David Miliband’s parents fled to Britain from continental Europe as a result of WWII. This experience continues to influence his work as head of the International Rescue Committee, which helps people affected by conflict and disaster.

Former Young People’s Laureate for London Momtaza Mehri was born in London to Somali parents who left Somalia in 1984. Introduced to poetry as a child, she believes words are a powerful tool for exploring our place in the world and hopes to inspire the next generation of young people.

Writer Dina Nayeri fled Iran with her family at the age of eight, after her mother converted to Christianity. They spent two years as asylum seekers before settling in America as refugees. Dina is the author of two novels and, most recently, The Ungrateful Refugee, which looks at the refugee experience from both a personal and journalistic perspective.