Allianz and Settlement Services International mark five-years in partnership; almost 200 refugee scholarships awarded to date

23 April 2021
Allianz Australia and Settlement Services International (SSI) are proud to mark five years of partnership with almost 200 (177) scholarships cumulatively granted to support people of refugee backgrounds achieve independence in Australia. The milestone was celebrated at the annual Allianz SSI scholarships ceremony held virtually where 20 individuals from a refugee background were awarded scholarships; each who required financial assistance for their education or attained local recognition for their qualifications.

The award-winning partnership between Allianz and SSI has been delivering new education and career opportunities for refugees and migrants since 2016; with the scholarship program created to minimise the financial barriers experienced by refugees as they participate in the NSW education system.

To date, almost 200 (177) refugee education scholarships have been awarded via the partnership, with a combined value of over $400,000, and 32 refugees have been supported into permanent employment with Allianz in a variety of skilled roles across Finance, Human Resources, Claims, IT, Underwriting, Workers' Compensation and Marketing. Over $62,000 – including $50,000 from Allianz – has been allocated this year to the 20 awarded individuals, all towards their educational endeavours.

Allianz Australia, Managing Director, Richard Feledy said he was incredibly proud of the contributions the initiative has provided to a number of people of refugee backgrounds, and by extension, their families and community, “Our relationship with SSI is part of our commitment to continually contribute to an inclusive society. One in which all people – no matter their culture, background or ability – feel valued. Importantly, one in which individuals have the opportunity to access equal education or progress their careers, and to use their unique skills and reach their full personal or professional goals.”

Also commenting on the partnership’s milestone, SSI CEO, Violet Roumeliotis, said, “We are proud to mark five years with Allianz, recognising and encouraging the strengths, talent and resilience of many individuals. Allianz understands that supporting individuals who are refugees is not just about providing material aid and assisting people to survive. It's also about making sure there are opportunities to learn, work and thrive.”

“At SSI, it’s our mission to support people of refugee background to reach their full potential. The SSI Allianz scholarships program seeks to do this by reducing the financial barriers experienced by refugees as they participate in the education system. This year we were overwhelmed with over 200 applications, with the cohort of recipients ranging from teenagers who aspire to be doctors and teachers, through to a father who is reskilling by pursuing a tertiary education. I am always excited that, together with organisations like Allianz, we can help people like these overcome their hurdles and realise their dreams,” Ms Roumeliotis said.

The Allianz and SSI partnership has been recognised by the Australian Human Rights Commission, in 2017 it was awarded the Australian Human Rights Commission Business Award. For more information, read Allianz and SSI partnership.
The Allianz SSI scholarships directly support people from refugee backgrounds to achieve independence. Refugees who come to Australia face many challenges during settlement, such as financial hardship, dealing with experiences of torture and trauma, and family separation; yet Australia is a nation built on immigration.

Australia has a long history of providing safe asylum to refugees, many of whom have gone on to make great civil, social and economic contributions to Australian society.

Allianz and SSI aim to continue that tradition by providing targeted scholarships to those who are the most in need and willing to overcome social and economic challenges.
For more information, contact Matea Rojas by email or on 0435 084 880.

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Allianz Australia has been securing the future of our customers in Australia since 1914. We deliver a wide range of personal and commercial insurance products and services to more than 4 million policyholders. We also provide support for workers' compensation insurance to around 25% of the top 200 ASX companies, making us one of the leading workers' compensation insurers in Australia.

Allianz Australia Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the worldwide Allianz Group. The Allianz Group is one of the world's leading insurers and asset managers with corporate customers in more than 70 countries. Allianz customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, ranging from property, life, and health insurance to assistance services, credit insurance and global business insurance. Thanks to our systematic integration of ecological and social criteria in our business processes and investment decisions, we are among the leaders in the insurance industry in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
This article has been prepared by Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL234708 (“Allianz”). In some cases, information has been provided to us by third parties and while that information is believed to be accurate and reliable, its accuracy is not guaranteed in any way.

Any opinions expressed constitute our views at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither Allianz, nor its employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy or accept responsibility for any loss or liability incurred by you in respect of any error, omission or misrepresentation in this article.
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