The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs launches its 2013 World Youth Report

Today the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) launches its 2013 World Youth Report on Youth and Migration, a biennial flagship publication.

The European Youth Forum welcomes the publication of the new World Youth Report. The World Youth Report aims to give young people a voice and empower them to contribute to the development of strategies that enable them to become active global citizens.

The United Nations 2013 World Youth Report offers a broad understanding of the situation of young migrants from the perspective of young migrants themselves. It highlights some of the concerns, challenges and successes experienced by young migrants based on their own lives and told in their own voices.

The report focuses largely on the phenomena of international migration, which increasingly has a significant impact on the origin, transit and destination countries and communities. As the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, said: "It is important to emphasise the positive contribution young migrants make to societies of origin, transit and destination – economically and by enriching the social and cultural fabric."

The Forum highlights that the consequences of migration are complex, context-specific and subject to change over time. Nowadays in Europe the migration phenomena are too often simplified, and exploited by more and more populist parties for political ends. This fuels the fears of other and migrants, as was shown with the results of the Swiss referendum on immigration on the 9th of February. Therefore, we support a comprehensive and respectful migration policy that guarantees human rights.

The Youth Forum believes in the free movement of young people and is convinced that mobility of young people is a vital contribution to intercultural understanding both in Europe and internationally. The Youth Forum, along with its members, is currently advocating for systems that would encourage youth mobility from third countries through the EU’s revision of the visa regime for students, volunteers, interns and other groups.

Read more:
The report: www.unworldyouthreport.org
YFJ advocacy on free movement for young people: www.youthforum.org/claims/free-movement-for-young-people/
Policy paper on Youth and Migration
Reaction document to Visa Directive Revision