UN partners with Indian college and business chamber to boost refugee self-reliance

The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has joined hands with the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Ethiraj College for Women in Chennai to advance the self-reliance and social inclusion of refugees living in India. The three organizations signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on education, research, and community engagement programs designed to help refugees build sustainable livelihoods.

The partnership leverages the academic resources of Ethiraj College for Women alongside the technical expertise of UNHCR and the operational network of the SICCI-UNHCR Partnership Forum. The forum has been working to support the socio-economic integration of refugees in India, with a particular focus on Sri Lankan refugees who have settled in Tamil Nadu over the years.

Under the agreement, the Department of Social Work at Ethiraj College will act as the nodal department responsible for coordinating and rolling out joint initiatives. The MoU was formally signed by P. Ganapathi, former president of SICCI, V.M. Muralidharan, Chairman of Ethiraj College for Women, and S. Uma Gowrie, Principal and Secretary of the college. Valan Michael, UNHCR Head of Field Office, was present at the signing ceremony.

The collaboration is expected to create pathways for refugees to access education and vocational training while strengthening ties between academic institutions, the private sector, and humanitarian agencies. By pooling resources and expertise, the partners aim to address barriers that prevent refugees from achieving economic independence and integrating into local communities.

The initiative marks a significant step in India's approach to refugee welfare, particularly in Tamil Nadu, which hosts a substantial population of Sri Lankan refugees. The partnership underscores the growing recognition that durable solutions for displaced populations require coordinated efforts across government, civil society, and the business community.