Centering Refugee Voices: The Fragility and Power of Protection

"Do not speak on my behalf. Let me be there and tell you how protection looks like..." -

Ana Maria Diez

What would protection in humanitarian work truly look like if leaders prioritized the voices and lived experiences of displaced people?

In today's conversation, Ana María Diez—lawyer, refugee, and president of Coalición por Venezuela—joins host Panos Moumtzis to discuss the meaning and challenges of protection for displaced people.

Drawing from her own harrowing experiences in Venezuela and her journey into advocacy, Ana María Diez reflects on what true protection, courage, and participation mean for refugees and humanitarian work today.

The dialogue delves into humanitarian failures, the fragility of protection, the need for innovation, and why genuine participation and inclusion of refugees in decision-making are non-negotiable.

Key Takeaways

Protection is Foundational

All discussions around solutions for displaced people must begin with protection—it is the cornerstone of dignity and rights.

Lived Experience Shapes Leadership

Firsthand experience of displacement brings an irreplaceable perspective to advocacy and solution-building. Courage is present in every person with lived experience. Drawing on these personal reserves can lead to greater strength and more effective advocacy.

Fragility of Systems