The 9th Refugees Forum took place at Igreja Relevans, in São Paulo, under the theme “Persevere to Move Forward”, promoting reflection and mobilization in response to the challenges faced by forcibly displaced people. This edition highlighted two global urgencies — the climate crisis and religious persecution — and called churches, organizations, and leaders to a commitment to care, justice, and welcome.

The event brought together 105 participants from 9 Brazilian states and 29 cities, with the presence of people from diverse nationalities. Through thematic tracks, dialogues, and moments of fellowship, collective engagement was strengthened. The Forum also continued the Young Leaders Program, with 24 young participants, 6 of whom received full scholarships, reinforcing the investment in the formation of new leaders.

The content presented integrated theological, social, and practical perspectives, accompanied by the distribution of formative materials such as the book “Stories of Migrants in the Bible” and specialized publications from partners, including Ultimato Magazine.

The 8th Refugee Forum was an inspiring milestone in supporting and welcoming migrants and refugees, bringing together 143 participants from different regions of Brazil and 13 countries, including Angola, Colombia, and Sweden. For three days, São Paulo became a convergence point for transformative discussions about global migration challenges. Leaders, human rights specialists, and representatives from organizations such as UNHCR, the Federal Police, and the U.S. Consulate addressed crucial topics ranging from public policy to mental health, highlighting the importance of international cooperation and the central role of civil society.

A highlight of the event was the Young Leaders initiative, which offered Christian youth training on migration and refugee issues, preparing them to take on leadership roles. Participants had the opportunity to engage with theologians, missionaries, and human trafficking experts, exploring the complexities of reception and integration.

More than theoretical discussions, the forum fostered a practical exchange of experiences, where best practices for welcoming refugees were shared by Brazilian Christian organizations. In addition, moments of devotion and artistic performances strengthened the connection between faith and social responsibility, creating a space of spiritual and emotional welcome for all.

The 7th Refugee Forum gathered 178 in-person participants from various regions of Brazil and eight countries, as well as 640 online participants, highlighting its broad reach and significance.

With the participation of leaders, human rights experts, government representatives, and international organizations such as UNHCR, IOM, and Exodus Road, the event fostered deep and diverse discussions. The topics covered included the global migration crisis, migrants’ mental health, human trafficking, public policies, and professional inclusion, providing a broad and practical view of the challenges and solutions for refugee reception.

The “Young Leaders” initiative trained 20 young participants, offering 11 full scholarships, demonstrating a strong commitment to developing new leadership. The inclusion of art and moments of devotion provided an enriching experience, reinforcing the importance of faith and social responsibility. The diversity of speakers and the high quality of content were highly praised, highlighting the excellence of the organization and the relevance of addressing mental health and self-care for those involved in the cause.

The 6th Refugee Forum and the Training for the Reception of Afghan Refugees were important milestones in mobilizing and equipping the Brazilian Evangelical Church to respond to the migration crisis. During these events, the importance of network-based action was emphasized, fostering partnerships among 39 churches, 45 social organizations, 6 humanitarian and governmental agencies, as well as universities. In total, the event gathered around 115 participants both in person and online, including representatives from various Brazilian states and abroad.

The launch of the program “Bible for Refugees and Migrants” and the distribution of Bibles in Spanish and Ukrainian were significant actions aimed at addressing the specific needs of refugees. The training for welcoming Afghan refugees provided cultural insights and practical tools essential for improving their integration in Brazil.

The impact of the 6th Refugee Forum was substantial, leading to new partnerships and collaborations, as well as the creation of a Mapping Project of churches and organizations working on migration issues, highlighting the ongoing need for hospitality and compassion in line with the teachings of Jesus.

The 5th Refugee Forum, still under pandemic conditions, was organized in a hybrid format (in-person and online) and held at the First Baptist Church of Santo André.

The event brought together 60 churches and ministries, 24 social organizations and missionary agencies, 5 universities, and 1 government entity. Among the many topics discussed, key highlights included the importance of building networks, the social and cultural aspects of welcoming in churches, the perspective of Indigenous integration, and the autonomy and professionalization of migrants and refugees.

These moments provided deep reflections for the continued efforts of churches and Christian organizations in welcoming migrants and refugees.