Tenth IPU Global Conference: Towards a Future Filled with Promise

The Tenth Inter-Parliamentary Union Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians, held from 12-14 September in Yerevan, Armenia, focused on the critical issues facing young refugees, including access to higher education and opportunities for change through international cooperation and policy reform.

The conference's calls to action reaffirmed a shared resolve to address the multifaceted challenges faced by youth. It underscored that while the path forward remains fraught with difficulties, the collective efforts of individuals, organizations, and countries offer a beacon of hope and a pathway to meaningful change.

Parliamentarians play a crucial role in ensuring access to such opportunities. From ensuring the use of moderate language in political discourse and debate around refugees to proposing legislation and challenging governments to do better, achieving the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees can only be done with their support.

Nour Mussa is a recipient of one of the 100 United World Colleges Refugee scholarships provided annually to refugees and internally displaced students attending one of 18 UWC colleges worldwide. As part of the programme, Nour was supported in completing his studies at the University of Rochester in New York.

“Reading the concept note for this conference,” Nour began, “Education is not merely a personal journey but a beacon of hope for those who have faced unimaginable hardship. My own experiences have taught me that education fosters empathy and provides crucial support for those in need.”

Nour’s speech was more than a story of personal triumph — it was a powerful call to action. Reflecting on his time as a student and now as a teacher, he emphasised the transformative power of education. “Education was my sanctuary amid adversity,” he explained. “It was not just about earning respect but about understanding and empathy.”

Mr Mussa’s words were a clarion call for change, emphasising that education is not just a privilege but a fundamental right that can transform lives and communities. His message, filled with hope and determination, inspired many, including young parliamentarians who appreciated his unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive.

Kiri Atri, External Relations Officer at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Armenia, acknowledged the progress in integrating refugee youth into educational systems and job markets, stating, “While we have seen encouraging successes, the barriers still persist.” He emphasised the necessity for comprehensive policy frameworks beyond partial remedies, advocating for enhanced access to education, job opportunities, and long-term residency for refugees. He cited successful practices from Armenia, Germany, Jordan, Canada, and Australia, demonstrating the value of legal access to labour markets and skills-based approaches in effectively integrating refugees.

The UNHCR official also urged parliamentarians to take action, including building and enhancing state systems that prevent and respond to human displacement tragedies, ensuring the protection of individuals both in transit and upon arrival, to develop legal frameworks that are inclusive and sensitive to the needs of the most vulnerable, especially refugee children and youth; to uphold international commitments based on existing human rights treaties; and to create legal frameworks that facilitate the implementation of best practices for refugee integration, focusing on education, employment, and social cohesion.

The Tenth IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians reaffirmed a shared resolve to address youth's multifaceted challenges. It underscored that while the path forward remains fraught with difficulties, the collective efforts of individuals, organisations, and countries offer a beacon of hope and a pathway to meaningful change.

Nour’s dedication to his students mirrors the support he received. Highlighting the urgent need for educational systems that can uplift refugee youth, Nour said “Every child has potential. It is our duty to provide them with the opportunities to realise it.” We must build educational frameworks that are inclusive and nurturing, offering a path out of displacement and toward a future filled with promise.”

About the IPU

UNHCR’s participation in the IPU Assembly builds on the commitments of the IPU and other parliamentary bodies at the Global Refugee Forum 2023. Regional and international parliaments submitted pledges supporting the GCR objectives, including working to end statelessness, while several other state pledges required parliamentary action and involvement.

More about UWC

The UWC Refugee Initiative, supported by UNHCR, and a pledge made at the 2029 GRF, aims to provide 100 scholarships a year to enable refugee and internally displaced students to attend one of 18 UWC colleges worldwide teaching the International Baccalaureate in Armenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Canada, Costa Rica, Eswatini, Germany, Hong Kong SAR China, Italy, Netherlands, Tanzania, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States.