Virtual Exchanges
Where we meet to share ideas, discuss challenges and create connections
Virtual Exchange 1
April 2025
Where to find hope in refugee resettlement in challenging times? Global exchange and launch of IRISE
The inaugural IRISE Virtual Exchange explored the current contexts into which refugees are arriving and settling in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. Speakers and discussion focused on:
What are key challenges and opportunities for those of us supporting refugee resettlement and complementary pathways in 2025?
Where do we find hope, and how can we draw strength and inspiration from what is happening in other countries?
Resources:
Explore this interactive tool that explains the different approaches to settlement in Australia, Canada, NZ and the US (in 2025), developed by students at George Washington University.
Virtual Exchange 2
August 2025
Beyond burnout: Promoting mental health and wellbeing among refugee support workers
This IRISE Virtual Exchange explored the ways we think about and support the mental health and wellbeing of people who are working with and supporting refugees to settle.
What are the key challenges of being a refugee support worker or helper when it comes to our own mental health and wellbeing?
How do we look after ourselves and each other in the context of supporting people who have experienced and are still impacted by harmful, unfair or unjust systems?
What practices, policies and support structures work well so that refugees resettling in our countries are welcomed by a workforce and communities that are healthy, effective and resilient?
Resources:
Mental health supports for refugee support workers resource list.
Grounding Moment script, developed and read by Aisha Koroma (AK Center for Wellbeing)
Virtual Exchange 3
November 2025
Beyond the sidelines: The power of sports in refugee integration
This IRISE Virtual Exchange explored the ways in which sport has been used as a pathway and facilitator of refugee settlement and integration.
What do we know about sport as a tool and pathway to newcomer integration and settlement?
What is the potential and where are the challenges?
How can we best facilitate positive settlement outcomes – a sense of belonging and social connections, health and wellbeing, and perhaps offer a doorway into more difficult conversations - through refugee engagement with sport?
What are intersectional models, policies and support structures that work well to support refugee integration and settlement through sport?
Resources:
Read a summary of the exchange, with links to good resources and programs compiled by participants
Sport for Refugees Coalition - great resources
Virtual Exchange 4
March 2026
Building bridges, fostering unity: How we create cohesive and welcoming communities
This IRISE Virtual Exchange explored how our efforts supporting refugee settlement and integration can foster greater social cohesion at a time when concerns about immigration and social cohesion are driving public narratives and refugee policy.
What are effective practices and strategies that help to build bridges between newcomers and local communities?
What are the challenges we face in meaningfully engaging local community stakeholders and how do we overcome these challenges?
How do we make sure that our work supporting refugee newcomers continues to foster socially cohesive communities?
Resources:
Padlet - What are effective practices and strategies that help build bridges between refugee newcomers and local communities?
Virtual Exchange 5
July 2026
Shared ground: Settlement practice with indigenous communities
This IRISE Virtual Exchange explored how Indigenous knowledge, practices and communities intersect with refugee resettlement, and the role that settlement providers and supporters can, do or should play in connecting newcomers with Indigenous peoples, histories and lands.
At a time when the world is becoming increasingly fractured, the parallels between the experiences of refugees and Indigenous peoples are clearer than ever. This event was an opportunity to explore these intersections and discuss meaningful and practical steps to connect those who have always been here in order to help those who have just arrived.
Resources:
Padlet - What works in connecting refugee settlement with Indigenous histories, peoples and lands?
Native Land - a website to help us see and understand Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages.
Virtual Exchange 6
Coming up - November 2026
For young people, by young people: Co-design and refugee youth settlement
To be notified of when registrations open for this exchange, follow IRISE on Humanitix