Do You See Problem or Possibility? Why Changing Your Focus Can Change Your World

Leaders who focus on finding possibility forge a strategic edge.

“I always think about the family members and the friendships we lost because we were on the move. I miss the evenings when we used to sit together. I miss the Euphrates River. I often think about the bridge I had to cross to go to work. Every time I walked on this bridge, I closed my eyes because I was afraid. It was hanging on strong ropes, and it wasn’t fixed on concrete.” These are Kholoud’s memories, as told to Care International¹. Originally from Syria, Kholoud has been displaced multiple times and is now in Türkiye.

Kholoud continues, “Of course, I also still think about the house I left behind. To this day, I still see the door of my house in my dreams. I even miss my children’s toys! When the war broke out, our hopes and dreams collapsed. My children’s toys were lost. When we first moved to Türkiye, I felt bitter when my children saw a toy and asked me to buy it.”

Millions of displaced people like Kholoud have basic needs and humble desires. And, there’s group of leaders with the global ambition to address the challenges faced by these millions of people.

A Growing, Global Problem

At the end of 2023, the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, reported 117.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, driven by persecution, conflict, violence, and human rights violations². This displacement, under the framework of 1951 Refugee Convention, obligates countries to provide asylum and protection to refugees fleeing dangerous conditions³. Despite this global commitment, the challenge remains immense and it affects certain regions far more than others.

Nearly three-quarters of all refugees come from just five countries: Afghanistan (6.4 million), the Syrian Arab Republic (6.4 million), Venezuela (6.1 million), Ukraine (6.0 million), and South Sudan (2.3 million).

On the hosting side, five countries host a significant share of the world’s displaced population: the Islamic Republic of Iran (3.8 million), Türkiye (3.3 million), Colombia (2.9 million), Germany (2.6 million), and Pakistan (2.0 million). This means that 75% of the world’s refugees are hosted by low- and middle-income countries, with 69% residing in nations neighboring their home countries.

Power to the (Possibility-Driven) People

Forcibly displaced people reflect systemic global challenges such as conflict, inequality, and political instability. It is not uncommon for displaced populations to be seen as a strain on resources, adding pressure to already fragile economies.

Yet, this perspective overlooks the potential of these people, individually and collectively. For forward-thinking leaders and organizations, these crises present opportunities to innovate and solve problems in new ways.

We see this in these organizations and leaders:

Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB)⁴
TBB connects skilled refugees with international employers. The organization leverages a global talent catalog, helping companies find and hire refugees based on their professional qualifications. This enables displaced individuals to secure jobs and rebuild their lives, while also addressing talent shortages in various industries.

Bruce and Mary Louise Cohen co-founded Talent Beyond Boundaries with a vision to help refugees access meaningful employment opportunities. Bruce is a lawyer with a long history of advocating for human rights, while Mary Louise is a clinical social worker with extensive experience in refugee resettlement. Their goal is to shift the narrative around refugees with a focus on their skills and professional contributions, rather than viewing them only as victims of displacement.

Tarjimly
This app, which means “Translate for me” in Arabic, connects refugees and humanitarian organizations with real-time translation services. It matches refugees with volunteer translators who help them navigate language barriers during critical moments like medical appointments or legal consultations. By bridging the language gap, Tarjimly provides immediate assistance in crisis situations.

Atif Javed, a former Facebook software engineer, and Kinan Wihba, a Syrian refugee and computer engineer, co-founded Tarjimly. Atif’s background in technology and Kinan’s personal experience of displacement inspired them to build the platform. The idea came about during the 2017 refugee crisis when the founders saw the urgent need for accessible translation services in emergency situations.

Re:Coded⁵
Re:Coded offers tech training programs for refugees and underserved youth in conflict-affected regions, with a focus on software development and digital skills. By equipping displaced individuals with in-demand skills, the organization helps them access job opportunities in the global tech industry, allowing for economic independence and stability.

Marcello Bonatto, a Brazilian entrepreneur with a passion for education, and Ala’ Alsallal, a Jordanian tech entrepreneur, co-founded Re:Coded to offer digital skills training for refugees. Marcello has a background in international development and has worked with NGOs globally. Ala’ is the founder of Jamalon, a former online bookstore in the Middle East, and wanted to give back by creating opportunities for displaced populations to enter the tech industry.

GiveDirectly⁶
GiveDirectly provides direct cash transfers to refugees and displaced populations, allowing them to meet their own needs in a flexible way. The organization uses mobile payment systems to send funds directly to individuals, cutting out intermediaries and empowering recipients to decide how to use the money based on their unique circumstances.

