PhD candidate elected Missouri delegate to national refugee advocacy group

Mustafa Rfat, a PhD candidate in social work at the Brown School, has been elected to represent Missouri as a delegate to the Refugee Congress, a national nonprofit organization that advocates for refugees and other forcibly displaced people.  

He’ll serve a three-year term through 2028, joining a nationwide network of delegates representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 

“As someone with lived experience of forced displacement, this role gives me a powerful platform to advocate for refugee and asylee communities, especially for those with disabilities, locally in Missouri, across the United States, and on the national stage,” Rfat said. “At a time when refugee voices are more essential than ever, I’m committed to advancing justice, inclusion, and meaningful policy change.” 

Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan organization founded and led by former refugees, asylum-seekers, and other migrants. Its mission is to promote the dignity, integration, and well-being of displaced individuals by elevating their voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical domestic and international issues. 

Delegates are individuals living in the U.S. with personal experience of forced displacement, whether as resettled refugees, asylum seekers, asylees, or Special Immigrant Visa holders. They serve as advocates and community leaders, engaging with elected officials, participating in national campaigns and trainings, building local support networks, and raising public understanding of refugee issues through outreach and education.