Blog: Youth migration in the 21st century — education and social inclusion as key pillars for successful integration

Migration is as old as history. Wars, revolutions, persecutions, deportations, economic conditions and many other aspects have defined the dynamics of migration for centuries. The reasons for migration haven’t changed in the 21^st century. People still strive for a better future and attempt to escape wars and conflicts, from the impacts of environmental change. However, when handling migration challenges, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders tend to neglect the importance of young people in such phenomena. This reflection aims to shed light on educational and social inclusion as fundamentals for the successful integration of any young migrant.

Educational aspect

The education of young people should be considered the most important issue, as an investment in the future. The European Convention on Human Rights says that no person shall be denied the right to education. Nevertheless, we need to be aware of a number of challenges in the education of young migrants. Their age, their backgrounds, their religious convictions, their vision of the future – all these aspects should be taken into account while ensuring the right to education for young people across the EU and beyond its borders.

Receiving high-quality education remains a problem for young migrants throughout the EU. Yet access to equal opportunities in vocational, secondary and higher education would lead to an increase in social integration and job market competitiveness. Fortunately, the EU recognises the importance and benefits of providing equal educational opportunities for young migrants. And equally significantly, the EU offers access to education in the countries of the Eastern and Southern Neighborhoods, making a number of educational opportunities available for citizens of non-EU states.

As part of the shared competencies with its Member States, the EU funds and facilitates a number of initiatives aiming to ensure that young migrants are provided with access to education and training. Such initiatives involve fostering dialogue between the Member States to exchange good practices, co-funding the Sirius Network on migrant education, providing online linguistic support for young migrants, and offering digital learning tools for free. Do not forget, the EU also supports young people from all over the world to study in European universities for an exchange semester, or for a full Master’s programme through Erasmus+. Young people can also participate in volunteering or short-term youth exchange projects on topics related to migration awareness.

Social inclusion

Social inclusion is another big challenge that young migrants face, which includes barriers to their full participation in political, economic and social life. This can be expressed in both legal terms and in discriminatory attitudes by the host community. Equality and non-discriminatory treatment are one of fundamental principles of the rule of law, making them part of the EU’s core values. The EU has a number of legal tools and holds intergovernmental and inter-sector dialogues to ensure the social inclusion of migrants and to protect the rule of law. However, societal attitudes and stereotypes remain a big challenge on the road to social inclusion.

The EU’s 2021-27 Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion aims to involve national governments, civil society organisations, and migrant and local communities to tackle the multi-layered issue of migrant exclusion. One of the main tools for promoting equal social inclusion is through school education from a young age, as well as by bringing young people together through local and international projects funded by Erasmus+, various other EU programmes and national governments.

The impact of NGOs and civil society should not be underestimated, as these representatives know the situation on the ground and are ready to contribute to policy design with their own vision of the situation. Civil society actors across the EU Member States are active in trying to help their national governments to overcome and handle the integration challenges facing young people.

Conclusions

 ‘I know that I know nothing.’ With this phrase attributed to the Greek philosopher Socrates, we would like to highlight once again that education is a lifelong process. Therefore, making education available for young people, whether formal or non-formal, should be a priority for any national government that is aware of the future of its people.

The same concerns social inclusion. It is not a matter of privilege, but a matter of the need to have opportunities and facilities for successful integration within new communities, to be able to communicate in the same language and have sets of fundamental rights to which every person is entitled. Young people do not need the attention of politicians and policymakers in the future. Actions are needed now.