To elaborate further on discussions and recommendations regarding youth and migration held at the first session of the 2019 IDM, which took place in New York on 28 February, this second session emphasized unlocking the potential of youth and enabling them to respond to the challenges and opportunities of migration.

This session engaged young actors and experts in a dialogue with policy and decision-makers and relevant international, regional and national actors, as well as with businesses, scholars and diaspora groups to exchange on the challenges young migrants encounter, and how to boost their potential while overcoming these challenges through partnerships. The session explored the potential of diaspora communities to engage and uplift young people on the move and the resources available to migrants and further actions that must be taken to ensure their successful integration, particularly looking at psychological challenges and well-being. In addition, the workshop analyzed the multi-faceted role of technology in the lives of migrant youth, environmental challenges, and the future of work.

Please note that the recording of the sessions held during the two-day event is available on IOM Youtube Channel 

 

Agenda

 

October 15th

10:00 – 11:00 – Opening Session

  • Mr. António Vitorino, Director General, IOM (Video) (Remarks)
  • H.E. Ms. Ghada Waly, Minister of Social Solidarity, Egypt (Video)
  • Mr. Christian Leffler, Deputy Secretary-General for Economic and Global Issues at European External Action Service, EU (Video)
  • H.E. Mr. Ahmet Erdem, Deputy Minister of Family, Labour and Social Services of Turkey (Video)

11:00 – 13:00Panel 1: Youth migration and technology: enabling opportunity over risk

Technological development has been reshaping our lives, economies and social interactions, as well as influencing every aspect of migration. Technology shapes national and international migration policies, serves as a tool for governing and monitoring migration, and promotes dignified and safe migration by raising awareness of the dangers and risks. On the other side, technology is too often a method of facilitating criminal activities that threaten migrants’ and refugees’ safety and poses challenges in terms of privacy and data protection. This session will explore the dual impact of technology on migration and examine how to amplify the opportunities while minimizing the risks. It will also analyze technology’s relationship to development and the achievement of the migration-related goals and targets. The session will contribute to the discussion on SDGs 9.5 (Upgrade technological capabilities in all countries) and 9c (Increase access to information and communications technology).

The following questions are proposed to guide the discussion in this panel:

  • What is the role of increased digital inclusion, such as social media, in changing the perception of migration? What are the positive and negative aspects?
  • Migration information management systems rely increasingly on digital and biometric technologies, which can facilitate integration, but also reinforce control. How can blockchain and biometric technologies be better used to promote migrants’ rights and regular migration pathways? What are the challenges these technologies pose to data protection and human rights?
  • What measures can be taken internationally to combat misinformation and dishonest public information campaigns on the internet?  How can technology be used to counteract these activities?

Speakers:

  • H.E. Ms. Natalia Alvarez Rojas, Deputy Minister for Labour and Social Security of the Social Area, Costa Rica
  • Mr. Houlin Zhao, Secretary-General, ITU
  • Ms. Sara Grubanov-Boskovic, Scientific Project Officer, Demography, Migration and Governance Unit in the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC)
  • Mr. Carlo Rasmus Schwarz, PhD student, University of Warwick
  • Mr. Nadir Nahdi, Producer and Founder, BENI 

13:00-15:00 – Break

13:30 – 14:30

High Level Event on African Youth and Sustainable Development [1]

15:00 – 16:00Migrant’s Voice Session

Speakers:

  • Mr. Khaled Karri, Entrepreneur
  • Ms. Thana Faroq, Documentary photographer

16:00 – 18:00Panel 2: Boosting young people’s potential for development through diaspora engagement

Diaspora/transnational groups can play an important role in the development of their countries of origin, transit and destination. Diaspora contributes to the transfer of technology and knowledge in different ways, including through remittances which can become investments in their home countries, the physical return to their home countries, and diaspora/transnationalism communities’ networks. This could help youth overall improve their access to learning and innovation, which depends on financial education, pools of skilled people, and strong institutions as well as access to finance. This session will discuss how the diaspora organizations can empower communities with a focus on youth empowerment and on bridging the need gap between countries of origin and destination, particularly targeting youth’s contributions to the achievements of the SDGs  9.5 (Enhance scientific research and upgrade technological capabilities in all countries), 10 (reduced inequalities) and 17 (Strengthen global partnerships for sustainable development).

