Youth empowerment

The World's Biggest Opportunity Podcast

The purpose of the podcast series is to explore challenges and solutions for improving opportunities for the world’s largest generation of youth in history. Through four thematic Podcast episodes, Haya – a young woman from Syria, living in Denmark – will explore central aspects related to the global youth agenda with a specific focus on displacement and humanitarian aspects. Through conversations with the most insightful and committed actors, Haya will invite a broader audience – including young people, civil society actors, the private sector, governments, donors, and others – to join the journey, gain knowledge and engage.

Episode 1: The largest generation of youth in history

In this episode, host Haya Termanini interviews Mette Lybye Poulsen from the Office of the United Nations Secretary General's Envoy on Youth. Together, they explore the unique challenges faced by young people and the critical role that the UN plays in enabling young people’s participation in decision-making processes. The conversation unravels the immense potential of the young generation, and uncovers how young people are driving global change, and why their inclusion is pivotal in building a more sustainable and equitable world.

Episode 1

Episode 2: Agents for change

In this episode, host Haya Termanini interviews Edwin Odhiambo, a young leader that engages and mobilizes young people through the Kenya-based youth organization Generation Shapers. They discuss how Generation Shapers successfully and effectively engages young people in their communities, emphasizing the power and impact of young people when given a space to engage. The conversation highlights the need for organizations to facilitate better and more effective engagement of young people, and why it is crucial to bridging the existing generation gap.

Episode 2

Episode 3: With us and for us - a guide to meaningful participation

In this episode, host Haya Termanini interviews Kate Mahoney, Adolescent Development and Participation Consultant at UNICEF. Together, they delve into the world of humanitarian action, highlighting the creation and impact of the "Working with and For Young People in Humanitarian and Protracted Crises" also known as the IASC guidelines. The conversation sheds light on the vital role of youth participation in shaping the future of humanitarian efforts, and how the inclusion of the youth is critical to building a more inclusive and effective global response to crises.

Episode 3

Episode 4: Unlocking the future - the transformative power of youth

In the last episode, host Haya Termanini interviews Arash Bordbar, Associate Education Officer at UNHCR. Together, they explore Arash's journey from being a young refugee himself to a passionate advocate for displaced people's rights. Arash sheds light on the upcoming Global Refugee Forum 2023, talks about the "15 by 30 Road Map," and highlighting the crucial role of youth participation in humanitarian efforts, and how youth participation is essential to shaping global responses to the crises we are facing at present in a more inclusive and effective way.

Episode 4

The host of the podcast, Haya Termanini, is a young women, an activist and advocate for displaced people's rights.

Haya grew up in Syria and came to Denmark in 2015 as a young refugee herself. As an activist and a young person affected by displacement, Haya has experienced herself how difficult it can be for young people affected by displacement to gain access to participate in the decision-making processes that concern them.

Editing and sound design by audio producer Astrid Hald.

The podcast has been co-produced with the With and For Youth network consisting of eight leading Danish NGO's: Save the Children, Plan Børnefonden, Oxfam Denmark, Red Cross, Red Cross Youth, DFUNK, Action Aid Denmark, and Danish Refugee Council.

The podcast has been funded by Global Focus and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.