They came from around the globe. World leaders, human rights advocates, and activists for social change converged on New York City last week for the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), sometimes referred to as the “Super Bowl of international diplomacy.”
The Women’s Refugee Commission sees UNGA as a critical opportunity to bring the voices of those who are working to respond to global displacement crises in their own communities to the policy- and decision-makers. This year, young leaders of the Global Youth Refugee Network (GRYN), which was co-founded by and is housed at WRC, came to New York to talk about their work, propose their solutions, and speak their own truth to power.
For 35 years, WRC’s approach to addressing humanitarian and displacement crises has centered around listening to displaced women, youth, and others who too often are not at the tables where decisions are made. And that’s just what we did during UNGA.
Including refugee youth in global decision-making is critical. From breaking barriers to education and employment, preventing gender-based violence, to combatting and adapting to climate change in their communities, refugee youth bring unique and invaluable perspectives. They have solutions. And they are demanding opportunities to be able to take care of themselves and contribute to their families and communities.
At the Summit of the Future, a special meeting around the power of youth held in the run-up to UNGA, GRYN and WRC shared a unified message – listen to youth. Partner with youth. Let youth lead.
WRC and GRYN do not stand alone in this message. At the event, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said, “…the fundamental issue when you talk about people on the move, particularly young people on the move, is inclusion.”
WRC is inspired by—and proud to support—the young refugee leaders of GRYN and around the world who are energized, mobilized, and working hard to create a more peaceful, sustainable, and safe future.