Known Unknowns | Chris Richmond Nzi
KNOWN UNKNOWNS IS A SERIES THAT PROFILES MOVERS AND SHAKERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
TO DRIVE BETTER, MORE SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS PRACTICES.
Meet Chris Richardson Nzi - the founder of Mygrants, the first app based on micro-learning designed especially to deliver support to immigrants through a series of thematic module quizzes.
Chris has a number of accolades under his belt. He graduated in International Rights and Diplomacy in Switzerland. From 2010 to 2015 he worked as Strategic Intelligence Analyst for Frontex and as Inspector and then Commissioner for EASO (European Asylum Support Office). He is an Associate Member of ActionAid Italy, a mentor at the Tony Elumelu Foundation, a member of the Steering Committee at Learning Economy Foundation and a member of the Security Check Committee at Diversity Lab.
What was your first experience of immigration?
I was born in Grand-Bassam, Ivory Coast. I was adopted as a kid and ended up leaving my birth country. This was the first chance that I had to move to a different continent and confront myself in a new environment and culture.
How did the development of Mygrants App begin?
I was working as a data scientist for Frontex, a private agency of the European Commission that is responsible for coordinating border control efforts.
My role was to monitor all the factors that could lead to the potential movement of individuals. In those five years, I learnt a lot about the use and potential behind data. I also learned a lot about the European system, in general. Inside the company, I had the privilege to follow the Arab Spring, and the increasing migration flow towards southern borders of the EU. I was a consultant for the Italian government and learned how to better manage migration flows. During this time, I understood that the European Union was struggling to find a long-term solution to manage international migration. All the initiatives were not for-profit oriented, and as a result, there was an increasing struggle to include asylum seekers and migrants into host communities to become financially independent. I decided that somehow data will be fundamental to learn about migrants, to highlight their skills, their areas of strength, their potential, and to then work on matching available skills and skills requested by the labour market. I thought about something that could support several states to relocate asylum seekers and migrants based on their capabilities and to use these to fulfil national labour market shortages.
I started thinking about a potential model. I knew that the model needed to be digital 100% because 90% of asylum seekers were basically digital natives. From then onwards, we worked to identify the main challenges. Our aim was to build something not just to support asylum seekers, but to use the data to build trust between asylum seekers and third parties, especially with employers.
How is the migrant community an asset to organisations?
Did you know that the number of asylum migrants worldwide is up to 285 million people? That is 3.5% of the world's population today. Migrants generate 10% of the global GDP. There is an economic potential behind migration. And that's the reason why I continue to say that there is an untapped potential because we could do better.
Why are people (businesses/ institutions) not seeing this community as an asset?
I think it’s a few things. There's a negative perception behind migration. After the financial crisis in 2008, host communities believed migrants wanted to steal their job or reduce the number of opportunities available for host communities, themselves. It is also true that when you are not able to include migrants into host communities, this could lead to an economic investment from the government - but if you have a low return on investment, then something is not working.
You have previously said that immigration is not just inevitable, it is a necessity. What did you mean by this?
Well, it's about moving somewhere else because I'm forced to, or because I have the desire to find better life prospects. Migration is a natural part of humanity. Since the beginning of time humans have been moving around to seek better life prospects. What about war or land grabbing? What about climate change? There are many factors that can lead to the need or desire to move somewhere else for an increase in your quality of life. In this way, I believe that migration generates huge progress. Steve Jobs' father was a migrant, which means that without the opportunity for his parents to move somewhere else, we would never be able today to have the iPhone or the iPad. If you take in consideration some countries such as Italy, Slovenia, Germany, Canada, US, Japan - those are the oldest countries in the world with the lowest birth rate in the world. There are not enough people active in the market shortage to be able to get the job done. This means you have only one option left, bring in some new people, with a lower average age compared to national citizens, and include them into the labour force. And this is a strategy that Canada is building right now. The solution to the problem could be migration itself, right?
It seems crazy that most places don't have the infrastructure given that it is such an instinct for humans to move around.
They do - the problem is they are often just emergency answers, so we need to find a sustainable solution. We need to adapt the solution based on the evolution of international migration flows. We have the tools, we have the knowledge, we have the budget to make it happen. I believe it is up to a political agenda to succeed - the desire and willingness to do better.
Do you think that the skills gap is the fault of leaders? Or do you think that we, as a society can play more of an active role in integrating migrants into our local community?
I believe that politicians need to put in place some long-term and far-reaching legislation. That being said, society itself can do better. A country such as Italy has struggled to keep their national talents - we have a lot of Italians that move somewhere else for better life prospects. If you're not able to keep your talent, you will never be able to attract some talents from abroad. Talent follows talent, which is why if migrants have the choice of where to go, that will probably head to Germany, or the UK or to the US or in Canada, because these countries cater to the needs of migrants.
Can you walk me through Mygrants 4 step process?
Do a preliminary screening of skills, background and aspiration of all immigrants, especially newly arrived.
Train all immigrants with a good balance between a theoretical approach, based on information and knowledge, and a practical approach, based on direct experience.
Three, analyse collected data to ease the matching between most skills identified and career placement available on the market.
Four, ease the access to deserving immigrants with fundamental tools they need to achieve economic independence.
COVID was a turning point for many businesses. Some were very successful during this period while others struggled to get by. What impact did COVID have on you?
We saw both positive and negative consequences. Many of our trainees lost their jobs while many others were struggling to find job opportunities. Companies reduced the labour market shortage, so they had less placement requests. Borders were closed so people could not migrate, so it wasn't possible to move from Nigeria to Italy or to Europe. Our mantra is opportunity adversity, so during the adversity, we also had some opportunities, we just needed to understand which skill sets could take advantage of those opportunities.
You're working in one of the hardest markets and have overcome passive challenges. What do you think it is that that got you through?
Responsibility. The fact that we know that there are millions of people struggling, and we know that we are the right people doing the right thing at the right time. Responsibility is something that's continued to propel us forward every single day.
What last lesson do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?
I wish I knew how hard it would be to work with non-profit organisations when you are a for-profit organisation. For decades, non-profit organisations were the responsible bodies to manage international migration - from managing commercial centres to refugee camps. Most of the time, they are the reason why asylum seekers continue to leave their homeland. The challenge is that they are afraid of innovation and like to keep their status quo. We have found that most don't know what data is - they don't know how to use data, or do they understand the benefit it can generate. Mygrants had to work to overcome this challenge by reaching the final beneficiaries without them.
As we reflect on the lessons learned from this past year, what values are you taking with you? What values are you leaving behind?
I leave behind negativity. There are a lot of people saying, “I don't understand why you are doing this” or “we don't need migrants or better systems for migration”. I believe that people will save people, so I take with me good willing people.
Rapid Fire
What do you do for fun? I work - but when I am not working, I study, read and listen to music. I enjoy learning about new technologies, like Blockchain decentralisation.
What keeps you awake at night? My responsibilities - not just for my colleagues but for my beneficiaries and clients, too.
What podcast are you currently listening to? The Founder's Mentality: How to Overcome the Predictable Crises of Growth - by Chris Zook and James Allen. This is something that every single entrepreneur should read.
What is your favourite quote? Opportunity in adversity. This is also Mygrant’s quote.
What is one thing people don't know about you? That might surprise them? I'm 100% a pessimist 😂
What makes you feel powerful? My skills and ambitions - not personal, but professional ambitions.
Fill in the missing word…. I dream of a world where ….. all people can achieve better life prospects without needing to ask permission from others.
For more information about Chris and his work with Mygrants, visit https://mygrants.it