IRISE is a civil society initiative fostering connections and collaboration across borders among supporters of refugee settlement and integration

Launched in 2025, the purpose of IRISE is to create opportunities for people engaged at local or national levels to exchange ideas, inspiration and information across international borders with a shared vision of creating communities where refugees resettling or arriving through complementary pathways are welcomed, valued, included, supported and thrive.

National Leads

IRISE is an initiative of the Refugee Council of Australia(RCOA), Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR), Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) and the New Zealand Red Cross.

Steering Group

IRISE activities and events are organised and guided by a steering group of representatives from:

  • Canadian Council for Refugees

  • Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia

  • Ethiopian Community Development Council (USA)

  • HMS Trust (NZ)

  • Host International Aotearoa NZ

  • Immigrant Services Society of BC (Canada)

  • KEYS Employment and Newcomer Services (Canada)

  • Mennonite Central Committee (Canada)

  • New Zealand Red Cross

  • Niskanen Centre (USA)

  • Pōwhiri Refugee Family Support Settlement Service (NZ)

  • Refugee Congress (USA)

  • Refugee Council of Australia

  • Refugee Council USA

  • Refugees as Survivors NZ

  • Settlement Council of Australia