Children leading change: Voices from Iraq shaping a better future
By Biruk K. Beyene, Country Director, World Vision Iraq
At World Vision Iraq, we believe that children and young people are not only participants of change: they are leaders of it. Across our programmes, we are witnessing how children and adolescents are actively shaping their communities, influencing decisions, and contributing to advocacy efforts at local, regional, and global levels.
A powerful example is Rafef, a 16-year-old from Iraq and a member of the Global Children’s Council (GCC), part of World Vision’s global Children for Change movement. Through this platform, children from around the world come together to represent their peers and ensure that children’s voices influence decisions that affect their lives. Rafef actively engages with her peers in child-friendly spaces, building confidence and sharing ideas to promote positive change in her community.
Her journey reflects a broader shift we are seeing in Iraq, where children are increasingly participating in structured platforms, advocacy initiatives, and consultations. These opportunities allow them not only to express their views but also to co-create solutions to the challenges they face.
Recently, children from Iraq was selected to participate in a global side event at the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) 2026, co-hosted by World Vision and partners. This event focuses on the intersection of migration and climate change, two critical issues affecting children and youth today.
In preparation, World Vision facilitated a children and youth consultation, bringing together young people from Iraq and the region. During this dialogue, children shared honest reflections about migration, describing it as both an opportunity and a challenge. One young participant from Iraq, Yar, expressed that migration can feel “half happy and half sad,” capturing both the hope for new experiences and the pain of leaving loved ones behind.
Yar, an 11-year-old girl from Kirkuk, stands out as a strong and articulate young voice. Despite her age, she demonstrates confidence, empathy, and a clear vision for the future. She believes that children on the move should be supported with accesst to education, healthcare, and safe environments. Her participation in the consultation highlighted the importance of including even younger children in global conversations that shape policies affecting their lives.
Building on this, Yar has been nominated to represent Iraq at the upcoming IMRF 2026 side event. Her participation is not only a recognition of her abilities, but also a testament to the growing role of children in influencing global dialogue.
These experiences reinforce a critical lesson: when children are given safe spaces, the right support, and meaningful opportunities, they are capable of contributing powerful insights and solutions. From local child-friendly spaces to global advocacy platforms, Iraqi children are stepping forward, not just to be heard, but to lead.
At World Vision Iraq, we remain committed to amplifying these voices and ensuring that children and young people continue to shape the decisions that affect their present and future.