American University in Dubai hosts Conference on Youth Engagement and the Global Refugee Crisis

DUBAI, 20th March, 2017 (WAM) -- The American University in Dubai (AUD) and the UN Refugee Agency - UNHCR - are organising a conference titled ''The Youth Engagement and the Global Refugee Crisis'', which will explore the importance of mobilising youth to lead and drive humanitarian efforts. The conference on March 20 at the AUD campus will also discuss how governments, the private sector, academia and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can facilitate and further encourage youth involvement in public service and build effective programs in response to global crises. Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, will open the conference. Keynote addresses main speakers include Commissioner Christos Stylianides, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, and Volker Turk, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. A panel discussions will tackle ''How Can Governments Encourage and Facilitate Youth Engagement In Aid Work? In this panel, government officials will be invited to share their experience with and involvement in alleviating the refugee crisis, as well as their experience in involving youth in humanitarian response. This panel will also discuss the role of governments in fostering positive action, particularly in light of the UAE’s announcement of 2017 as the "Year of Giving", in addition to regional governmental initiatives. Government representatives from the region and beyond will be invited to share their perspectives on the ways in which their institutions are facilitating youth engagement in humanitarian work. Another panel discussion will focus on Public Private Partnerships in Humanitarian Aid For Refugees. The world has been witnessing the highest number of refugees and displaced people recorded in modern history. According to the UN, over 65 million people have been forced to leave their homes. Almost a third of these are refugees, more than half of whom are under the age of 18. This panel will bring together practitioners in the field of humanitarian aid as well as private sector actors, who have been engaged individually or in public-private partnerships to alleviate the refugee crisis. In the Story-Sharing Session, stories of human experiences and individual/community transformations will be shared by young activists who contribute to improve the lives of refugees, by promoting positive images through diverse media channels, producing artworks that debunk stereotypes and art therapy, and engaging in volunteering programs and in capacity-building local projects. http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302603757