New Zealand National Refugee Youth Council – Youth-led Advocacy and Support for Refugee Young People
Established by refugee young people in 2013, the New Zealand National Refugee Youth Council (NZNRYC) is the only national refugee youth-led non-government organisation. Its mission is to foster an inclusive and supportive environment that enables refugee background youth to thrive, voice their concerns, and contribute to shaping policies and initiatives that promote their rights and wellbeing.
NZNRYC advocates for young people and supports them in all areas that affect them, be it education, health and wellbeing, unemployment, housing, recreation, and social relationships.
Annually, Aotearoa New Zealand resettles 1,500 refugees, with 75% of these being young people aged 12-24 years. The difficulties facing young refugees can be many and complex.
“Being a young refugee in New Zealand is particularly challenging. In addition to the difficulties faced by all young people in Aotearoa, we encounter unique challenges that often lead to significant disadvantages in social, educational, employment, and wellbeing outcomes. Leaving our home countries—and sometimes several host countries before finally resettling in Aotearoa—means we have had to separate from our communities, support networks, peers, and whānau.
We deal with complex issues such as social exclusion, inequity, racism, limited recreational opportunities, mental health challenges, exclusion from mainstream sports, and economic constraints. Furthermore, refugee youth must navigate cultural adjustments, language barriers, and educational gaps, all while coping with trauma and mental health difficulties,” says Daniel Gamboa, Chief Executive Officer – NZNRYC.
NZNRYC has established many different programmes which support young people to face these challenges. One of these is the Refugee Youth Leaders Programme which aims to empower, train, and develop the skills of refugee youth, enabling them to lead the change they wish to see in their communities has been particularly impactful.
“This year, we received more than 100 applications and accepted 30 young leaders from across New Zealand, from Auckland to Invercargill. These young leaders are equipped with essential skills in governance, public speaking, policy writing, effective advocacy, project and financial management, and te ao Māori. The programme enables refugee youth to participate actively and meaningfully in leadership and decision-making processes within their local communities,” says Daniel.
A highlight in the past year was being invited by the by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment to co-design and co-organise the 2024 National Refugee Resettlement Forum. The Forum brings together key refugee resettlement stakeholders, including former refugees, international organisations, government agencies, NGOs, and settlement service providers, to engage on strategic refugee resettlement issues.
“We had 16 of our refugee youth leaders attend the forum, where they led a day session called ‘Empowering Refugee Youth 101’. During this session, we facilitated discussions on critical issues affecting refugee youth, including mental health, education, youth rights (particularly isolation and discrimination, both online and offline), and the sense of belonging, identity, culture shock, and family dynamics. It was a highlight for us to advocate on the largest stage in New Zealand, bringing the voices of refugee youth to the table, discussing these important challenges, and exploring potential solutions,” says Daniel.
Collaboration is a big focus for NZNRYC. It’s a member of the steering committee of the New Zealand Refugee Alliance, a coalition of 50 NGOs and community groups that advocates for policy changes to ensure positive resettlement journeys. Additionally, NZNRYC is Co-Chair of the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network Youth Working Group, a network of over 300 civil society organisations from 26 countries committed to advancing the rights of refugees in the Asia Pacific region.
NZNRYC has big plans ahead including a nationwide consultation to hear directly from refugee youth about their current needs and aspirations so that programmes and initiatives can be tailored to better serve each region’s unique community. Additionally, the team is working on producing the first ‘Refugee Youth Resettlement’ framework which will be a crucial tool for service providers and organisations, guiding them in better supporting resettlement outcomes for refugee youth.
“At the NZNRYC, we believe in the power of collaboration and community-driven solutions. Our work is deeply rooted in the belief that refugee youth should not only be participants but also leaders in shaping their futures. We’re committed to creating spaces where their voices are heard, their experiences are valued, and their ideas are realised,” says Daniel.