Discussion With Young Refugees
Ambassador Pamela Hamamoto brought together business leaders, social innovators, entrepreneurs and thought leaders and a group of young refugees from around the world who are in Geneva for the Global Refugee Youth Consultations. “After what you’ve gone through, many would have lost hope,” Ambassador Hamamoto told the young refugees. “But you didn’t. You engaged with peers, international organizations, and government leaders. You developed recommendations on what should be done to provide the support you need. You’ve made your voices heard and, as a result, you are role models for others.”
Every year, UNHCR holds a three-day consultation with civil society organizations from around the world to discuss pressing issues of refugee and asylum-seeker protection, this year’s theme was youth. It gave some 30 youngsters from as far away as Colombia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and South Sudan the chance to pool their interests and experiences and place their concerns higher on the humanitarian agenda. Bringing animation and music to the discussion was Octopizzo, a well-known hip hop artist and youth activist from Kibera, Kenya.
Ambassador Hamamoto’s remarks are available at:
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