Refugee Youth Leaders Rally Global Support at ECOSOC Forum for Lasting Inclusion

At the 2025 ECOSOC Youth Forum, a landmark side event titled “Advancing Refugee Youth Leadership and Socio-Economic Inclusion for Sustainable Development” brought together over 120 participants including refugee youth leaders, UN agencies, government representatives, and humanitarian organizations. This dynamic gathering not only elevated the voices of young refugees but also served as a bold call for meaningful, long-term investment in refugee-led initiatives and socio-economic empowerment.

A Collaborative Front: Broad Global Participation

Co-organized by a coalition of influential stakeholders—the Permanent Observer Mission of IGAD to the UN, the Permanent Mission of Denmark, the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNHCR, UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Volunteers, the Danish Refugee Council, Save the Children, Plan International, the Global Refugee Youth Network (GRYN), and the Compact for Young People in Humanitarian Action—the event emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation in building inclusive, resilient communities.

Ambassador Cherinet Hariffo of IGAD opened the forum by underscoring the urgency of addressing growing displacement and the rise of anti-refugee rhetoric. “The international community must rise to meet young refugees’ determination with action, not just words,” he stated, urging global actors to prioritize inclusive policies, accessible education, and economic opportunities as fundamental rights—not privileges.

Youth Leadership in Action: Voices from the Frontlines

Throughout the event, refugee youth leaders passionately shared their stories of innovation and resilience. Kesiya Ramazani Stamili, a Congolese refugee raised in Zimbabwe’s Tongogara Refugee Settlement, presented the Transformation Innovation Hub (TIH)—an initiative that provides entrepreneurship training and has launched numerous youth-led social enterprises.

From Jordan, Adhraa Faris Qwqa, co-founder of Life Savers, spoke of her organization’s impact through youth-focused first aid training programs benefiting both refugees and host communities. These youth-driven projects are not only addressing local challenges but also fostering stronger, more cohesive societies.

Policy and Partnership Commitments: Bridging Gaps

Jurriaan Middelhoff, Youth Ambassador from the Netherlands, spotlighted his country’s Youth at Heart Strategy, a development agenda that prioritizes young people in vulnerable contexts. He also reaffirmed support for the PROSPECTS Programme, which enhances access to education, employment, and leadership for forcibly displaced youth.

Emilia Bøge Caliskan, Denmark’s UN Youth Delegate for Democracy and Partnerships, elaborated on Denmark’s institutional mechanisms for youth engagement, such as Youth Advisory Boards at embassies and its Youth Delegate Program. These initiatives exemplify how governments can integrate youth perspectives in policymaking processes.

Urgent Needs Amid Global Challenges

Against a backdrop of funding cuts and geopolitical uncertainty, panelists raised concerns about the implications for forcibly displaced youth. Omar Hashi (UNICEF/UNV Fellow, Jordan) and George Tarr (UNHCR Youth Ambassador and Refugee Congress Delegate) emphasized the necessity of investing in refugee youth’s mental health, legal support, quality education, and economic empowerment.

The panel also included influential voices like Sivanka Dhanapala, Director of UNHCR’s New York Office, who stressed the non-negotiable need to support refugee youth leadership as a cornerstone for building a more equitable world. “Investing in refugee youth... is essential,” he declared.

Scaling Impact: The Road Ahead

Eesha Moitra from the ILO underlined the importance of pairing humanitarian aid with robust development strategies, while Marcy Levy of UNICEF called for long-term investment to truly localize refugee response efforts. Jakob I. Myschetzky of the Danish Refugee Council highlighted the need to scale successful models that empower youth in displacement.

Save the Children’s Mai Sami Ahmed advocated for creating enabling environments for refugee youth, while Barthelmy Mwanze, RYLO Coordinator with GRYN, concluded with a compelling message: “Young refugee leaders should not only be seen as beneficiaries, but as change agents and local leaders.”

He also spotlighted the GRYN Youth Action Fund, a unique funding mechanism supporting refugee-led initiatives directly within their communities, enabling young leaders to respond quickly and effectively to local needs.

A Unified Call to Action

The event concluded with a resounding commitment from co-organizers to champion refugee youth inclusion. Key priorities outlined included:

• Expanding access to education, skills training, and decent employment.

• Increasing long-term, flexible funding for refugee-led organizations.

• Embedding youth leadership in humanitarian and development agendas.

• Strengthening youth-informed policymaking at all governance levels.

• Building equitable partnerships to amplify refugee youth voices.

The ECOSOC Youth Forum’s side event served as both a platform and a catalyst—amplifying refugee voices, showcasing youth-led innovation, and compelling global stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and invest in transformative action.