"Initiatives like Microsoft's Tech4Good need to reach all levels of our communities and localities. Government is very aware of the challenges that the local refugee community is experiencing but we should also look at the opportunities that exist by working together with all stakeholders to help refugees integrate more in our society."
This was stated by Silvan Agius, Director Human Rights and Integration Directorate from the Ministry for European Affairs and Equality whilst congratulating Microsoft and UNHCR for their joint-initiative and encouraged other companies to follow suit by hosting events with refugee NGOs to promote more integration and awareness.
Microsoft Malta's joint event with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees dialogued with refugee led NGOs and communities in Malta how technology, particularly Microsoft's programs can assist refugee non-profit organizations achieve more especially when it comes to social inclusion.
The event was hosted at the Microsoft Innovation Centre as part of Microsoft Malta's series of Tech4Good hosted every year to address Maltese NGOs to assist and expose them to technology that can help them achieve efficiencies and better results in their day to day work.
"This year, we are proud to have collaborated with the UNHCR to deliver an event that helped NGOs learn more about Office 365 and how this productivity solution can help them focus on their core activities. Those attending this event also learnt more about GDPR and how to prepare for it from a Security and Privacy perspective and how to share best practice with other refugee non-profits by networking together," said Angela Micallef, Philanthropies Manager at Microsoft Malta.
Microsoft has been assisting and collaborating with NGOs in Malta for a number of years by helping them harness the power of innovation to meet the needs of the various communities. To date, Microsoft has donated over €2 million worth of software to over 40 NGOs in Malta.
"In Malta, Microsoft has had ample opportunity to realize how NGOs are such a vital part of the local community and we are truly appreciative of the great work they do across so many different spheres. This is why every year, Microsoft makes it a point to reach out to these NGOs through our annual 'Technology4Good' events during which organisations meet together and find out more how our technology can help them operate more efficiently," added Angela Micallef.
"We applaud Microsoft's initiative to engage and support refugee led organizations by providing them with the skills and knowledge to grow further and to better serve their communities. We are proud of this collaboration and hope that others will follow suit in promoting social inclusion in Malta," Kahin Ismail, UNHCR Representative to Malta said.
"Securing a durable solution by way of empowering refugees to join the fabric of their adopted society and make contributions is a principal goal of international protection and part of UNHCR's mandate," Mr Ismail added.