Youth Forum President speaks at World Humanitarian Summit

At the World Humanitarian Summit, taking place yesterday and today (23rd – 24th May) in Istanbul (Turkey) and hosted by the United Nations, the Youth Forum’s President Johanna Nyman took part in a panel debate on young refugees and their integration into cities.

The side event, “Capacity Building in Support of Young Refugees in Metropolitan Cities - Social inclusion by Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Education and Employment” debated how major cities can create social inclusion of young refugees.

Ms Nyman emphasised that it is vital that young refugees’ right to a good quality education is upheld, as education is one key way to help integrate young people into their society as well as to ease the path into the labour market. She also highlighted that integration is a two-way process, which concerns the entire society and that it is therefore important to develop educational tools and resources for teachers, youth workers and other educators, to teach children and young people about migration and development.

Another important area of discussion was the employment of young refugees. Ms Nyman pointed out that without access to quality jobs, young refugees will not be able to become financially independent and, therefore, lead independent, self-determined lives. She called on governments to ensure access for young refugees to good quality, stable jobs with social protection.

Finally, the Youth Forum’s President highlighted the vital role that youth organisations can play in integrating young people into society, particularly young refugees, empowering them to become active citizens. She called on member states to recognise this vital role played by youth organisations.

Also during the Summit, partners from UN agencies, NGOs, Member States and companies signed a “Compact for Young People in Humanitarian Action” which calls on UN Member States, as well as wider society, to work together to empower young people and children to create positive change and for the rights of those young people affected by humanitarian crises to be protected.

During the wider Summit, delegates were addressed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and they also heard personal testimonies from refugees themselves. Heads of State and Governments from across the world are attending the Summit.

For more information: https://www.worldhumanitariansummit.org and follow #ShareHumanity #WHSummit