How business can help stem the refugee crisis
The global refugee crisis continues to be a main focus at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, as attendees discuss the roles of the public and private sectors and what businesses can do to aid the 60 million displaced. David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, believes the Davos conference has been a critical moment in the conversation because CEOs are paying attention to the refugee crisis now more than ever. He also challenged the U.S. presidential hopefuls to move beyond what he called "fear mongering" on the subject.
"I think that it's in the very early days to be talking about solutions to the refugee crisis, but being in Davos with CEOs who are saying 'we understand that the refugee crisis is now a corporate issue not just a government issue,' feels to me like an important turning point," Miliband said. "So I think that the farsighted CEOs who are at this conference ... are asking what can my employees do? Can they be mentoring refugees who are arriving, whether in Europe or in the U.S.? What can our companies offer in terms of expertise about the way in which humanitarian organizations can work?"
More companies are focusing on social imperatives, as noted in the 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer. The survey -- which asks respondents how much they trust government, business, nongovernmental organizations and the media -- found people view government as inefficient. So, in contrast, businesses can be seen as accountable. Edelman found that 61 percent of respondents view business as the institution most trusted to keep pace with rapid change, far more than government (41 percent). Business is also significantly more trusted in 21 out of 28 countries that were surveyed.
Miliband also explained why companies are stepping in to bridge the gaps in current aid efforts. "I think the refugee crisis has big implications for business because the humanitarian crises that we see in the Middle East now spilling into Europe have very clear implications, not just for political stability but for business investment and business growth," he said.
Under President Obama, the U.S. has provided $4.5 billion in aid to people displaced by conflict and has committed to increasing the number of refugees admitted into the country to 100,000 in the next two years. The presidential candidates' debates have focused on this issue, with critics, most notably Donald Trump, opposing refugees in fear of national security threats.
Miliband bemoaned what he called "fear mongering" in the 2016 presidential campaign. "My message to the presidential hopefuls, but also to those in elected office, is that the U.S. has a proven system for admitting refugees in a safe and secure way into the country," he said.
"It's a practical thing to do because the screening system that exists in America means that there's never been a Syrian refugee arrested for terrorism charges," he said. "It's a smart thing to do because the last thing that ISIS wants is for America to show what it means to be a beacon of tolerance and respect across lines of race and religion."