There was a special buzz in the air at The Welcoming Association in Edinburgh last week, as the organisation hosted a truly historic visit from Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Grandi’s visit – organised by the Scottish Refugee Council (SRC) – was part of a wider tour to witness Scotland’s approach to refugee integration in action. It marked an important moment for The Welcoming Association, the only charity in Edinburgh working exclusively with refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants.
The event brought together an impressive mix of representatives from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the Scottish Government, and the Scottish Refugee Council, alongside The Welcoming’s staff and board, and – most importantly – New Scots themselves.
The High Commissioner toured The Welcoming’s community space, where he heard directly from service users, including Mariyam, a New Scot from Iran, and Olex Shtepan, who arrived in Edinburgh from Ukraine. He learned how the organisation offers support through English language classes, employability training and guidance, and friendship groups, creating a welcoming space where New Scots can begin to rebuild their lives.
“The Welcoming is the New Scots in action,” said High Commissioner Grandi. “It was great to see the breadth of integration activities that support refugees and asylum seekers in Edinburgh today as well as the friendship so clearly on display.”
Also present was Sabir Zazai, CEO of the Scottish Refugee Council. In an unexpected full-circle moment, it was revealed that Sabir first met Filippo Grandi in 1994, when Grandi was working with UNHCR in Pakistan. At the time, Sabir was a young Afghan refugee. Thirty years later, they found themselves reunited in Scotland – Sabir now a national leader in refugee rights, and Grandi leading the UN’s global refugee response. The emotional reconnection underscored the long-term impact of refugee support and the importance of sustained, human-centred policy.
“A community where New Scots feel valued”
The visit was not just symbolic – it was practical. The Welcoming Association’s team led a presentation and roundtable discussion exploring both the successes and challenges of refugee integration in Edinburgh, from increased service demand to barriers in accessing employment and housing.
“We are honoured to welcome High Commissioner Filippo Grandi and our partners to The Welcoming Association today,” said Tesfu Gessesse, CEO of The Welcoming Association.
“Scotland has demonstrated a strong commitment to refugee integration, and our work reflects that vision, creating a community where New Scots feel valued, supported, and empowered. This visit highlights our successes and urgent challenges, particularly in meeting the growing service demand. Collaboration at all levels is crucial to ensuring that every New Scot has the opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.”
The delegation included key figures from the UNHCR, the Scottish Government – including Scotland’s Minister for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart MSP and students from Edinburgh STAR (Student Action for Refugees), reflecting a whole-society approach to integration.
As the group moved on to the Scottish Parliament for further meetings, it was clear that this meeting was a true recognition of Scotland’s model of refugee welcome and the vital role played by grassroots organisations like The Welcoming Association.
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The Welcoming is a local, grassroots charity at the heart of refugee integration in Edinburgh. We rely on the generosity of our community to continue providing English classes, employment support/training, and friendship to New Scots rebuilding their lives.
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