 Details
Name: Youth Consultation on Migration and Development
Website:
http://www.ypwc.org/index.php?page=youth-migration
Categories: Human Rights
Education
Globalization
Description:
Addressing international migration concerns has undoubtedly become a pressing issue in recent times, not only for governments but also for a broad range of society actors in the north and south countries/states. Today more young people are moving across borders. Over the past few decades, political, economic, social and demographic changes in many parts of the world have uprooted many people and stimulated migration to cities within and across countries. The growing volume of trade, faster and cheaper transport, and easier communication have encouraged more young people to migrate within and across national borders.
Many young people continue to migrate with scanty information about their destination; but they take with them the great assets of youth, such as resilience, resourcefulness and perseverance. But precisely because of their age, they face obstacles and risks that test their endurance. The past two decades, especially, have seen a dramatic increase in the trafficking of girls and young women, who are often, lured into prostitution. Young women and girls who are impoverished and uneducated and whom may be members of indigenous, ethnic minorities, rural or refugee groups are most vulnerable to this form of exploitation (James and Atler, 2003).
Additionally, people are most likely to migrate when young for a number of reasons: family needs, friends and family who have already migrated, better educational and employment opportunities, lower costs of moving, and greater earnings, among other things . The demand for international youth migration is steadily increasing due to:
1) rising number of youth in developing countries;
2) larger youth faction in developing countries which has increased unemployment and led to lower overall wages, thereby making the prospect of migrating more attractive; and 3) increased youth migration itself will increase the youth migrant network, drawing more youth migrants .
Unfortunately, youth in many countries are unable to take advantage of the possibilities of migration because many countries, especially developed ones, do not allow young people many legal opportunities to migrate even in the light of heavy demand. Governments of sending countries may be hesitant because of the issue of “brain drain” or loss of skilled and educated youth and adults (50-80% of highly educated citizens from several small countries in Africa and the Caribbean live abroad) . In reality though, most of this group migrates only temporarily, bringing back with them entrepreneurial skills and experience that could greatly enhance the home country’s economy. (Even migrants who do not return can still assist in the development of their home countries. In 2005, remittances made up a majority of financial assistance in developing countries.)
Young people have always constituted a significant proportion of migrant workers. Unfortunately, most migration data is not disaggregated by age (International Labor Organization, 2004b); however, relevant statistics suggest that young people under age 30 today compose the largest group of international migrants (32-39 million). This group is therefore usually the most affected by migration benefits, risks, policies and other aspects of the experience .
Youth migration, in particular, has become the subject of great controversy. On the one hand, there is concern over the apparent ‘brain drain’ in the developing world as well-educated young people leave their home countries, attracted by improved educational and career prospects in the West. On the other hand, remittances reached $223 billion in 2005 – a figure more than twice the level of international aid – and young migrants frequently return to their home countries equipped with skills, qualifications and economic resources.
The Report of the Secretary-General on International Migration and Development (2006) calls for priority to be placed on :
(1) When migrants have rights to social services and their rights as workers are protected, their integration is generally facilitated.
(2) Most vulnerable persons in developing countries are generally women and young people (youth).Special attention is required for these two categories of people because they can seriously be at risk of exploitation or trafficking.
Young people need to be involved in migration and its effect on the development goals of countries and the world at large. They should be part of the discussions about how policies on migration affect the youth of today, and how they could better help to create the needed sustainable development that the world is hoping for.
PROJECT JUSTIFICATION
A UNFPA report postulates that “little is known of the full diversity and complexity of young people’s international migration. Data are extremely limited, because for many years international migrants were presumed to be men of working age. Women and young people were presumed to migrate only as part of family units. Many countries now collect information on women and young people migrating alone, but few make it available in a usable form and fewer still analyze it. Young people remain largely invisible in research, public debates and policy about international migration. Despite their absence in debates about international migration, experts agree that young people between 15 and 30 years of age historically and to this day represent a large share of migrants. It is estimated that in 2005 there were over 191 million international migrants worldwide.”
The consultation will therefore attempt to bridge the existing communication gaps between the youth and migration debates. It is envisaged that the successful implementation of this project will help in enhancing policy formulation on migration and development. Moreover, findings from this consultation will be a useful source of reference and background information for people researching into related areas of study.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The Youth Consultation on Migration and Development initiative has four main goals:
1. To develop an improved understanding of global migration trends and its facets among young people at global, regional and national levels;
2. To encourage, promote and facilitate youth participation in debate and meetings on International Migration and Development;
3. To stimulate new thinking on broader issues of global migration;
4. To get the youth voice well organized and represented with key youth statements at the 2008 Global Forum on Migration and Development in the Philippines.
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Fwd: UNICEF Rural Voices of... |
MICHAEL |
Mar 17th, 2009 - 15:16:45 |
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Rapport sur la Consultation... |
MICHAEL |
Feb 10th, 2009 - 05:21:25 |
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Youth Consultation on... |
MICHAEL |
Jan 28th, 2009 - 06:22:27 |
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[chat_reminder] Youth... |
MICHAEL |
Dec 16th, 2008 - 15:19:04 |
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TakingITGlobal Live Chat on... |
MICHAEL |
Dec 11th, 2008 - 11:16:53 |
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Grant Opportunity for the... |
MICHAEL |
Nov 13th, 2008 - 04:15:21 |
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Fw: Survey Invitation:... |
MICHAEL |
Oct 20th, 2008 - 16:31:23 |
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Summary statement week 4 |
"Paulina Nikiel" |
Oct 17th, 2008 - 17:07:59 |
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Re: [migration] Daily... |
INALEGWU FRANK UJI |
Oct 16th, 2008 - 06:11:16 |
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summary statement week 3 |
laurene |
Oct 15th, 2008 - 05:49:23 |
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Friendly reminder WEEK 4 |
Paulina Nikiel |
Oct 8th, 2008 - 16:28:58 |
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Friendly reminder WEEK 4 |
Paulina Nikiel |
Oct 8th, 2008 - 16:06:48 |
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WEEK FOUR |
angelviny |
Oct 8th, 2008 - 13:19:22 |
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Summary Statements of Week 2 |
MICHAEL |
Oct 8th, 2008 - 10:58:46 |
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Fwd: [migration] Fwd: WEEK... |
MICHAEL |
Oct 8th, 2008 - 07:24:28 |
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Week 4 |
Paulina Nikiel |
Oct 5th, 2008 - 18:23:11 |
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Friendly reminder: week 3 |
laurene |
Oct 2nd, 2008 - 06:24:37 |
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Fwd: WEEK 3 RESPONSE... |
MICHAEL |
Oct 1st, 2008 - 17:09:38 |
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response to week 3... |
laurene |
Sep 30th, 2008 - 06:21:43 |
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My week 2 |
abdul-mumin |
Sep 30th, 2008 - 00:41:55 |
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WEEK 3 |
angelviny |
Sep 29th, 2008 - 21:57:01 |
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Week 3_Overview of the... |
Ausrine |
Sep 29th, 2008 - 16:17:20 |
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Fwd: [migration] Friendly... |
MICHAEL |
Sep 29th, 2008 - 14:28:10 |
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Fwd: Week 2 Consultation |
MICHAEL |
Sep 29th, 2008 - 06:17:33 |
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Résumé de la Discussion -... |
Céline Lemmel |
Sep 29th, 2008 - 05:45:31 |
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| 44 Messages |
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Youth Consultation on Migration and Development
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