Who We Are

The Circle of Young Humanitarians

The Circle of Young Humanitarians (CYH) is a politically neutral non-profit association based in Zurich that was established by students and young professionals in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Spring 2021.

Over 70 members across Switzerland are devoting their efforts to the CYH next to their studies or full-time jobs on a voluntary basis.

Find out more about our Team

Our Vision & Mission

Our vision is to contribute to a more humane world. We aim to create cultural change where our shared humanity is prioritised and diversity of views are widespread. This will shape our future leaders, institutions, and systems. The CYH aspires to become a global youth-led humanitarian movement.

Our mission is to empower the next generation by building a bridge between humanitarian worlds and the next generation by raising awareness, creating a space for dialogue and understanding, and fostering a sense of agency to address global humanitarian challenges.​

What We Do

To bridge the humanitarian world to the next generation in ways that resonate with young people's values, we organize a series of events and initiatives that follow a two-fold approach of giving and receiving. This fosters a dynamic environment for the next generation and the humanitarian world to collaborate in innovative ways.

Our work is based on the three pillars: Educate, Exchange, Engage.

Check out our various CYH Initiatives:

Listen in on humanitarian conversations through the CYH podcast!

Get to know our many humanitarian in-person events!

Participate in our biggest event of the year - the CYH Summit!

Do the inner work with the help of the CYH Humanitarian Wayfinder!

  • When Kay von Mérey completed her traineeship at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 2020, she noticed that most young people in Switzerland were disconnected from the importance of the work and mission of humanitarian organizations.

    This realization inspired her to create a space where young people could get closer to the humanitarian world. After sharing her idea with her friends and eventual co-founders, Jessica Eberhart and Leonie Basler, the trio further developed the concept and worked together towards bringing their visionary initiative to life - the Circle of Young Humanitarians (CYH).

  • The Circle of Young Humanitarian is proud to collaborate with the ICRC to build a bridge between the humanitarian world and the next generation.