In April 2025, Ashoka’s Hello World initiative gathered a constellation of Ashoka Fellows together. The goal? Not just to connect—but to co-create. To hold space for hope. To remember that even in times of urgency, isolation, and uncertainty, we are not alone.

Why Now?

Migration is no longer a peripheral issue—it’s shaping the future of our societies.
—Gonzalo Fanjul, porCausa Foundation

The gathering opened with a shared recognition: we’re operating in a highly polarized climate. Migration work is becoming increasingly “radioactive”—harder to fund, more difficult to sustain, and emotionally taxing.

Gonzalo called for spaces of resistance—emotional, institutional, and economic—where we can hold strength collectively and innovate forward. And that’s what this gathering became.

We’re in a long winter for migration work.
—Kenny Clewett, Co-leader, Hello World

Kenny offered the metaphor of emperor penguins—how they survive brutal winters by huddling together to endure the harshest conditions. He emphasized that this moment is not about waiting for direction, but about creating a community where warmth, resilience, and forward movement can continue—together. Read Kenny’s full reflection here. 

A Constellation of Changemakers

The gathering brought together a remarkable group of Ashoka Fellows  who are reshaping the migration landscape across the globe:

• Anne Kjær Bathel – ReDI School (Germany, Denmark, Sweden)

Providing refugees with access to tech education and digital skills, opening doors to meaningful employment and integration into the digital economy.

• Atika Yuanita Paraswaty – SUAKA, Indonesia

Advocating for refugee and asylum seeker rights through a civil society network of individuals and organizations committed to human rights, protection, and policy reform in Indonesia.

• Cristina Liamzon- Sedpi, Philippines

Building a global community of empowered Filipino migrant workers through a leadership and education program that encourages them to become drivers of change in the Philippines or in their host countries.

• Dani de Torres – Anti-Rumors Strategy (ARS), Spain

Mobilizing cities, organizations, and citizens to identify and dismantle the prejudices that drive discrimination—turning Anti-Rumors into a movement for intercultural dialogue and inclusive communities.

• David Lubell – Welcoming America / Welcoming International, USA/Global

Building inclusive communities and a global movement that positions welcoming not as charity, but as strength, innovation, and the foundation of thriving societies.

• Gideon Olanrewaju – Aid for Rural Education Access Initiative (AREAi), Nigeria

Designing inclusive education and reintegration programs for displaced youth across Nigeria—ensuring learning continuity and building future readiness.

• Gonzalo Fanjul – porCausa Foundation, Spain

Using investigative research, storytelling, and media engagement to reframe migration narratives and influence more humane and effective policy across Europe.

• Jane Leu – Upwardly Global, Smarter Good, USA/Global

A pioneer in migrant integration and labor mobility, redesigning systems that enable refugee and immigrant professionals to fully participate and lead in their host communities.

• Michael Stenger – SchlaU-Schule, Germany

Addressing the systemic discrimination of underage asylum seekers by providing access to education and integration, while shifting public perceptions of young refugees.

Together, their work reminded us: migration is not a problem to solve—it’s a source of solutions, innovation, and possibility.

Shared Struggles, Shared Strength

The Ashoka Fellows shared not only their visions—but their vulnerabilities. Across borders and contexts, similar challenges emerged:

• Shrinking civic spaces and rising anti-migrant rhetoric
• Lack of long-term funding for solutions that work
• Disconnection and isolation among migration leaders
• Barriers to transferring models across geographies due to policy silos

The Power of Connection

Despite heavy challenges, what emerged from the gathering was a deep sense of value in coming together to

• scale models globally through localization and knowledge exchange
• create coordinated movement-building, beyond individual efforts
• affirm the humanity and leadership of migrants—not as recipients, but as architects of change
• resist burnout through belonging

As David Lubell reminded us: “We’re millions around the world who support people on the move. But if we don’t act as a movement, we feel powerless. We must recognize our collective strength.” 

What’s Next?

This first gathering wasn’t just a check-in. It was a seed. A starting point. Hello World will continue hosting these circles every 2–3 months to keep the energy alive, the learning flowing, and the warmth of the penguin circle intact.

This is your space. Your moment. Let’s shape it together.
—Kenny Clewett

Let’s Stay Connected

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our ongoing initiatives, reach out to us.

 Help us celebrate impactful changemakers by nominating a changemaker for migration here. 

Uncover our visionary framework of four paradigms emerging in the field of migration.

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