Nothing About Us Without Us: Brainstorming Multilateral Reform to Systematize Accountability to Affected People in the Global Refugee Response

Nothing About Us Without Us: Brainstorming Multilateral Reform to Systematize Accountability to Affected People in the Global Refugee Response was a GRF linked event hosted on December 14th by Independent Diplomat in coordination with Oxfam, the Global Refugee-led Network, Asylum Access, and the African Youth Action Network. The panelists included: Simon Marot Touloung, Co-founder and Team Lead, African Youth Action Network; Advocacy Coordinator, Global Refugee Youth Network; Sana Mustafa, CEO, Asylum Access; Meryam Aslan, Global Human Mobility Lead, Oxfam International; Alexander Widmer, Global Refugee Forum Coordinator for Switzerland; and Ryan Allman (Moderator), DC Representative and Legal Advisor, Independent Diplomat.

The event, which featured speakers who are working to ensure accountability to affected communities, discussed the way forward to systematize meaningful refugee participation. Panelists approached participation in the global refugee response from a historical lens, urging participants to question and unpack the origins of systematic exclusion. As a way forward, panelists underscored the need for a bottom up approach that ensures that the response to refugee situations is in line with the needs of the populations most affected.