The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) awarded 20 public and private organizations in Costa Rica the seal “Living Integration”, in recognition for their support to refugees or those who are applying for their condition as refugees in Costa Rica.

The seal Living Integration certifies the commitment, through concrete actions that the organizations have implemented in the last year with this population; it seeks to motivate all the sectors to take comprehensive actions that offer new opportunities of development and integration for refugees and that contribute to the creation of a society respectful of human rights, that also recognizes and values their contributions to the economy and cultural diversity of the country.

“By awarding the seal ‘Living Integration’, Costa Rica becomes the first country in the world where refugees will be able to identify the organizations that have a commitment with their cause. It is the first global mechanism that allows to track the veracity and quality of actions voluntarily reported by each nominated entity”, explained Carlos Maldonado, representative of UNHCR.

The seal integrates the standards of the international norm ISO 26000, developed to help organizations effectively assess and address those social responsibilities that are relevant and significant to their mission and vision; the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the national policy of social responsibility.

This certification will be given out annually on June 20 in commemoration of the national and international refugee day.

Some of the companies that received the certification are: Sykes Latin America, University for Peace, Pizza Hut, Ret International, Ministry of Labor, Municipality of Escazu, Ministry of Presidency and the Diverse Chamber of Commerce.

Companies interested in participating in the program Living Integration, can do so by including refugees with standing working permit in their hiring process, offer refugees opportunities for training and studying, promote actions that favor an environment of respect of human rights for refugees, among others.