Page 32 - DUT CONNECT - Spring 2024

Humanitarian at Heart
Dr Justin Bibee exemplifies the power of compassion and connections in creating a more empathetic and just world.
It is a difficult task to summarise who Dr Justin Bibee is and what he has accomplished. He is the recipient of countless international awards and the author of several influential books. A Mayoral Proclamation from the City of Warwick proclaimed January 18, 2019, as Justin Bibee Day. He is an acclaimed human rights advocate and, as the Assistant Director of Refugee Resettlement at the Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, leads Rhode Island’s largest refugee resettlement effort. But perhaps the epitome of Justin can be summarised in the simplest form, the thing treasured by us all – he gives people a home.
Justin, a native of Cranston, Rhode Island, grew up in a household where education was paramount. His parents, recognising the power of knowledge, instilled in him a strong work ethic and a relentless pursuit of academic excellence.As a first-generation college graduate, Justin’s path was shaped by the unwavering support of his family, who celebrated his successes. Today, his beloved wife, Yousra, is a mainstay as he navigates a career dedicated to peacebuilding and refugee resettlement.
Justin’s academic journey led him to earn a PhD in public administration focusing on peacebuilding. His research, particularly his thesis titled “Peace Education as a Peacebuilding Tool in the Western Sahara Region,” delved into the complex dynamics of peacebuilding in conflict-ridden societies. The Western Sahara conflict, Africa’s longest-standing and often overlooked dispute, served as the backdrop for his study. Justin employed an action research approach, utilising peace education to foster dialogue and empathy between Moroccans and Sahrawis. His findings underscored the transformative potential of peace education in promoting lasting peace in deeply divided regions.
A pivotal experience that shaped Justin’s career was his work with the United Nations in Tanzania’s refugee camps. His dedication to supporting refugees and his leadership skills earned him a promotion to Assistant Director of Refugee Resettlement. In this role, he now oversees Rhode Island’s largest refugee
resettlement effort at the Dorcas International Institute. Here, Justin leads a dedicated team of resettlement case managers, serving as the primary point of contact for refugees arriving in the state.
Justin’s journey in refugee assistance began in 2013 with academic research on conflict and peacebuilding, leading him to join the United Nations in 2017. His work in Tanzania’s refugee camps, supporting Burundian and Congolese refugees, was both challenging and deeply rewarding. In 2021, he transitioned to the Dorcas International Institute, where he initially worked as a resettlement case manager, addressing the immediate needs of refugees, from securing housing to accessing essential services. His efforts have had far-reaching impact, assisting refugees from diverse regions, including Angola, Afghanistan, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iraq, Jordan, Liberia, Nepal, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Ukraine,Venezuela, and Western Sahara.
Justin’s contributions to academia and humanitarianism have been recognised through his recent appointment as a Global Fellow (2024) at the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies at Brown University. This fellowship allows him to collaborate with a network of scholars and practitioners, driving interdisciplinary research to address the root causes of human rights abuses and advance global humanitarian efforts.
Reflecting on his years as a tertiary student at DUT, Justin recalls a period of intense growth and learning. Balancing a full- time job as a refugee resettlement case manager with his PhD studies required meticulous time management and unwavering dedication. His academic advisor, Dr Sylvia Kaye, played a crucial role in his development, motivating him to reach his full potential.
One of Justin’s fondest memories from DUT involves a serendipitous connection with Dr Kaye. Living in Maui, Hawaii, when he decided to apply to DUT, Justin was unaware that Dr Kaye had ties to his home state of Rhode Island. Their paths crossed unexpectedly when Justin moved back to Rhode Island to work with refugees. They met for coffee twice, blending discussions of research with shared experiences of their state. These meetings reinforced the global nature of academic and personal connections. “It was heart-warming to realise how small the world can be and how our professional and personal lives can intertwine in the most delightful ways,” recalls Justin.
In his current role as Assistant Director for Refugee Resettlement at the Dorcas International Institute, Justin’s
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