHCR Brussels

Daniele Albanese - Head of EU Programmes, Talent Beyond Boundaries

Khaled Akar - Network Field Technician & Talent Beyond Boundaries Alumnus

Sara Chabayta - Senior Staff Nurse at the Royal Marsden Hospital & Talent Beyond Boundaries Alumna

Day 2:

Panel 1: The legal framework for Displaced Talent Mobility in Europe: Challenges and Perspectives

Explore current immigration pathways and solutions in EU Member States and the EU's role in facilitating refugee labour mobility in Europe.

Moderator:

Irene de Lorenzo-Caceres Cantero - Policy lead, EU-funded Initiatives, Pathways International

Panel members:

Paola Alvarez - Global Thematic Specialist Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion, IOM's Global Office in Brussels

Jamila El Masbahi - Economic Migration Lawyer, Policy Unit, Department for Work and Social Economy of Flanders

Fatima Aydin - Senior Immigration Manager, Fragomen

Mauro Gagliardi - Deputy Head of Unit, Legal Pathways and Integration, DG HOME at the European Commission

Parallel workshop sessions 1

1. Sustainable Finance

An interactive session aimed at examining and developing innovative financing models for scaling labour mobility pathways, with a focus on co-financing successes and challenges.

2. Bridging the Gap between Talent and Employment

Identify gaps and opportunities in talent and employment, focusing on language and vocational training, the hire-train-move model and diploma and skills recognition.

More information coming soon!

Parallel workshop sessions 2

1. Integration

An interactive session aimed at discussing effective integration practices and identifying potential gaps, with a view to ensure security, orientation and community belonging for relocating displaced talent.

2. Healthcare Pathways

Analyse healthcare pathways through candidate, employer and stakeholder case studies to understand diverse perspectives and collaborative solutions.

How to get to the conference

The DT4E conference will be held at The Faculty Brussels. The exact address of the venue is the following: Rue des Vétérinaires 47, 1070 Anderlecht, Belgium.

Contact | The Faculty Brussels

If you arrive by air at Zaventem airport, you can make use of the various trains and buses directed to Brussels which depart frequently from the airport or you can take a taxi.

If you arrive by air at Charleroi airport, you can take the shuttle bus (or the Door 2 Gate taxi) managed by Flibco – see their website for more information, prices, and bookings.

If you arrive by train at Gare du Midi, you can make use of the various busses, trams and metro lines that depart/go through the station, or you can take a taxi – see section on “Getting Around Brussels” here below.

Getting around Brussels

Brussels is very simple to navigate and easily accessible. If you want to travel around the capital, it’s better to choose soft mobility and public transport. Public transport in Brussels is operated by STIB/MIVB, and consists of metro, tram and bus.

Where to buy your ticket: In public transport with contactless payment. You can pay for your trip using your contactless bank card (debit or credit), smartphone or smartwatch. Every STIB/MIVB bus, tram and metro station is equipped with a specific contactless payment device. This device supports any bank card with the contactless logo. For smartphones and smartwatches, compatible payment applications are Google Pay, Apple Pay, Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay. In the various metro stations and at the STIB/MIVB information offices. We advise you to consult the www.stib-mivb.be website for more information on ticket prices. A map of the Brussels metro lines can be consulted below.

Contact