The following questions are proposed to guide the discussion in this panel:

  • Diaspora groups gain skills, experience and contacts in their destination countries and transfer them back to their origin countries through business and entrepreneurship and boosting emerging industries. Which concrete examples of young diaspora making such contributions can be identified?
  • How can governments engage diaspora to empower and mentor youth in their home countries? Who should be targeted in these interventions?
  • How can the international community, particularly countries of origin and destination, build global skills partnerships to better support youth diaspora to explore their potential and make sure their skills are transferable?

Speakers:

  • Mr. Max Trejo Cervantes, Secretary General, International Youth Organization for Iberoamerica
  • Ms. Pascale Dahrouj, Senior Adviser, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of Lebanon
  • Ms. Harivola Mirana Ravokatrasolofo, Attaché, Permanent Mission of Madagascar in Geneva
  • Mr. Dejan Bojanic, Chief Executive Officer, Save the Children Youth Sweden
  • Mr. Tashi Lama, Entrepreneur, Co-Founder, Thank God its Fair Wear (TGIFW)
  • Ms. Hariniaina Ranjoro, Youth Volunteer from the Malagasy Diaspora

October 16th

10:00 – 11:00Case-Study

Challenging Traditional Norms Around Youth Migration

The session will present the first-ever African Migration Report (AMR) which interrogates the distortions that characterize African migration, mostly portrayed as irregular mass exodus by African youths from the continent to other parts of the world through the Mediterranean and other illegal channels. The session will also present the AU Youth Division project to reach out to one million African Youth by 2021 through Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Engagement (4E) with a view to promote structured mechanisms for youth participation in development at national, regional and global level. To support this initiative, IOM-AUC jointly ran a competition for African youth to design the cover for the AMR, visually and artistically articulating a more positive migration future for Africa. The best AMR cover design will be announced, and the winner will have an opportunity to share their idea behind the winning design with youth from across the globe.  

Speakers:

  • Ms. Nanjala Nyabola, Co-editor of the African Migration Report
  • Ms. Walusungu Ngulube, African Union Youth Volunteer Corps alumna, young migrant professional/expatriate
  • Ms. Basma Serag, Steering Committee Member, World Youth Forum (WYF), Egypt
  • Mr. Mickaia Rabibisoa Andrianaivonira, African Migration Report Cover Contest Winner

11:00 – 13:00Panel 3: Youth as agents of integration and social cohesion

Young people, especially young migrants, can drive significant social and economic progress as agents of social cohesion and inclusion. Integration is a two-way process of mutual adaptation and shared responsibilities of migrants and destination communities. Successful integration allows young migrants to fully contribute and enrich the diversity and inclusiveness of the societies they live in. Before they can contribute, however, youth must have access to education, cultural integration – including language, practices and beliefs – and job skills training. This session will discuss best practices and initiatives promoted by youth and their partners to promote these three aspects of integration and social inclusion. It will also present some of the challenges faced in this process and put forward recommendations for relevant actors. The discussion will contribute to the discussion on SDGs 4 (Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all), 10 (Reduce inequalities within and among the countries), and 16 (Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development).

The following questions are proposed to guide the discussion in this panel:

  • Integration of young migrants primarily takes place at the local level. How can we support the integration of young people in local settings and improve the role of local authorities in creating spaces of social cohesion?
  •  How can youth, as not only beneficiaries, but active agents work with authorities to create integration policies that are responsive to their needs?
  • Schools are places of first integration for young migrants and can act as a bridge between migrant and local youth by promoting dialogue, mutual understanding, and cohesion. What strategies exist to build on this potential and how could these be expanded?

Speakers:

  • Mr. Mohamed Ould Abdi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Employment, Youth and Sports, Mauritania
  • Ms. Alessia Falorni, Mentor and member of the TandEM student committee, University of Pisa, Italy
  • Ms. Rola Isaa, Former mentee and current mentor for TandEM, University La Sapienza, Italy
  • Mr. Phungula, Advisor, Consumer Protection Services

13:00-15:00 – Break

15:00 – 16:00Panel 4: Enabling youth to overcome environmental challenges

Youth faces increasing challenges from environmental degradation and climate change which drive human displacement and intensify other socio-economic drivers of migration, such as rural poverty and food insecurity. Youth and their families are sometimes forced to seek opportunities elsewhere when climate change diminishes resources and staying at home becomes unsustainable. In addition, youth are engaging less with the agricultural sector even though opportunities abound. This session will discuss the unique obstacles faced by young migrants from regions facing more immediate consequences of climate change. It will present diverse strategies youth can employ to adapt to the difficulties of climate change, work toward innovative solutions that benefit their communities, and engage with the agricultural sector. This session will contribute to the discussion on SDGs 2.4 (Implement resilient agricultural practices and strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change) and 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts).

