Balqiis Insights convened the eighth session of its 2026 Youth Dialogue Series under the theme “Displacement, Unemployment and Youth: How Can Somalia Prevent a Generation from Being Left Behind?” The dialogue examined the pressures facing Somalia’s young population as displacement, limited job creation and economic insecurity increasingly shape their prospects for education, work and long-term stability.

The session featured Yasmin Dini, whose discussion focused on the economic consequences of displacement for young people. Particular attention was given to disrupted education and livelihoods, reduced access to networks and resources, and the difficulties displaced youth encounter when trying to establish themselves in unfamiliar labour markets.

Participants also reflected on whether current approaches to youth skills development are sufficiently connected to the realities of Somalia’s economy. The conversation considered the role of employers, entrepreneurship and private-sector growth, while highlighting the need to create clearer pathways between training and actual employment.

The discussion underscored a broader concern for Somalia’s development: whether the country can translate its large youth population into an economic asset while ensuring that displacement does not deepen exclusion. Through the Youth Dialogue Series, Balqiis Insights continues to bring young people into conversations on national policy and development, creating space for perspectives that can inform a more inclusive and resilient future for Somalia.