In 2006, the Swedish Red Cross youth commited itself to working for young refugees and their rights in society. They want to welcome young people who have fled from their countries in a more dignified way. They want them to feel that someone cares about them in their waiting for a residence permit.

Every week young people, active in the Red Cross, pay visits to temporary homes of young refugees. They help with their homework, play games, practise Swedish and simply hang out with them. During these meetings, the volunteers also conduct interviews with the purpose of providing a voice to young refugees’ opinions on refugee issues. Young people who seek asylum are a very important part of Swedish society. Through the activities of Red Cross youth, they try to help them to feel this. In 2006, new activity called “Youth on the run” was started . Through role-plays, the participants find themselves in different situations that young refugees are forced to go through. They get into trouble at the border, meet deceitful human traffickers, and end up in complicated asylum processes. Living these experiences increases the participants’ understanding and creates compassion. The dialogues at the end of the day are filled with insight.