Youth and migration

1. Youth and migration

2. 214 million people – three per cent of the world’s population – are now living outside their countries of origin • 33 million of these are under the age of 20 • (UN Populations Division, International Migration, Population Facts No. 2010/6) • "The protection of children is necessary and essential at all stages of the migration process" • (United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants Jorge Bustamante, 2009 report to the Human Rights Council)

3. Young people migrate for a complex mixture of reasons, • whichencompassbothvoluntary and forced migration • Eitheraccompanied (withfamilymembers) or unaccompanied, • and/or to joinfamilymembers

4. Risks and vulnerabilitiesyoung migrants face across the migratorytrails • Beforetheymigrate • unemployment of young people or their parents • economichardship • politicalupheaval and conflict • family violence and child abuse • child brides / marriagebureaus • During migration • inadequate or no documentation • victims of trafficking • variousforms of sexual and • economic exploitation • forced to use smuggling options • and life risking routes of escape

5. On reachingtheir destination • Once a young migrant has arrivedathis or her destination (legally or not), they are oftensubject to the following protection issues: • lack of documentation verifyingtheirage and status • 2. lack of information about theirrights and whocanassistthem • social isolation and lack of familiar networks to support them • fear of the unknown and beingreported to the authorities

6. All four factors have a serious impact on a • youngperson, whichoften • preventthemgainingaccess to • assistance whichensurestheir • Safety, wellbeing and dignity : • Health care • Adequateshelter • Education • Access to employmentwhichissafe, legal and ensures • theirrights are protected

7. IFRC’srole in protectingyoung migrants • IFRC addresseshumanitarianneeds of migrants, • includingchildren and youth, regardless of theirlegalstatus • Focus on vulnerability and needsof young migrants, especially the mostvulnerable; thosewho are unaccompanied, children in detention, disabled and seriouslyill migrants, young girls and victims of trafficking • Auxiliarystatuswith States – our unique relationshipwithGovernmentagencies to ensure protection and the rights of young migrants are upheld • Global network of 186 NS with extensive volunteer network • developingprojects to assistyoung migrants

8. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT • Developing young migrants, for today and • Tomorrow: IFRC key priorities: • Providing technical support to NS to develop • youth policies and opportunities for youth • action (YABC) • Facilitating the global knowledge sharing in the area of youth • development, including respect for diversity and non-discrimination • (Solferino Youth Declaration) • Building partnerships with other youth based organisations such as YWCA/YMCA, Scouts, Guides etc…..

9. Strengthening youth regional national society networks and • cooperation with local organizations working with and for youth, including engagement and participation of young migrants • Sharing tools such as: • - Positive Images (British RC) • - Harmony Day and Labels campaign (Australia RC) • - Diversity, our best option (Spanish RC)

10. The importance of youthinvolvement • Around 50% of IFRC volunteersworldwide are young people • => 50 million younghumanitarians • IFRC recognisesthe value of youth as key agents for social change, bridging the age divide, valuing diversity and ensuring youth have a say in economic development and environmental challenges • IFRC Strategy 2020: reinforces a special focus on young people • across all 4 strategic aims • Youth as positive contributors, innovators, inter-cultural ambassadors and peer-to-peer facilitators • Strengthening intergenerational and intercultural transfer of experience

11. IFRC Youth Initiatives • IFRC is working with young migrants around the world in volunteer programmes: language skills, homework, organising social events and creating network opportunities, … this often involves migrant volunteers helping others. • The focus is on ensuring youth have a strong voice in • improving awareness of the risks migrants • face at all stages of their journey, and • vulnerabilities within host societies • Initiatives like ‘Youth on the Run’ a 24-hr • refugee simulation game for youth. The • game’s purpose is to teach young people • what it is like to flee a war-torn country • and seek asylum somewhere else.

12. Solferino Youth Declaration (2009) • 23-28 June: Gathering of over 500 youngvolunteers • Seminars on varioussubjects, including non-discrimination and respect • for diversity • How to addresstodays ’Solferinos’, i.e. the most pressing humanitarian • challenges • North Africa Youth delegation at Solferino meeting

13. Positive Images • European project led by the British Red Cross • Awareness raising and promoting positive attitudes among • young people (aged 12 to 25) towards vulnerable migrants • How? Positive Images Toolkit => educational resource for • teachers, youth workers and other educators • Lesson plans, games, videos and interactive • activities

14. NorwegianRed Cross Youth • Role-play: «on the run» - be a refugee for 24 hours • Activities for youngasylum-seekers in • reception centres: movies, football, • hike in the mountainsetc • Opportunity for youngasylum-seekers to • join RC Youth and activelyparticipate in • the organisation

15. “LABELS”  CAMPAIGN • Australian RC in cooperationwith MTV • On-air campaign to encourage understanding and fight discrimination • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdvfVqv6usw

16. Thank you