EVENT : Youth Migration Dialogue – Challenges and Prospects for Myanmar Youth: Collaborating for safer and more inclusive migration pathways

On 16 December 2025, civil society, academics, private sector actors, government representatives, and young people gathered at the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, for the Youth Migration Dialogue: Challenges and Prospects for Myanmar Youth – Collaborating for safer and more inclusive migration pathways. The event was co-organised by Finn Church Aid (FCA) Thailand, the Network of Religious and Traditional Peacemakers (NRTP), Spirit in Education Movement (SEM), the Asian Research Center for Migration (ARCM), and the Center for Social Development Studies (CSDS), with support from the Faculty of Political Science.

Here is the statement from the Myanmar Migrant Youth participants:

From Our Hearts to Yours:
Today, we gathered at Chulalongkorn Universityto share our stories, our challenges,and our dreams. As we look toward International Migrants Day, we—Myanmar MigrantYouth, together with our partners and friends—wish to share a message from our heart.We lost our youthful days and future in our home country. We are not just movingacross borders; we are moving toward a future where we can be safe and useful. Weinvite you to walk this path with us.

To Government Partners: We ask that you continue to consider the reality of youthmigrants when making policies. By simplifying processes and protecting us from thebrokers who would take advantage of us, you allow us to step out of fear and into thelight of the law. Ensuring that rights on paper become rights in practice will change ourlives—and the livesof our family members who have placed great hopes in us anddepend on us.

To Businesses and Employers: We want to work. Please look beyond the label of'migrant workers.' See our energy, skills and our ambition. We are working hard tosupport the familieswe love back home. When you offer us safety, fair treatment, andrespect, you help us turn a difficult journey into a chance to build a better life foreveryone.

To Civil Society and Academia:You are our guide and protection. We appreciateevery safe place you create. Please help us understand our rights and make smartdecisions. Please keep telling our stories and sharing information in ways we can easilyunderstand and access, so no one is left behind.

To Thai Friends and Communities: For generations, youth from Myanmar havemigrated to Thailand for many reasons. When we decide to move, Thailand oftencomes first to our minds because of “the kindness of the Thai people”. Your kindnesscomforts us. When you smile at us, listen without judgment, and help us understanddaily life here, you make us feel less alone. We are deeply thankful for every momentyou treat us not as strangers, but as fellow human beings. We miss our home, ourfestivals and want to go back, but right now we cannot. Thanks again, your welcomecomforts us when we feel homesick.We say this from our hearts. To our Thai friends “You have made Thailand feel like HOME.

To build this home together. We will bring our energy, skills, talents, and ambition to theThai community. We would like to use one word to describe how Myanmar youth hopeto live in Thailand: “Aññamañña-paccaya.” This Pali word means “to help each otherand to do good to one another.” The concept of mutuality is deeply meaningful for both communities. That is why we hope to build “Mutuality” between Thai society and Myanmar Youth. This brings a better future for everyone.

Together, we believe that migration doesn’t have to be a struggle. With empathy and cooperation, it can be a journey toward “Harmony and Mutuality.

Thank you.

See the full agenda and presentation please visit here.