Community Voice on the Global Stage
Our team was in Geneva for the Global Refugee Forum to make new connections, build new bridges and keep growing support for refugees through the power of sports.
This event, organised by UNHCR the UN Refugee Agency, brings together governments, private sector leaders, NGOs, and refugee-led organisations. It's a moment to come together, be accountable for past efforts, and reiterate commitments, especially in a challenging context marked by shrinking humanitarian budgets and an increase in conflicts worldwide.
Dicko, Alex, Perrine, Fleur, Fatimetou, and Abdallah from M'bera and Amsterdam.
This year was particularly special for KLABU. Fatimetou, who is our girls’ mobiliser from the M’bera Spirit clubhouse in Mauritania, took the stage to speak about the power of sport in protection, inclusion, and community building.
She brought the voices of women and girls from M’bera into a global policy space with remarkable strength, clarity, and grace.
Throughout the week, many discussions highlighted the urgent need to shift power and resources toward refugee-led and local organisations, strengthen cooperation with host countries, and recognise the growing role of cities in welcoming and integrating displaced communities. The discussions all echo KLABU’s own work and reinforce the importance of locally rooted, community-driven spaces.
Fatimetou with UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi
"When a country chooses to include rather than exclude, it creates hope and builds social, cultural, and economic bridges between our two communities. Mauritania did this for us. And for that, I wish to express my deep gratitude."
