UNHCR Calls on Youth to Defend the Right to Seek Safety

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih said the principles established after the Second World War remain as important today as they were when the Refugee Convention was adopted.

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is urging young people around the world to support and protect the right to seek asylum as part of its World Refugee Day campaign on 20 June.

This year's theme, "Until Everyone Is Safe," highlights the importance of asylum as a shared global responsibility at a time when refugee protections are facing increasing pressure in many countries. The campaign also marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, the international agreement that established the right of people fleeing war, conflict and persecution to seek protection in another country.

UNHCR says the message is particularly relevant for younger generations who are passionate about social justice and equality while also navigating growing economic and social uncertainty in their own lives.

Refugee Protection Described as a Shared Safety Net

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih said the principles established after the Second World War remain as important today as they were when the Refugee Convention was adopted.

He noted that the agreement was built on a simple idea: anyone forced to flee danger should have the opportunity to find safety and protection. According to Salih, that promise was designed to serve all generations and should continue to apply regardless of changing political circumstances.

The campaign encourages people to view asylum not as a distant issue affecting only a small group of individuals but as a safeguard that could become important for anyone facing conflict, persecution or displacement in the future.

UNHCR also hopes the initiative will help challenge common misconceptions about refugees by highlighting the human stories behind displacement and the difficult choices people face when forced to leave their homes.

Refugees and Youth Voices at the Centre of Campaign

As part of the campaign, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Maya Ghazal shared her own experience as a refugee, describing asylum as a vital lifeline that provides hope and the opportunity to rebuild a future.

Ghazal, who became the first Syrian female refugee to qualify as a pilot, said displacement can happen to anyone and that protecting the right to seek safety is a reflection of shared humanity. She praised young people for their empathy and willingness to speak out in support of vulnerable communities.

The campaign also supports a broader UNHCR goal of reducing long-term refugee displacement by expanding opportunities for voluntary return, resettlement, employment, education and healthcare access. The agency believes these measures can help refugees move beyond dependence on humanitarian assistance and rebuild their lives with dignity.

Through digital campaigns, educational resources and refugee-led storytelling, UNHCR is encouraging young people, content creators and community leaders to help raise awareness and defend the right to seek safety.