GiveDirectly was founded by four development economists - Michael Faye, Paul Niehaus, Rohit Wanchoo, and Jeremy Shapiro - who wanted to disrupt traditional models of charity by providing direct cash transfers to those in need. They were driven by research showing that cash transfers could be more efficient and empowering than in-kind aid. Michael Faye has a PhD in economics from Harvard, while Paul Niehaus is a professor of economics at the University of California, San Diego. Jeremy Shapiro is a research director at the European Council on Foreign Relations, and Rohit Wanchoois a Partner of Alpine Grove Partners.

Refugee Investment Network (RIN)⁷
RIN is a network that promotes investment in refugee-led businesses and initiatives that benefit displaced populations. They connect investors with entrepreneurs who have been affected by displacement, providing access to capital and mentorship. This helps foster economic independence and sustainable development for displaced communities.

John Kluge Jr. is an impact investor and social entrepreneur who founded RIN to connect investors with refugee-led ventures. He has a background in philanthropy and social impact, co-founding Eirene, an organization focused on sustainable solutions for global challenges. His motivation for starting RIN was to bridge the gap between investors and the refugee community, enabling displaced entrepreneurs to rebuild their lives through business.

What Gives? The Shift

The digital age is driving this shift. It enables innovative solutions from non-traditional aid and development stakeholders to address the challenges faced by displaced populations. At a high level, this shift covers:

• Digital platforms eliminate geographical barriers, facilitating global connections and providing access to opportunities that were previously out of reach.

• Real-time communication tools enhance responsiveness, allowing individuals and organizations to mobilize quickly in crisis situations.

• Online learning platforms and digital training programs offer accessible education and skills development, equipping displaced individuals with in-demand capabilities.

• Mobile technology, used in aid distribution, ensures efficient delivery of resources and bypasses traditional logistical hurdles.

• Data analytics enables the collection and processing of vast amounts of information which provide insights that can inform targeted interventions.

These factors allow scalable, efficient solutions that empower displaced populations. They create pathways for economic independence and long-term resilience. By leveraging digital tools, organizations can address both immediate needs and build sustainable models for the future.

Global Problems Possibilities that Persist

Displaced populations, especially in protracted situations, face numerous barriers such as limited access to employment, education, and healthcare. These challenges are humanitarian and developmental, as many displaced people remain in their host countries for years and require integration into local economies and societies.

Displacement impacts both refugees and their host communities and puts pressure on public services and infrastructure in already fragile regions. Additionally, an interplay exists of forced displacement with food insecurity and climate change which further complicates the situation, with over 60% of displaced people living in areas facing food crises⁸.

Think and Act Global: Diversify and Deliver Impact

As economic contraction shapes business conditions globally, many leaders and organizations remain focused on competing within established markets. However, untapped opportunities exist - displaced populations being one of them.

Here’s how leaders can explore these opportunities to make a meaningful impact:

1. Assess how your core value proposition aligns with global needs: Leaders and organizations in industries such as healthcare, education, technology, and finance can examine how their solutions could address the needs of underserved people, including displaced populations.

2. Understand the scale of the opportunity: With over 117 million displaced individuals worldwide, this presents both a humanitarian and business opportunity. Identify the needs of this growing population and the opportunities it creates. Social impact can be achieved while expanding market reach and may offer secondary benefits, including improved market positioning, attraction of diverse talent, enhanced international engagement, increased investment or shareholder diversification, and advanced business model innovation.

3. Collaborate with humanitarian organizations: Build relationships with humanitarian and aid agencies already supporting displaced communities. These partnerships can help gain insights into the needs of displaced populations and identify ways to contribute effectively. Refugee groups in cities worldwide can serve as gateways to these collaborations.

4. Invest in accessible, scalable solutions: Consider developing digital or intangible offerings that can be quickly delivered to geographically dispersed regions, addressing core needs such as healthcare, education, or financial services.

By addressing both humanitarian and market needs, the intersection of compassion and commerce can drive global, positive-sum growth.

Leaders who focus on finding possibility forge a strategic edge.

The displacement crisis highlights systemic global issues. And, it is an invitation for leaders and organizations to make an impact with novel solutions.

There’s more to the world than what we see.

The innovative leaders and organizations mentioned above show us:

When we change our focus, we can change our world. This is global ambition at its best.

Look around the world. Do you see problem or possibility?

If it’s not the latter - perhaps it’s time to be more ambitious.

Further Reading:

1. https://www.care-international.org/stories/refugees-turkiye-day-i-still-see-door-my-house-my-dreams

2. https://www.unhcr.org/refugee-statistics/

3. https://www.unhcr.org/au/about-unhcr/who-we-are/1951-refugee-convention

4. https://www.talentbeyondboundaries.org/

5. https://www.re-coded.com/

6. https://www.givedirectly.org/

7. https://refugeeinvestments.org/

8. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/forced-displacement