ARTISAN SPEAKERS
Amplifying refugee
voices
The MADE51 Artisan Speakers Group provides a platform for refugee artisans to share their stories, expertise and perspectives with global audiences. These artists advocate for economic inclusion, cultural preservation and the power of craftsmanship in displacement settings.
By engaging with businesses, policymakers and media, our Artisan Speakers bring attention to the challenges faced by displaced communities and the solutions that MADE51 provides.
© UNHCR/Houssam Hariri
© UNHCR/ M Bougma
Compelling, authentic stories
MADE51 Artisan Speakers are talented craftspeople from diverse backgrounds, each with a unique story to tell. They speak about:
- The impact of displacement on traditional craftsmanship
- How sustainable livelihoods empower refugee communities
- The role of ethical sourcing and fair trade in creating opportunities
- Their personal experiences of resilience and creativity
Meet the speakers
Maral
Armenia
Maral is a skilled artisan and leader who specialises in intricate Armenian embroidery, a craft she learned from her grandmothers. She is the head of her artisan group and a passionate advocate for preserving cultural craftsmanship. Through her work, she helps refugee women sustain livelihoods and maintain their heritage. Maral has represented MADE51 at international conferences, including the Global Refugee Forum and online workshops, where she has demonstrated her craft and shared her experiences as a refugee artisan from Syria.
Sunday
Kenya
Sunday arrived at Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya as a child and grew up with the responsibility of caring for her younger brother. Through her passion for beading, she has become a leader within her cooperative, using her craft to support her education and independence. She envisions creating her own business to empower other young refugee women. Sunday has participated in global discussions about youth leadership and women’s economic empowerment, highlighting the transformative power of craft-based livelihoods.
Buthaina
Syria
Originally a schoolteacher from Syria, Buthaina now leads a workshop in Türkiye, where she trains and supports refugee women in traditional Syrian embroidery. She believes in the power of craft to create independence and dignity, helping women in her community gain skills and financial stability. Through MADE51, Buthaina has shared her story on international platforms, advocating for the economic inclusion of refugee artisans and the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
Meet the speakers
Maral (Syria)
An artisan group leader and a passionate advocate for preserving cultural craftsmanship, specializing in embroidery and felting.
Nyanachiek (South Sudan)
A beadwork artisan who has trained fellow artisans and spoken at the Global Refugee Forum and UK House of Lords.
Kapya (DR Congo)
A woodcarver who established his own artisan group, training others in traditional techniques.
Alice (DR Congo)
A textile artist leading a multicultural group of young women.
Buthaina (Syria)
A school teacher and artisan group leader with expertise in crochet, dedicated to supporting her community through educational programs.
Sarah (DR Congo)
A former journalist turned tailor and beader, leading a cooperative for refugee women.
Zolaika (Afghanistan)
A specialist in Hazara embroidery, upcycling materials into sustainable designs.
Kwarkuch (Ethiopia)
A beadwork artisan preserving the techniques passed down by her grandmother and leading quality control for her group.
I'm proud and thankful for being part of MADE51 artisans to share my skills with the world during the second Global Refugee Forum. It's the only moment that I will live to remember, for it has ignited the artistry passion in me and gave me real hope, restoring my resilience and confidence.
– Nyanachiek, an internally displaced South Sudanese artisan at the Global Refugee Forum 2023 in Geneva
© UNHCR/Pedro Gomes
Book an Artisan Speaker
Are you hosting an event, panel or workshop and want to bring a firsthand perspective on refugee entrepreneurship and craftsmanship? MADE51’s Artisan Speakers are available for:
- Industry conferences and trade events
- Corporate engagements and awareness campaigns
- University lectures and cultural exchanges
- Interactive workshops and craft demonstrations
By inviting an Artisan Speaker, you help amplify the voices of refugee artisans and foster meaningful conversations about the intersection of craftsmanship, displacement, and economic opportunity.