"We Were Not Merely Participating; We Were Leading the Discussions": Participation and Self-Representation of Refugee Young People in International Advocacy. Issue 4 (1st October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lenette, Caroline; Bordbar, Arash; Hazara, Arif; Lang, Elizabeth; Yahya, Sarah
• Is Part Of: Journal of immigrant & refugee studies. Volume 18:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 390
• Page End: 404
• Publication Date: 2020-10-01
• Subjects: Refugee advocates -- Self-advocacy -- Consultations -- Meaningful participation -- Engagement -- Gender issues; Immigrants -- United States -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Refugees -- United States -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Social work with immigrants -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.8753097305
• DOI: 10.1080/15562948.2019.1679404
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1556-2948

Abstract

Abstract: There is increased commitment to the participation and self-representation of people with lived experiences as refugees and asylum seekers in advocacy, especially at international, high-level events. However, we know very little about what opportunities and challenges such processes present. This paper reports on findings from a research project on youth participation and self-representation at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in collaboration with two young women and two young men from refugee backgrounds who live in Australia. We contribute new perspectives to contemporary debates on the potential for participation and self-representation in high-level consultations to effect policy change.