By: RO Maung Shwe
In the face of adversity, a group of dedicated Rohingya youth leaders took the initiative to bring change to their community. Syedul Mostafa, a committed Rohingya youth leader from northern Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, is among those leading the charge. He was a matriculation student in Myanmar, but due to the military crackdown on the Rohingya minority in 2016, he could not complete his education. Forced to flee, he arrived in Bangladesh as a refugee, where he began his journey of advocacy and community leadership.
Building Leadership and Advocacy in the Refugee Camp
Upon arriving in Bangladesh, Syedul’s family settled in a refugee camp, but he initially stayed in Chittagong to pursue his studies. In 2018, he returned to the camp and joined the Community Outreach Members (COMs) program, an initiative led by TAI Technical Assistance Inc. and funded by UNHCR. Through this program, he developed skills in public speaking, community engagement, and leadership. Encouraged by friends and colleagues, he launched a YouTube channel and Facebook page, “Syedul Mostafa Motivation”, making him one of the first Rohingya content creators in the refugee camps.
Since then, he has remained at the forefront of community development, later joining the health project as a Community Health Worker (CHW) under Gonoshasthaya Kendra, funded by UNHCR. Currently, he serves as a Central Executive Member of the Rohingya Youth Association (RYA) and Health Department Director at RYA.
The Birth of Rohingya Youth Advocacy Network (RYAN)
In 2023, Syedul Mostafa, along with other committed youth leaders like Yasin Arfath, Hla Myint, Ro Maung Shwe, Shabekun Naher, and Ko Ko Naing, established the Rohingya Youth Advocacy Network (RYAN). Their vision was to create a youth-led movement advocating for Rohingya rights and justice. Today, over 700 Rohingya youth volunteers contribute their time and effort to RYAN, working towards meaningful change within their community.
About the Rohingya Youth Advocacy Network (RYAN)
RYAN is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded and operated by Rohingya youth. Their primary mission is to advocate for the rights, dignity, and justice of the Rohingya community.
Their slogan, “Our Hands for All and Towards the Rohingya Community,” reflects their commitment to collaboration and community empowerment while prioritizing the welfare of the Rohingya people.
Our Mission:
- Promote education, vocational training, and cultural preservation.
- Address the historical losses and ongoing genocide against the Rohingya.
- Utilize international law and human rights frameworks to advocate for justice.
- Provide opportunities for Rohingya youth to reach their full potential.
- Prevent further oppression and injustice faced by the community.
Our Aims and Objectives:
- Promoting Peace and Justice – Advocate for peace, justice, and equality for the Rohingya.
- Fighting Discrimination – Challenge systemic discrimination through awareness and policy reforms.
- Seeking Justice – Support legal efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for genocide and human rights violations.
- Creating Awareness – Educate the world about Rohingya history, struggles, and human rights abuses.
- Amplifying Rohingya Voices – Ensure Rohingya narratives are heard on global platforms.
Our Activities:
- Advocating for peace, rights, and justice for the Rohingya community.
- Empowering youth with leadership training and skill development programs.
- Promoting gender equality and opportunities for Rohingya women in education and leadership.
- Organizing awareness campaigns about Rohingya struggles and historical injustices.
- Supporting education and vocational training for Rohingya youth.
- Challenging discrimination and advocating for social inclusion.
Current Activities:
The organization conducts regular training sessions facilitated by expert trainers and university professors. Some key training programs include:
- Leadership & Team Management Training
- Human Rights Advocacy & Multicultural Leadership Training
- Happy Family Training & Child Marriage Prevention Awareness
- Human Trafficking & Domestic Violence Awareness
- Women Empowerment & Gender Inclusion Training
Leadership Board & Departments
The structure of RYAN includes specialized departments:
- Women Empowerment Department
- Youth Engagement & Coordination Department
- Research & Advocacy Department
- Education Department
- Article Writing Department
- Finance Department
Cluster-Based Leadership System
To ensure efficient coordination across camps, RYAN has established a cluster-based leadership structure:
Cluster-Based Coordinator Assignments:
- Cluster 1: Camp 1E, 1W, 2E, 2W (Sayed Alam Skd)
- Cluster 2: Camp 3, 4, 4Ext, 20 (Mohammad Yousuf)
- Cluster 3: Camp 5, 6, 17, 20Ext (Ahesan Ullah)
- Cluster 4: Camp 7, 8E, 8W, 9 (Mohammad Omar)
- Cluster 5: Camp 10, 11, 12, 18 (Mohammad Faisal)
- Cluster 6: Camp 13, 15, 16, 19 (Mohammad Imran)
- Cluster 7: Camp 14, 21, 22, 23 (Niyamot Ullah)
- Cluster 8: Camp 24, 25, 26, 27 (Mv Mohammad Jaber)
Camp-Based Leader Responsibilities:
- Lead and coordinate activities within their respective camps.
- Encourage youth engagement and organize educational programs.
- Maintain communication with Cluster Coordinators.
- Ensure active participation of all members.
- Follow RYAN’s chain of command.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The Rohingya Youth Advocacy Network (RYAN) stands as a symbol of hope, resilience, and leadership in the Rohingya community. With over 700 dedicated youth volunteers, the organization is committed to empowering Rohingya youth, advocating for justice, and striving for a better future.
We welcome partnerships and encourage individuals and organizations to join our movement to bring lasting change to the Rohingya community and beyond.
For more information, contact:
- Email: rohingyayouthadvocacynetwork@gmail.com
- WhatsApp: +8801889779821 | +8801329-881643