The following questions are proposed to guide the discussion in this panel:

  • What are the needs and challenges of youth on the move because of climate change? What strategies are there to build their resilience and adaptation through skills development, innovation and technology transfer? What role can youth play, not only as beneficiaries, but as active agents in these strategies?
  • Agriculture is perceived as a “declining” sector for youth. How can governments and partners support adaptation and innovation of agriculture to the mindsets and ambitions of the younger generation?
  • How can the impacts of climate change on youth and migration be effectively communicated to governments and societies to inspire change at a local, national, and international level?

Speakers:

  • Ms. Giulia Manccini Pinheiro, Regional Focal Point of the UN Major Group for Children and Youth
  • Ms. Nina Birkeland, Adviser, Disaster Displacement and Climate Change, Norwegian refugee Council (NRC)
  • Mr. Ibrahima Faye, CEO and Founder, Senagriculture
  • Ms. Zakiyyah Ali, Student, University of South Pacific (USP), Fiji

16:00 – 17:00Panel 5: Building the adaptation and resilience of young people on the move

Young migrants face challenges of migration and displacement at a crucial time of their emotional, cognitive, physical and social development. The stressors they are exposed to can lead to psychological problems and undermine their overall well-being. There is a lack of access to certain rights and services and missing legal instruments designed to protect youth over 18 and accompany their transition to adulthood. This session will discuss policies and strategies to respond to these challenges with a focus on initiatives targeted at building young people’s adaptation and resilience and unleashing their potential to advance their development in their communities. This session will contribute to the discussion on SDGs 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages) and 11 (Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable).

The following questions are proposed to guide the discussion in this panel:

  • How can we create an accurate narrative of the well-being and psychosocial challenges faced by young migrants? How can we access and interpret data?
  • What strategies are in place to assist and protect young migrants from stressors that undermine their psychological wellbeing during the migration process?
  • Do we have a clear understanding of the laws and regulations, and the lack thereof, regarding the rights of migrants transitioning to adulthood? What mechanisms have been developed to fill this protection gap?

Speakers:

  • Mr. Steve McGlynn, Minister Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Australia in Geneva
  • Ms. Nadia Khouri, Deputy Director, Tahaddi Lebanon
  • Ms. Ourania Kirka, Psychologist, Hestia Hellas, Greece

17:00 – 17:50Panel 6: Youth migration and future of work

This final session will expand on discussions held in the previous panels with a focus on how youth will integrate and contribute to the future of globalization as empowered actors and future employees. Participants will be invited to reflect on the role of youth and discuss potential solutions to the challenges and complexities of globalization. Facing changing demand and structure of a more globalized labor market, youth need to develop diverse and recognized skills and knowledge before joining the workforce. The exchange will touch upon technological changes and the future of work in the context of automatization and artificial intelligence processes. Youth’s role in increasing mobility will be the context of the discussion. This session will also elaborate on the implications of public order, data protection, and financial factors. The discussion will contribute to the discussion on SDGs 8 (Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all) and 9 (Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation).

The following questions are proposed to guide the discussion in this panel:

  • What is the role of youth mobility in the changing nature of work relations, digitalization, integration and globalization of the labour market? How will the future of work impact youth and their mobility?
  • How can labour mobility respond to the opportunities and provide solutions to the challenges created by social change – demographic changes, globalization, artificial intelligence, automatization and digitalization, etc.?
  • What tools could be used primarily by the governments but also by other stakeholders, such as business and CSOs, for instance in the area of skills development and recognition, facilitated mobility and effective job matching, bilateral and multilateral cooperation on mobility, etc. to uncover youth potential and labour mobility, and contribute to the development of origin and destination communities in the context of the developing nature of work?

Speakers:

  • Ms. Joanna Napierala, Policy Analyst, Joint Research Centre European Commission
  • Ms. Maria Prieto, Specialist, Future of Work, ILO 

17:50 – 18:00 – Closing Remarks (Video)

[1] Organized by the Permanent Mission of Egypt

Event documents and photos