Introduction:

International migration has become a “hot topic” in recent years, with multiple international conferences and numerous civil society groups dedicated to making migration more secure, reasonable, and development-friendly.  Drawing at once on new research and hundreds of years of migrants’ accumulated experiences, policy makers have realized what migrants themselves have always known: that migration can promote personal and professional development through financial, skills, and knowledge transfers between home and host countries, whether developed or developing. 

Despite all this attention, however, youth migration remains poorly understood. One UNFPA report laments that “little is known of the full diversity and complexity of young people’s international migration... Young people remain largely invisible in research, public debates and policy about international migration.”[1] The report highlights two specific issues: one, there is very little data on young migrants' experiences. Second, and partially as a result, young migrants often lack ways to contribute to global debates about the policies that affect them.

It is clear that young people are particularly likely to migrate; out of an estimated 191 million international migrants globally in 2006, young people between 15 and 30 years of age comprised “a large share”[2] – between 31 and 39 million migrants. Seeking better educational and employment opportunities and often relying on networks of migrant friends and family, youth face more pressure to migrate than other demographic groups.[3] Rising numbers of youth in developing countries have led to high unemployment rates and lower wages. At the same time, aging populations in developed countries require more young labor, creating apparent job opportunities for youth who have access to the information. Youth may keep in contact with friends and relatives who are part of existing migrant networks more easily through expanding access to information and communication technologies, heightening their own desire to migrate.[4]

Aside from sheer numbers, youth migration has become the subject of great controversy regarding the migration-development nexus. 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. Between 50 and 80% of highly educated citizens from several small countries in Africa and the Caribbean live abroad.[5] On the other hand, remittances reached $223 billion USD in 2005 – a figure more than twice the level of international aid – and young migrants frequently return to their home countries equipped with the skills, qualifications, economic resources, and desire to start new enterprises.

The 2009 Online Youth Consultation on Migration and Development sought to collect youth perspectives on these issues through a method that youth increasingly use to communicate and organize: the internet. With contributors from four continents, this is what youth had to say about youth and migration.

Young migrants contribute economically, socially and culturally to home and host countries

Youth listed the benefits migration had for themselves and their communities, including those which contributed directly to the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals, a list of eight human development targets set for 2015 and a major focus of this year’s Global Forum on Migration and Development. Aside from financial contributions of cash or goods sent home, migrants may also contribute new ideas to both their home and host countries, leading to innovation and growth.

[Migrants] can contribute both financially, socially and can also improve upon the standard of living of their family and community. They can create business that go a long way to solve a need like that of communication e.g. cyber cafes… We can also try to ensure that these benefits are evenly distributed amongst the people of the community.  – Jude Thaddeus, 21, Cameroon

[One benefit is the] sharing of ideas which make the "country migrated to" more progressive as well as those that can be applied to the migrant's own country would be a worthy contribution. - Roli  Mahajan, 23, India

Youth remain engaged with home countries through ICTs

All the youth respondents wrote that they kept in touch with friends and family members in host countries, using tools such as letters, email, and phone contact. Youth often talked about their home countries with family members, discussing opportunities for development as well as more day-to-day affairs.

Yes, I feel concerned about development debates about my country of origin. But I use to say that development will come through practical actions and not only in talking. I realized that debates will highlight the step to take but both... migrants and non-migrants have responsibility to develop the country of origin - Casey Gbenga Adeleye, 30, Nigeria

Migrants should never forget about their home country and they should try as much as possible to indulge in developmental debates in their country of origin as they are strategic partners in development. The government of most African countries (especially) rely on their migrant to help them in development... they travel and acquire skills that are essential for development – Jude Thaddeus, 21, Cameroon

Circular migration is difficult

Youth had mixed ideas about the benefits of circular migration. Many youths appeared to equate circular migration with short-term migration. Some believed it would not be difficult to thrive in a new place, but others expected that the transition from one country to another would be emotionally and economically difficult.

Experience as a tourist makes me believe I would learn how to speak slang language, which may get you comfortable to establish good relationships with natives from host countries. - Maria Fernanda, 23, Mexico

As a migrant, a form of short-term migration would affect my integration in my host country by: (a) not allowing me to learn my host culture or language; (b) not allowing me to offer my skills as a migrant worker; (c) not allowing me to adopt an integrative approach in me would be community, school, or some other social institution, etc. - Alfred C. Kargbo, 29, Liberia

Recommendations from Youth for promoting youth-sensitive migration policies

Drawing on their experiences and observations, youth respondents had a variety of views on the best way to promote youth-sensitive migration policies, including making travel easier and more regulated, and spreading the word about the difficulties migrants face. Others pointed out that migration policies are one part of broader government operations, and argued that migration policies might be enhanced by enhancing the transparency and fairness of all procedures.

I am not happy to mention this but I think that we will never find a policy that assures protection of vulnerable groups when discrimination and corruption still exist in our nations. - Andrea Arzaba, 20, Mexico

[Youth could contribute by] creating awareness among the masses regarding the difficulties faced by the migrants and how they hinder the achievement of MDGs through traditional media. - Roli Mahajan, 23, India 

… Policies that aim at migration should involve youths in the decision making as they are the most people who migrate… For the government to make the young population feel that they are part of the decision making, they should create an enabling environment for people who want to travel (e.g easy assess to passports, insurance, study leave amongst others). - Jude Thaddeus, 21, Cameroon

I can feel my experiences and perspectives were considered in migration policies by the government if all they policies put in place are being applied not just in paper but in practice.- Arrey Emmanuel, 30, Cameroon

Conclusion

As these responses show, youth have strong feelings about the effects of international migration. They experience both the benefits and drawbacks of living and working in new places, separated from family members but still (often intensely) connected to their home communities.

For more information contact:

Lindsay Bayham, Project Coordinator, Young People We Care (YPWC), This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

[1] UNFPA (2006), Youth Supplement to the State of the World Population Report 2007: Growing up urban. Available online at http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2006/english/introduction.html

[2] Ibid.

[3] United Nations (2006), Report of the Secretary-General on international migration and development.

[4] Burrell J and Anderson K (2008), `I have great desires to look beyond my world': trajectories of information and communication technology use among Ghanaians living abroad. New Media Society, 10(2003).

[5] NetAid (November 27, 2005). Brain Drain Hurts Poor Countries

(http://www.netaid.org/press/news/page.jsp?itemID=27387571). Press release.

Click here to download full report of the 2009 Youth Consultation