Young Migrants: Getting Migrant Voices Heard - a youth-led advocacy event
Mijica | 26 | Ngunnawal Country (ACT)
On April 24, 2025, the online youth-led event, Young Migrants: Getting Migrant Voices Heard, was hosted by young people from AYAC’s CAMPAIGN program in collaboration with the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN). This event provided a powerful platform for young migrants to share their experiences, voice their opinions, and engage in discussions around identity, advocacy, and the challenges of being heard in decisions that shape their future.
The event’s defining feature was its completely youth-driven nature, with young people taking charge of every aspect, from planning to execution. This ensured that the voices of migrant youth were central, allowing their stories to be heard authentically. The planning team – Aarnav, Sania, Neerja, Raghu, and I – worked hard to create an event that was inclusive, empowering, and reflective of diversity migrant youth experiences.
Panel speakers Nayonika Bhattacharya, Ikram Ismail, and Krushnadevsinh “Kano” Ravalji shared their personal stories, reflecting on the complexities of cultural identity, integration, and societal expectations. Their experiences underscored the common struggles young migrants face as they navigate the balance between their cultural heritage and the pressures of adapting to a new environment. In this short blog, I share my five key learning points from the event.
1. Youth-Led Advocacy: Empowering Young People to Lead Their Own Conversations
The event demonstrated the crucial importance of youth-led discussions. Too often, young people are invited to participate in conversations about issues that impact them, but the planning and decision-making are left to older generations. In contrast, this event was entirely youth-driven. The young planning team ensured that the event was shaped by those who experience the challenges firsthand, creating a space where migrant youth could control the narrative and lead the conversation about their futures. The event highlighted that when given autonomy, young people can drive meaningful change and create spaces that reflect their lived realities.
2. Personal Stories that Shape Our Identities
The personal stories shared by the panellists were deeply impactful, resonating with the audience. Nayonika, Ikram, Kano, and others shared the challenges they face as young migrants, balancing two cultures, navigating societal pressures, and striving for a sense of belonging. These stories illuminated the common struggles many migrant youths face, including feelings of displacement and the desire to be heard. By sharing their vulnerabilities, the panellists allowed the audience to connect on a deeper level, reinforcing the idea that personal stories shape who we are and how we navigate the world.
3. Taking Up Space and Embracing Evolving Identities
A central theme of the event was the importance of migrant youth claiming their space in society. Often, young migrants feel pressured to shrink themselves to fit into spaces not designed for them. The event encouraged participants to unapologetically embrace their identities and take up the space they deserve. Additionally, the event emphasised that cultural identity is not fixed but rather evolves with experiences. The panellists discussed how their cultural identities have been shaped by their migrant experiences, highlighting the dynamic and evolving nature of culture. The discussions encouraged youth to embrace the fluidity of their identities and see this evolution as a source of strength.
4. Confronting Fear, Together
Fear was another recurring theme throughout the event. Many young migrants experience fear—fear of rejection, fear of failure, and fear of not belonging. However, the event made it clear that these fears are not unique to one individual but are shared by many in the community. By sharing their experiences, participants learned that fear does not have to hold them back. The event encouraged them to confront their fears, support each other, and recognize that fear can be a catalyst for growth and empowerment. The collective sharing of fears helped create a sense of solidarity, empowering participants to take bold steps toward creating change.
5. Empowered for the Future
The event concluded with a powerful sense of hope and empowerment. Through storytelling, breakout rooms, and Q&A sessions, participants left with a stronger sense of identity and purpose. The event reinforced that young migrants are not just passive recipients of their circumstances but are active leaders, changemakers, and advocates for their futures. While acknowledging the challenges they face, the event reminded them that these challenges are not insurmountable. Migrant youth will continue to push for change, create spaces for their voices to be heard, and work toward a future that is more inclusive and representative of their diverse experiences.
A Final Reflection
The Young Migrants: Getting Migrant Voices Heard event served as a powerful reminder of the strength, resilience, and leadership of migrant youth. By sharing their stories and experiences in a space designed and led by young people themselves, the event demonstrated the transformative power of youth-led advocacy. As the discussions unfolded, it became clear that migrant youth are not only navigating the complexities of cultural identity and integration but are also at the forefront of advocating for change. The event highlighted that when migrant youth are empowered to lead, they can shape the future in ways that reflect their diverse identities, experiences, and aspirations. Moving forward, it is essential to continue amplifying these voices, ensuring that young migrants are not just heard, but given the agency to drive the change they wish to see.