Global Refugee Youth Consultations

The Consultations Consultations held in 23 countries between Oct 2015 – May 2016 (Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East, Americas) 1,500 youth (15-24) participated Global Consultation in Geneva, June 2016

Consultation Objectives 1. To create structured spaces for young refugees to have a voice and engage in participatory dialogue with other youth and relevant stakeholders at local, national, regional, and global levels. 2. To improve access for young refugees to local, national, regional, and global youth alliances and networks. 3. To foster and support participation, leadership, and empowerment opportunities for young refugees. 4. To consolidate and channel the learning from the consultations into the development of guidelines and policy recommendations on youth-inclusive programming to improve the humanitarian sector’s understanding of and work with, young refugees.

Implementation Tripartite structure Local Youth facilitators Mix of refugee & host country youth Participatory Stakeholders’ meeting Toolkit for smaller consultations

Approach – A journey of discovery Guided by youth in the design phase and continually throughout Built trust and understanding of key issues Examined challenges in depth but always ended on a high An honest and positive exchange of information and learning Focused on solutions and positive change

Outcomes – Main Challenges Difficulties obtaining legal recognition and personal documents Difficulty in accessing quality learning, formal education and skills-building opportunities Discrimination, racism, xenophobia, and “culture clash” Few youth employment and livelihood opportunities Gender inequality, discrimination, exploitation, and violence, including for LGBTI youth Poor access to youth-sensitive healthcare, including psychosocial support Lack of safety, security, and freedom of movement Challenges for unaccompanied youth Lack of opportunities to participate, be engaged or access decision makers Lack of information about asylum, refugee rights, and available services (quote)

Outcomes: Core Actions for Refugee Youth

A Framework for Action Empower refugee youth through meaningful engagement Recognise, utilise, and develop refugee youth capacities and skills Ensure refugee youth-focused protection Support refugee youth physical and emotional wellbeing Facilitate refugee youth networking and information sharing Reinforce refugee youth as connectors and peace builders Generate data and evidence on refugee youth to promote accountability to youth

Learning for participants? The interconnected nature of the challenges ergo…. That refuge and host country youth face many similar challenges That they can take action and achieve much together That adults can listen and support without taking over

Learning for us? Consistently achieving the four objectives of the project would be a real achievement. The need for a light touch The need for dedicated programmes Reinforced the need to work with young people on their own terms Complexities exist with other populations

reflections / more outcomes? Helping to change the narrative around youth Active Youth groups in 12 countries Better understanding internally and externally Expanded network of actors Political will (donors and agencies) Opportunities (youth and agencies)

Some Recommendations