“RLI Talks” is a refugee-led talk series designed to promote innovation within the UNHCR organization. Using an innovation framework, the talks go through the problem-solving process from problem definition to implementation of a solution. Hearing about successful innovation projects by refugees, for refugees, will allow all people within UNHCR to understand the impact of innovation and learn how to incorporate an innovation framework into their everyday practice. Thus, creating a culture of innovation one talk at a time.
CLIENT: UNHCR Innovation Service
CLASS: Senior Capstone II
PARTNER: Eshita Sharma & Margaret Chen
YEAR: 2022
UNHCR - RLI TALKS
GOAL
Weave innovative thinking throughout the entire UNHCR organization and help all sectors at UNHCR understand the value of innovation.
CHALLENGE
Over the past four months, we have worked on designing a method to help the UNHCR Innovation Service promote Innovation and their work with colleagues within the organization. Our challenges included refining our primary research by asking questions with the team. These questions then turned into ideas where the biggest challenge was to find a clear direction and narrow our overall topic. From starting the basic ideation to creating a lineup for our talks, we had to perform research not only externally but also internally within the organization. Therefore, our biggest challenge was choosing the right strategy that would be the most beneficial for our client.
OUTCOME
Our strategy was to create a talk-series platform that allows refugees to discuss their innovative projects with everyone from within the UNHCR organization. Hearing about innovation by refugees, for refugees allows people to understand the value and impact of innovation. Also, refugees address gaps in aid agencies; therefore, hearing their voices is key. The talk series would take place internally, but the talks would be made available online for people outside the organization to listen to. Understanding the impact innovation has made on refugees’ lives allows everyone from within the organization to value innovation and perform innovative problem-solving when dealing with issues that refugees face.
