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2020 IEI Summit

2020 Immigrant Economic Integration Virtual Summit

December 14—17, 2020

Building Momentum for a New Decade

This four-day virtual event is being held in conjunction with our third annual Skilled Immigrant Integration Program (SIIP) convening. The interactive summit will host 24 state and local communities from across the United States that are focused on the economic and workforce integration of immigrants and refugees. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from immigrant leaders, state and local practitioners, and policymakers who are committed to advancing the academic and economic mobility of immigrants and refugees.

Event Program

All times listed in Eastern Standard Time (EST)

December 14
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Investing in Immigrant and Refugee Talent Through Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Employers are increasingly recognizing and investing in the talent of their immigrant and refugee workforce. Meanwhile, a growing number of immigrant and refugee service providers are strengthening their engagement with local employers to identify opportunities for new Americans in the workforce. Join this session to engage in a thoughtful conversation among employers, service providers, and funders collaborating to advance innovative solutions to help immigrant and refugee talent connect to workforce opportunities that value their international education and experience.

Speakers: Anson Green, Tyson; Monica Munn, WES Mariam Assefa Fund; Jina Krause-Vilmar, Upwardly Global; Emmanuel Owusu, African Bridge Network; Sanjita Pradhan, Greater Des Moines Partnership

December 15
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Understanding Opportunities to Support Internationally Trained Immigrants and Refugees Through Traditional Federal Funding

Refugee and immigrant service providers throughout the United States serve clients with a wide array of educational and professional backgrounds using federal workforce dollars. However, this funding often has limitations that can prevent providers from creating more robust programming to meet the needs of immigrants and refugees with international education and experience. Join this session to participate in a conversation with leaders in workforce and refugee resettlement as they discuss ways to leverage federal dollars allowing for the creation of innovative programming that recognizes the education and skills immigrants and refugees bring to the workforce.

Speakers: Brooke Valle, San Diego Workforce Partnership; Amanda Bergson-Schilcock, National Skills Coalition; Nicole Pumphrey, Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians; Debra Means-West, WES Global Talent Bridge; Seyoum Berhe, Virginia Office of New Americans

December 16
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Breaking Barriers for Internationally Trained Immigrants and Refugees in Regulated Professions

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, workforce needs to support public health efforts and move towards an equitable economic recovery have become increasingly urgent. In many sectors that are key to recovery, there are significant barriers preventing internationally trained immigrants and refugees from entering professions that fully utilize their skills. Join this session to participate in a conversation with public health experts, regulators, local government, and service providers to discuss how to address these barriers and clear pathways for qualified immigrants and refugees to enter regulated professions.

Speakers: Mike Zimmer, WES Global Talent Bridge; José Ramón Fernández-Peña, Welcome Back Initiative/American Public Health Association (APHA); Victoria Francis, International Rescue Committee; Julia Trujillo, Office of Economic Opportunity, City of Portland, ME

December 17
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Opportunities to Elevate Promising State Policy and Program Interventions in a New Federal Landscape

As the United States transitions to new leadership and a more cohesive federal immigrant integration strategy, it is more important than ever to recognize state-led efforts and accomplishments over the past four years, including initiatives in areas from language access to workforce development. Join this session to hear from state and national leaders about promising state-led efforts and opportunities to elevate those efforts at the federal level with a new administration.

Speakers: Rich Andre, New American Economy; Eva Millona, MIRA Coalition/National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA); Karen Phillippi, New Americans Office of Global Michigan; Felicia Escobar, The Beacon Fund; Johanna Calle, New Jersey Office of New Americans, Esther Benjamin, World Education Services

Participating speakers and panelists include representatives from: American Public Health Association (APHA), African Bridge Network, The Beacon Fund, Greater Des Moines Partnership, International Rescue Committee (IRC), MIRA Coalition, National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), National Skills Coalition, New American Economy (NAE), New Americans Office of Global Michigan, New Jersey Office of New Americans, Office of Economic Opportunity/City of Portland, San Diego Workforce Partnership, Tyson, Virginia Office of New Americans, Upwardly Global, Welcome Back Initiative, Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians, The WES Mariam Assefa Fund

Registration

If you received an invitation to this event and would like to attend, please register below. For questions about the event or registration, email [email protected].


Presented by:

World Education Services
WES Global Talent Bridge is dedicated to helping skilled immigrants fully utilize their talents and education in Canada and the United States. We join with institutional partners, community-based organizations, and policymakers to help skilled immigrants use their skills, leverage their training, and achieve their academic and professional goals.