Global Refugee Forum 2023: Local & Regional Governments Day
Transcript of Speech
Delivered 14 December 2023
Delivered 14 December 2023
Mr President, Mayors, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my honour to speak to you today on behalf of the Migration Youth & Children’s Platform and Forced To Flee, as well as a UNHCR Young Champion at the first-ever Local and Regional Governments Day. Thank you to UCLG for allowing youth to share this space with you.
Local and Regional Governments are critical actors in implementing both global compacts. Refugees and migrants do not just move across an international border; they become part of a new host community, one that many come to call home. They work on our streets, walk in our towns, and participate in our community events. They are just like us. However, refugees and migrants bring something critical to their host communities. A story of courage, perseverance, and hope. 40% of these stories come from children under the age of 18. Yet too many governments around the world engage in a highly politicised and unnecessary demonisation of people who are forced to flee. This needs to stop. It is not only wrong, but it also goes against the very nature of our human kindness. This is where local and regional governments and stakeholders come in. Efforts by local authorities, private businesses, and social organisations have helped change the narrative and separate the individual from the group. Young people have worked hand in hand with stakeholders at all levels to welcome refugees and migrants into host communities to show their humanity. Both at MYCP and Forced To Flee, we hold workshops and talks to educate young people on what it means to be a refugee but also let refugees and migrants themselves tell their stories. Using social media as a tool to talk to the world, young people are making this effort to combat xenophobia and discrimination faced by too many refugee populations. We call for action, unity and impact by leaders, communities, and governments of all levels to show global solidarity.
With the rise of displacement situations in Ukraine, Venezuela, Sudan & now Gaza, it has never been so important to call out hatred. And whilst I have the floor, it would be remiss of me not to echo and amplify the call by the UN General Assembly at its 10th Emergency Session, as well as that of MYCP, Forced To Flee and young people across the world, for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The current inhumane and indiscriminate killing of innocent Palestinians must not go unmentioned or unpunished.
Refugees and migrants don’t only deserve to be treated just like us but also deserve access to services in their local communities. Local governments, as the providers of these essential services in multiple countries, must ensure that young refugees and migrants are allowed to receive the necessary healthcare they need, both mental and physical, after their long and arduous journeys. Most often taken alone. Over the past 2 days, young refugees have repeatedly called for access to education. Young migrants and refugees, when given adequate opportunities, are incredible leaders in their communities. My fellow young champion Solange is an excellent example of that. Youth on the move are not only defined by the label refugee or migrant, but they are also engineers, teachers, lawyers, doctors, politicians, and so many other things as education unlocks their potential. That is why I implore all of you in this room to support the call to local action for migrants and refugees, specifically on providing education and social services and UNHCR’s 15% by 2030 campaign. Young refugees and migrants must be given the opportunities to thrive and be financially supported through their journeys.
Finally, I turn to governance. Refugees and migrants must be able to structurally and systematically engage with local decision-makers to ensure the success of integration and inclusion efforts. Many local authorities have established such mechanisms alongside other stakeholders, such as the private sector. Constructive dialogue with refugees, migrants, and local governments on behalf of local communities is vital in creating sustainable solutions which empower refugees and help refugees and migrants feel part of their community. However, all too often, these mechanisms ignore one crucial actor. Youth. Young people, especially youth on the move, have a critical voice in policymaking. As the youth and refugees have echoed throughout this forum, nothing about us without us. This goes for all policies and processes surrounding youth, refugees, or migrants. The UNHCR Young Champions Pledge made here specifically commits us young people to work with you, governments of all levels, on policy implementation for meaningful refugee and youth inclusion. We stand ready. Excellencies, mayors, and governors, do you?
Thank you.
It is my honour to speak to you today on behalf of the Migration Youth & Children’s Platform and Forced To Flee, as well as a UNHCR Young Champion at the first-ever Local and Regional Governments Day. Thank you to UCLG for allowing youth to share this space with you.
Local and Regional Governments are critical actors in implementing both global compacts. Refugees and migrants do not just move across an international border; they become part of a new host community, one that many come to call home. They work on our streets, walk in our towns, and participate in our community events. They are just like us. However, refugees and migrants bring something critical to their host communities. A story of courage, perseverance, and hope. 40% of these stories come from children under the age of 18. Yet too many governments around the world engage in a highly politicised and unnecessary demonisation of people who are forced to flee. This needs to stop. It is not only wrong, but it also goes against the very nature of our human kindness. This is where local and regional governments and stakeholders come in. Efforts by local authorities, private businesses, and social organisations have helped change the narrative and separate the individual from the group. Young people have worked hand in hand with stakeholders at all levels to welcome refugees and migrants into host communities to show their humanity. Both at MYCP and Forced To Flee, we hold workshops and talks to educate young people on what it means to be a refugee but also let refugees and migrants themselves tell their stories. Using social media as a tool to talk to the world, young people are making this effort to combat xenophobia and discrimination faced by too many refugee populations. We call for action, unity and impact by leaders, communities, and governments of all levels to show global solidarity.
With the rise of displacement situations in Ukraine, Venezuela, Sudan & now Gaza, it has never been so important to call out hatred. And whilst I have the floor, it would be remiss of me not to echo and amplify the call by the UN General Assembly at its 10th Emergency Session, as well as that of MYCP, Forced To Flee and young people across the world, for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The current inhumane and indiscriminate killing of innocent Palestinians must not go unmentioned or unpunished.
Refugees and migrants don’t only deserve to be treated just like us but also deserve access to services in their local communities. Local governments, as the providers of these essential services in multiple countries, must ensure that young refugees and migrants are allowed to receive the necessary healthcare they need, both mental and physical, after their long and arduous journeys. Most often taken alone. Over the past 2 days, young refugees have repeatedly called for access to education. Young migrants and refugees, when given adequate opportunities, are incredible leaders in their communities. My fellow young champion Solange is an excellent example of that. Youth on the move are not only defined by the label refugee or migrant, but they are also engineers, teachers, lawyers, doctors, politicians, and so many other things as education unlocks their potential. That is why I implore all of you in this room to support the call to local action for migrants and refugees, specifically on providing education and social services and UNHCR’s 15% by 2030 campaign. Young refugees and migrants must be given the opportunities to thrive and be financially supported through their journeys.
Finally, I turn to governance. Refugees and migrants must be able to structurally and systematically engage with local decision-makers to ensure the success of integration and inclusion efforts. Many local authorities have established such mechanisms alongside other stakeholders, such as the private sector. Constructive dialogue with refugees, migrants, and local governments on behalf of local communities is vital in creating sustainable solutions which empower refugees and help refugees and migrants feel part of their community. However, all too often, these mechanisms ignore one crucial actor. Youth. Young people, especially youth on the move, have a critical voice in policymaking. As the youth and refugees have echoed throughout this forum, nothing about us without us. This goes for all policies and processes surrounding youth, refugees, or migrants. The UNHCR Young Champions Pledge made here specifically commits us young people to work with you, governments of all levels, on policy implementation for meaningful refugee and youth inclusion. We stand ready. Excellencies, mayors, and governors, do you?
Thank you.
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Note: This speech was delivered by Aryan Sanghrajka in his capacities as Founder of Forced To Flee, Executive Team Member & Global Compact on Migration Workstream Lead at the Migration Youth and Children's Platform, and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Young Champion. The speech was delivered at the Local & Regional Governments Day (14 November), 2023 Global Refugee Forum hosted by UNHCR in (Palexpo Room L) Geneva, Switzerland, between 13-15 December 2023.
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