The Conduit and IMIX bring together a panel of refugee speakers to challenge the dominant narratives on migration.
Worldwide, some 123 million people have been forcibly displaced, driven from their homes by conflict, climate change or persecution.
In the news, these vulnerable people are too often portrayed as a burden to be managed, and a threat to society. But another, untold story exists: one of refugees and migrants who make invaluable contributions to the places where they seek sanctuary and opportunity.
The Conduit, in collaboration with IMIX, will bring together a panel of extraordinary refugee speakers to tell their stories in their own words and challenge the de-humanising narratives around migration. Join us to hear from Douna Haj Ahmed, a journalist and human rights advocate, Amanda Kamanda, a transwoman activist, model, refugee advocate, and co-founder of the Minority Inclusion Foundation and Ali Gadheri, an activist, facilitator and the founder and director of Babylon Migrants Project.
Through stories of resilience and community building, our panel will explore how we can bridge divides to create networks of care and support for everyone who calls the UK home.
Event Schedule
6:00pm: Pre-event socialising and networking
A cash bar will be available for refreshments.
6:15pm: Event begins
7:30pm: Event ends
Book here
Douna Haj Ahmed is a journalist, human rights advocate and a Refugee Week Ambassador for 2025. Originally from Syria, Douna has spent her life speaking out against injustice – from questioning male dominance at school aged seven, to reporting on human rights violations during the Syrian revolution. Forced to flee Syria after her activism placed her at risk, Douna arrived in the UK on a scholarship in 2016. Now based in Wembley and working in advocacy for people with MS, Douna continues to campaign for refugee rights and calls out double standards in how different groups are treated. Douna is passionate about women’s rights, free speech, and supporting refugees from all backgrounds. Her voice is rooted in lived experience — and she believes change starts with being heard.
Amanda Kamanda is a transwoman activist, model, refugee advocate, and co-founder of Minority Inclusion Foundation (MIF UK). Originally from Uganda, Amanda was forced to flee due to severe persecution for being both transgender and a human rights defender. Arriving in the UK, she became a vocal leader in the fight for LGBTQ+ and refugee rights, using her lived experience to challenge hostile discriminatory laws and policies. Amanda is Miss Transglobal Uganda and made history as the first transgender woman to represent Uganda in an international beauty pageant. She has an MSc in international development, social justice and sustainability, and works to elevate the voices of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and refugees through “Two Refugees Walking”, a campaign raising funds for refugee-led organisations. Amanda’s work is rooted in resilience, empowerment, and the belief that every displaced person deserves dignity, safety, and a future where they can live authentically and freely.
Ali Ghaderi is a London-based activist, facilitator and the founder and director of Babylon Migrants Project, a CIC that runs creative workshops led by and for young people from refugee, asylum-seeking, and migrant backgrounds. Originally from Iran, Ali brings over a decade of experience as a facilitator, delivering workshops around the world – from youth centres to international stages and policy spaces. He is a trustee for Counterpoints Arts, and has also worked with organisations such as Our Second Home, the British Red Cross, and Safe Passage. In his advocacy, he challenges racism and stereotypes and pushes for safe, legal routes to sanctuary. Ali is passionate about building partnerships, empowering young people, and creating spaces where creativity and community thrive.
Born in Nigeria, Inua Ellams is a poet, playwright & performer, graphic artist & designer and founder of: The Midnight Run (an arts-filled, night-time, urban walking experience.), The Rhythm and Poetry Party (The R.A.P Party) which celebrates live literature and music, and Poetry + Film / Hack (P+F/H) which celebrates poetry and film. Identity, Displacement & Destiny are reoccurring themes in his work, where he tries to mix the old with the new: traditional African oral storytelling with contemporary poetics, paint with pixel, texture with vector. His books are published by Flipped Eye, Akashic, Nine Arches, Penned In The Margins & Bloomsbury.