Voices out of Conflict: Young People Affected by Forced Migration and Political Crisis

Humanitarian aid agencies have tended to see protection in terms of national or regional security, and do not give enough recognition to other aspects of protection which are far more vital to young people in situations of political crisis or forced migration. For these young people, aged 10 to 25 years, protection from sexual abuse and labour exploitation, and the creation of the conditions in which they can have safe access to education, employment and healthcare, and consequently become self-sufficient, are much more immediate concerns.

Recent research and experience suggests that these young people are not adequately listened to even by the agencies and NGOs whose goals are to help them. This conference addressed these issues in a unique way, by bringing young refugees to Cumberland Lodge to put their experiences and solutions directly to funders, agencies and academics. The event was hosted by Cumberland Lodge in partnership with the Refugee Studies Centre (RSC) at the University of Oxford and by the International Rescue Committee (UK) (IRC) and the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children.

Supporting documents

• Publications / Protection through participation (Background paper)

Outputs

• Publications / Voices out of Conflict: Young People Affected by Forced Migration and Political Crisis (Event report)
• Publications / Protection through participation: young people affected by forced migration and political crisis (Working Paper 20)