Webinar | From Displacement to Development: Challenges and Opportunities to the Economic Inclusion of Venezuelans in Colombia

January 27, 2021

The economic, political, and social collapse of Venezuela has pushed more than 5 million Venezuelans to seek protection abroad. With around 1.8 million Venezuelans, Colombia hosts more displaced Venezuelans than any other country in the world. Colombia has implemented a robust humanitarian response and measures to integrate Venezuelans into its economy. Yet, despite the generous support, hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans still face practical and legal barriers to obtain formal jobs. And the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have only made the situation worse. 

As part of the “Let Them Work” Initiative, Refugees International and the Center for Global Development (CGD) invite you to a discussion on the status of the economic inclusion of Venezuelans in Colombia, its potential benefits, and possible solutions in the context of COVID. 

Featuring

Helen Dempster, Assistant Director & Senior Associate, Center for Global Development

Martha Guerrero Ble, Program Associate, Refugees International

Lucas Gómez, Advisor to the President of Colombia for the Colombian-Venezuelan Border

Taimur Samad, World Bank

Ana Eugenia Durán, IOM Chief of Mission in Colombia

Fredy Laiton, Sunshine Bouquet

Toni Vitola, Vice President of COLVENZ, Venezuelan community in Colombia 

Moderator: Stéphanie López, Non-resident contractor, Labor Market Access Project at Center for Global Development & Refugees International