Irregular Migration Among Young People

The question that comes to mind is what are the driving forces behind migration? And how can both the countries of origin and host countries form partnerships to save the lives that are lost through migration?
     —Michael Boampong, Ghana

Today a lot of young people are migrating across borders. Whereas some have migrated through legal means, others have done so in a clandestine manner. Everyday images are portrayed of the harsh realities confronting thousands of youths of African descent, making attempts to find the so-called greener pastures of Western countries, particularly in Europe and America.

Over land and across the sea, they make tortuous journeys which frequently result in tragedy. Many of them either lose their lives or end up in jails or detention camps before facing the shame of deportation back to their countries. There is hardly a group comparable in friendlessness to illegal immigrants. Nor could there be a community with more recorded cases of wanton abuse, trauma, humiliation, and anguish of physical and psychological defeat.

The question that comes to mind is what are the driving forces behind migration? And how can both the countries of origin and host countries form partnerships to save the lives that are lost through migration?

A recent study by a team of young people from Young People We Care, and also our recent Youth Consultation on Migration and Development (pdf) resulted in some interesting comments from youth.

Overall, they recommended that governments find ways to encourage young people to stay home and engage themselves in positive activities that can contribute to development of their country.

To do so will require:

• National policies that entail programmes to help young people develop capacity
• The creation of well-paying jobs and good working conditions for young people 

Addressing these voices of young would-be migrants and migrants with some strategic interventions could help reduce the high trend of illegal migration of young people trying to reach Europe through the high-seas and the Sahara Desert.

Still, youth migration should not be seen as purely negative. A positive aspect of youth migration is that young people are exposed to how things are done politically and socially in other countries; allowing them to see that things can be done in a different way helps them contribute to development upon their return to their country.

It is thus important to share ideas about how to promote the return of young migrants to their countries, to help create positive development and change.

I have written more on these issues, which you can find on the links in the Learn More box.

Additionally, I managed a joint initiative undertaken by YPWC with support from UNICEF Voices of Youth, Global Youth Action Network, Migrants Rights International and TakingITGlobal for the creation and publication of youth statements for the Global Forum on Migration and Development in the Philippines.

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