character drawing illustrating the act of breaking a wall

Barrier breaker

Not all superheroes wear capes. Some break down barriers to inclusion.

What does it mean?

It means challenging the biases, systems, and practices that exclude marginalized groups — especially forcibly displaced youth — and creating space for everyone to thrive.

What can I do?

You can advocate for inclusive workplaces that welcome diversity, support equal opportunity, and eliminate discrimination based on background or status.

Discover stories of people who stood up through their actions or wished they had done it.

M. N., 25 years old, Syria

The challenge

I work in a high-end restaurant, taking calls for reservations, setting tables for dinner service, assisting guests, welcoming them, and so on.
One time, a guest requested a table that was already booked, so I had to decline. He became agitated and called my manager, making racist remarks about me being a non-national. He questioned why my manager had hired a non-national - even though my refugee background had nothing to do with the issue.

The action

When the guest became angry, I calmly called my manager and stepped aside, as per our protocol.
Thankfully, my manager stood up for me and politely told the guest that my nationality had no impact on my work, and that I was one of his best-performing employees. I felt proud and a bit surprised, given our restaurant’s “customer is always right” policy. It meant a lot to know I had my manager's support.

The impact

The guest later returned and apologized for his disrespectful remarks, and I accepted the apology. But despite that, the experience left a mark, I couldn’t shake off how it made me feel.

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