Episode #317: Centering the Voices of Refugees and Founding “Our World Too” with Hira Aftab

*to read the original article, please visit the The Maverick Show‘s website*

EPISODE SUMMARY

Learn about the importance of prioritising refugees’ voices, stories, and experiences in the places we travel. Hira Aftab talks about growing up in a Pakistani immigrant home between the UK and Saudi Arabia.  She reflects on the life-changing impact of her first trip to Palestine, and how that inspired her to become a human rights activist.  Hira then reflects on doing two Master’s degrees and working in the international humanitarian sector.  She talks about her trip to Jordan, the impact of meeting with Palestinian refugees there, and how that inspired her to start “Our World Too” as a platform to centre the voices and stories of refugees.  She also talks about hosting the “More than a Statistic Podcast” and shares some of her most powerful interviews.  Finally, she reflects on the lessons from her international humanitarian work and unpacks some of the neo-colonial dynamics in the space.

About the guest

Hira Aftab

Hira Aftab is the Founder of Our World Too, a global storytelling platform dedicated to re-humanizing the narrative surrounding refugees and displaced communities around the world. She is also a communications expert in the humanitarian and international development sector and has experience working in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UK on projects relating to refugee support and access to justice.  Hira holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and a second Master’s Degree in Humanitarianism, Conflict and Development.  She is also the host of the More Than a Statistic Podcast, and she is the co-founder of The Hybrid Tours – a travel company dedicated to combining recreation and human rights for those interested in leaving a positive mark as a tourist.

What you’ll learn

  • Stories and reflections on a life-changing trip to Palestine
  • The importance of paying attention to refugee experiences as we travel
  • The neo-colonial dynamics to be aware of in the humanitarian sector

Links from the episode

CHECK OUT THE UPCOMING TRIPS WITH THE HYBRID TOURS
(Get a $100 Special Discount by Using the Code “MAVERICK”)

LISTEN TO HIRA’S “MORE THAN A STATISTIC” PODCAST

MUSICAL ARTISTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

OTHER PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

PLACES IN PALESTINE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

PLACES IN PAKISTAN MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

PLACES IN PAKISTAN MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

LOCATIONS WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE

OTHER PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

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