Konexio Africa Honoured With 9th SIARA Award For Innovative Refugee Advocacy Efforts
Konexio Africa has been honoured with the Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support (SIARA) by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. This recognition, which includes a prize of AED 500,000, will help the organisation expand its efforts to uplift vulnerable communities in East Africa through education and employment initiatives.
The award ceremony took place at the Sharjah Book Authority headquarters. It began with the UAE national anthem and a short film highlighting SIARA's legacy in empowering refugees globally. The event underscored the award's humanitarian significance and its impact on beneficiaries.
Alya Al Musaiebi, Director of The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), delivered the opening keynote. She emphasised that listening and responding to refugee stories is crucial as they test our values and ethics. She highlighted Sharjah's commitment to humanitarian work under H.H. Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi’s leadership, transitioning from aid to empowerment.
Fabien de Castilla, Director of Konexio Africa, spoke about the organisation's journey since its founding in 2019. He stated that supporting vulnerable communities is a duty, not a choice. He stressed building connections between social sectors and marginalised communities to create opportunities for refugees.
Konexio Africa plans to expand digital training programmes in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, and beyond by 2026. They aim to launch a new curriculum focused on future skills and create a social enterprise arm for employing graduates in areas like AI and data management.
Seth Mathias Sunya, Development Manager at Konexio Africa, highlighted partnerships with local and international organisations as key to their success. He noted that leveraging technology helps connect people and empower them despite funding challenges.
Empowering Refugees Through Technology
The organisation has trained over 8,000 individuals in Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda, significantly increasing their income levels. Women constitute 66% of programme beneficiaries due to support services like childcare at digital centres equipped with high-speed internet.
The award ceremony also introduced the SIARA 2025 jury panel. They received 790 nominations from global charities assessed based on humanitarian impact, sustainability, transparency, and contribution to refugees' lives.
Future Prospects for SIARA
The evening concluded with TBHF announcing nominations for the tenth edition of SIARA in 2026. The award aims to support practical humanitarian solutions worldwide that have proven effective on the ground.
The event was attended by several dignitaries including Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed bin Khalid Al Qasimi and Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi among others. Their presence underscored Sharjah's commitment to global humanitarian efforts.
With inputs from WAM
Sign in with Google