PATRIR was proud to be represented in The 14th Global Forum on Migration and Development Summit in Geneva (GFMD), Switzerland, held from the 23rd to the 25th of January. This event serves as a crucial government-led platform shaping the global discourse on migration and development, with active youth involvement since 2017, supported by consecutive GFMD chairs.
Prior to the summit, our colleague Esraa Abdallah participated in the two-day Migration Youth Forum—a significant global gathering where young leaders from around the world voiced their ideas, influencing the present and future of migration. Discussions ranged from the impact of climate change on human mobility to addressing migration and development challenges in various regions. The event served as the official preparatory space for youth to consolidate and exchange priorities, recommendations, youth-led solutions, and best practices, later introduced during the GFMD sessions to member states, ministries, stakeholders, and policymakers.
During the Forum, Esraa addressed migration problems and challenges, emphasizing the transformation of these challenges into positive narratives on migration. She stressed the Cluj International Citizens Council’s importance in mobilizing communities in Cluj, contributing to positive outcomes for both communities and local society.
On the first day of the GFMD Summit, Esraa was a main speaker at the side event “Collective Storytelling on Gender, Migration, and Diaspora Engagement,” discussing Women Empowerment. The session encouraged audience reflection and exchange of experiences. Esraa shared personal and professional experiences, promoting a story-telling approach to empower women and encourage them to share their own experiences. She highlighted the positive results of the ENFEM project by the Global Inclusion department at PATRIR.
Concluding with the council’s slogan “We are who we are because of each other,” the session focused on women empowerment, youth, and migration.
On the last day of the GFMD, PATRIR participated in Governmental Roundtable 5, discussing “Improving the perception of migration in public opinion through narratives, culture, emotion, and national discourse.” Esraa Abdallah delivered a speech on communicating the social and cultural benefits of migration in host communities. She highlighted the Cluj International Citizens Council’s initiative in promoting migration’s participation in cultural aspects to enhance public perception.
Following the roundtable, a workshop on the council was conducted for migrants and migrants-led organizations, as well as co-chairs from different countries, resulting in fruitful discussions. #GFMD #MYF #youth #womenempowerment
