I Am Here, I Belong: The Need to End Childhood Statelessness

It was the first time such a comprehensive consultation on the views of children and youth had ever been undertaken. It was also the first time that any of these youths had ever spoken to anyone about what it was like to be stateless.

7 December 2015

Every ten minutes, one stateless child is born somewhere in the world. Responding to this grim reality, the prevention and resolution of childhood statelessness has become one of the key goals of UNHCR’s Global Campaign to End Statelessness in 10 Years, or by 2024.

In mid-2015, UNHCR spoke to more than 250 children and youths, their parents and guardians, cilvil society and Governments in seven countries, including Malaysia, about the experience of childhood statelessness. It was the first time such a comprehensive consultation on the views of children and youth had ever been undertaken. It was also the first time that any of these youths had ever spoken to anyone about what it was like to be stateless.

The findings has resulted in a report entitled “I am Here, I Belong”, and has inspired a photo exhibition about stateless youths in Malaysia, of the same title.

The "I Am Here, I Belong" event that showcases the findngs of this report and the photo exhibition will be held at Publika, in Kuala Lumpur on 19 & 20 December 2015.

ADMISSION IS FREE. ALL ARE WELCOMED.

In conjunction with the one year Anniversary of UNHCR’s Global “#I Belong Campaign to End Statelessness”

Both will be launched to the public during this event.