The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with Pearl Initiative and the Shefa Fund, hosted emerging business and philanthropic leaders from the Gulf region for a four-day learning visit to Athens, offering a first-hand look at Greece's migration context and how humanitarian assistance works in practice.
"Responsible philanthropy starts with listening to communities and understanding their rights and priorities," said Mohammed Abdiker, IOM's Chief of Staff. "When leaders see operations first-hand and engage directly with the people affected, support becomes more accountable, more targeted and more effective in protecting dignity and delivering lasting results."
The visit brought together ten business and philanthropic leaders for an immersive programme focused on practical learning, accountability, and responsible giving. Through structured site visits and interactive workshops, participants examined how clear governance and oversight can help philanthropy respond more effectively to real needs in humanitarian settings.
"At the Shefa Fund, we believe philanthropy is not only about providing resources, but about cultivating compassion, responsibility, and a lifelong commitment to service," said Dana & Haya Juffali, Board Members of the Shefa Fund in a joint statement. "The Next Gen Learning Trip reflects our focus on partnership, learning, and community-led impact by engaging young leaders directly with the organizations and communities they support. We are especially excited to be here in Greece, learning from and alongside inspiring local partners."
As part of the programme, participants visited a range of IOM-supported humanitarian facilities and operational sites, including reception centres and service points providing direct assistance, giving them exposure to the day-to-day realities faced by migrants and host communities.
Since 2020, IOM has assisted more than 300,000 people across Greece through reception services, health care, protection support, voluntary return and integration programmes, highlighting both the level of need and the importance of sustained, coordinated assistance.
"This visit underscored the importance of grounding philanthropy in operational realities," said Ralph Choueiri, Executive Director of the Pearl Initiative. "By combining field exposure with structured learning, participants gained valuable insight into how governance, accountability and partnership approaches can strengthen humanitarian outcomes," he added.
The initiative is part of IOM's wider efforts to help private and philanthropic partners make informed, transparent, and people-centred contributions to humanitarian action. By connecting decision-makers directly with operations on the ground, the programme aims to strengthen trust, accountability, and long-term impact.
About The Shefa Fund
The Shefa Fund , founded by Khaled and Olfat Juffali, is a donor collaborative dedicated to improving health and development outcomes, particularly across the Middle East. By addressing health inequalities and supporting marginalized communities, the Fund partners with governments, international organizations, and local actors to strengthen healthcare systems and build long-term capacity. In collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Shefa Fund identifies and supports high-impact programmes in need of urgent funding. Its collective approach unites philanthropists and institutions to deliver a coordinated and effective response to pressing health and humanitarian challenges.
About Pearl Initiative
Pearl Initiative is an independent, non-profit organization that empowers and engages the private sector in the Arab world to raise standards of governance, transparency, integrity, and responsible business practices. It promotes collective action, knowledge sharing, and leadership among its network of partner companies, aiming to influence regional businesses and student communities alike. Through this approach, the organization supports stakeholders in adopting higher standards of corporate governance, diversity, ethics, and reporting by sharing insights, building knowledge, creating networks, and inspiring action.
