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About Confluence Tech conferences are often accused of chasing the next big thing: flashy tools, buzzwords, and speculative breakthroughs. Confluence 2025 took a different path. Switchboard gathered more than 100 refugee service providers, technologists, government partners, and researchers this past June at Civic Hall in New York City for two days of hands-on conversations about…
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The Going to Mira Loma High School Virtual Reality 360 experience immerses learners in, and orients them to, a typical U.S. high school experience. Presented in English, Pashto, and Dari! Benefits of using VR with newcomers and instructions included!
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The Using Ride-Share Services 360 VR experience immerses learners in how to use ride-share services to access vital community resources, such as a clinic visit. Benefits of using VR with newcomers and instructions included!
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The Exploring Secondary Education Pathways 360 VR experience immerses users in a walkthrough of a University and a technical program for the construction industry. Benefits of using VR with newcomers and instructions included!
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This evaluation framework outlines important considerations when using AI for resettlement services, allowing you to assess your organization’s readiness to integrate AI into service delivery. Ideally, your organization should develop a comprehensive approach to using AI that includes alignment with humanitarian and data protection principles.
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This blog showcases how 360° virtual reality (VR) videos are transforming refugee resettlement services in Seattle, Dallas, and Sacramento. With support from Switchboard’s Emerging Technologies Team providers have created immersive experiences that help newcomers navigate education systems, transportation, and community resources before encountering them in real life—building confidence while improving service delivery outcomes. Why Immersive…
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Newcomers who develop digital skills find employment faster and achieve economic self-sufficiency sooner. By investing in digital literacy training, resettlement agencies can help newcomers build confidence and create meaningful connections as they transition from initial support to full workforce participation. Many local resettlement agencies have requested guidance on offering a robust digital literacy (DL) curriculum to…
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Switchboard is pleased to announce the publication of the pre-recorded private panel discussion “A Holistic Approach to Digital Literacy,” which took place during the confluence “Bridging the Gap between Technology and Resettlement” on September 11, 2024, at the University of Utah. This half-hour session is beneficial for refugee service providers working at state agencies, resettlement…
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming humanitarian aid and resettlement services. In this blog post, two experts in the field—Kimberly Mays, a Senior Program Officer for Digital Communications at Switchboard, and Kristy Crabtree, who works in digital innovation within the International Rescue Committee (IRC)’s Violence Prevention and Response Unit—shed light on AI’s potential in resettlement…
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The Switchboard Confluence event this fall brought together technology innovators and refugee resettlement professionals to reimagine newcomer support through emerging technologies. This blog post recaps some of the Confluence’s highlights—exploring how ethical tech integration, from artificial intelligence (AI) storytelling initiatives to virtual case management solutions, is transforming refugee services. This blog also includes video links…
