Cairo, 23 May 2019 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation (RFBF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to kickstart their collaboration.

RFBF is an organization that raises awareness in the global business community about the benefits of religious freedom and labor rights, especially nondiscrimination on the basis of religion or belief. RFBF also engages the business community in joining forces with government and non-governmental organizations in promoting respect for freedom of religion or belief. This mission works in unison with the goals of the IOM in ensuring that no one is left behind and in engaging the private sector to work more collaboratively with migrants.

As part of this partnership, IOM Egypt and RFBF will launch an award for business leaders who maximize migration’s positive impact for Egyptian society and migrants – called the Business & Migration Peace Prize (B&MP Prize). Specifically, considered candidates will be current or past Chief Executive Officers who have demonstrated leadership in championing migration’s positive impact for migrants and Egyptian society, thereby promoting interfaith understanding and peace. Four award categories have been determined, and one outstanding individual will be awarded the overall prize – the B&MP Prize.

This first award ceremony is set to be held on 18 December 2019 on the day of International Migrants day.

“We see this award as motivating actions within the private sector in Egypt and the region to take on more corporate social responsibility and benefit from the diversity offered by migrants” said IOM Egypt’s Chief of Mission, Mr. Laurent De Boeck.

“This is an excellent way to recognize the tremendous business innovation that migrants bring to a country,” said Dr. Brian Grim, RFBF President. “So many of the world’s greatest discoveries and innovations have come from migrants who have the unique desire to innovate and succeed.”

The partnership and prize support the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities, Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals. It is also in line with the objectives of Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS): Vision 2030, particularly its Social Justice Pillar.

For more information, please contact Omar Awwad at IOM Egypt, Tel: +20 1032 049 144; Email: oawwad@iom.int