About Us

Our Identity

We are an international Working Group composed of experts with lived experience of displacement and statelessness, alongside scholars, practitioners, and legal professionals. Together, we are dedicated to establishing the participation of refugees and others affected by forced displacement or statelessness in decisions that impact their lives as a fundamental right, rather than merely an aspiration. 

This initiative is co-owned and co-led by all individual and institutional members of the Working Group across diverse regions, with leadership by those with lived experience at its core. Their voices, expertise, and agency shape the direction and substance of our collective efforts.

Our Objectives

This initiative seeks to address a critical gap in international law and policy regarding meaningful refugee participation by establishing an Independent Declaration. This Independent Declaration affirms the right of refugees and others facing forced displacement or statelessness to actively participate in decisions that affect their lives, thereby reinforcing refugee participation as both a legal and normative right. 

Our goal is to provide clear, actionable guidance and framework for States, UN bodies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to support and facilitate meaningful refugee participation. By doing so, we aim to contribute to a global displacement response that is accountable, transparent, sustainable, and grounded in the lived experiences of displaced individuals. 

This Independent Declaration has been designed to complement and strengthen existing initiatives towards meaningful refugee participation, such as the Global Compact on Refugees, EXCOM Conclusions, and the Meaningful Refugee Participation Pledge.