Migration

Although migration has been a longstanding fact of life in Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of children affected by migration, including both children migrating and residing in host communities, is increasing. Even where their needs are considered, too often children’s own perspectives are ignored. However, previous studies show that…

Overview, Globally, the number of children and young people engaged in migration is dramatically increasing. Children and young people move within and between countries in varying circumstances, both voluntarily and involuntarily. A wide range of interlinked factors—including economic, socio-political and environmental factors—influence decisions on how,…,   Goal, Despite significant data on migration in general, little exists on the movement of children and young people specifically. Child-sensitive research is essential, not only to understand how the international community can better protect the rights and well-being of children on the move, but also to learn about migration journeys from children…,   Approach, UNICEF Innocenti builds the evidence base on effective strategies to protect the rights of children and young people who migrate or are displaced through mixed methods research. The work is structured across three pillars: Understanding the drivers, decision making and experiences of children on the move Protection and well-being during transit…, Related reports, Related news and stories

A adolescent working at a sewing machine Around the world, there is a rise in recognition of the power and importance of refugee-led organisations (RLOs). Rarely featured in discussions about these however, is the prominent role of refugee youth-led organisations, commonly known as RYLOs. Supporting age diversity within the leadership of…

Our climate is changing. Temperatures are rising and devastating extremes of weather are becoming ever more common. The world has proved slow to respond, with mitigation plans falling far short of what is needed to preserve the planet. In the words of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres: “The state of the planet is broken”. We are…, Guiding Principles and climate mobility symposium, In order to shine a light on the plight of children on the move and to better understand how children and young people are affected by climate-related migration and displacement, UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration hosted a virtual symposium. Over two days in 2020, experts, policy makers and young people from around the world…, Background papers

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of local communities as both providers of assistance and partners of established aid actors, building on existing localisation efforts in the humanitarian sector. This is particularly true of organisations and initiatives started and led by refugees themselves, known as refugee-led organisations (…

Every child has the right to be safe from harm. Yet, millions of children around the world experience violence, exploitation and abuse in their homes, schools and communities – in the places where they should be most protected. Children uprooted by emergencies such as conflict and disaster are among the most vulnerable. Separated from their…, Related projects, Related reports, Related news, ideas and articles

The experience children and young people who migrated from their homes in Afghanistan – especially those who have been forced to return – can be described as a spiral of harm and neglect. For many, poverty and a desire to help their families drives them from their homes. Far too often, the journey exposes them to harm and economic exploitation.…

As global displacement rises, there is a pressing need to understand and respond to the migration experiences of children. This article provides key insights from a comprehensive review of Innocenti’s research on migration and displacement over the last 30 years. It provides a foundation upon which Innocenti’s current evidence strategy on child…,   Context, Today over  37 million children are displaced worldwide  – the highest number ever recorded. These figures are consistent with the vast scale of global displacement, with over  100 million people in the world displaced  due to war and conflict, extreme weather events, and other crises. Displacement has a compounding negative effect on the ability…,   What have we learned?   , 1. The impacts of migration on child well-being are complex, varied, and contextual   Migration is often viewed through simplistic and polarised lenses that position it as a ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ experience, especially when discussing child migrants. However, the impacts and outcomes of migration on children are complex, varied, and contextual…,   Next steps     , As part of these key research areas, Innocenti is committed to producing research that uses a child- and family-focused lens to offer critical and holistic insights into the experiences and impacts of migration for children and their families.   Recent and forthcoming publications from UNICEF Innocenti are building key insights around several key…

There is currently no global policy framework for addressing the needs and rights of children moving in the context of climate change. Where child-related migration policies do exist, they do not consider climate and environmental factors, and where climate change policies exist they usually overlook children’s needs. The Guiding Principles have…, In order to make these Guiding Principles as relevant and effective as possible, we invited stakeholders to review a draft version and submit comments by June 10, 2022. (See privacy notice .) Public consultation on the draft is now closed. Feedback received during the consultation period helped refine and strengthen the final Guiding Principles…, Download and share, Post these images on social media to show your support for children on the move in the context of climate change, and encourage your leaders to uphold children's rights regardless of their location or migration status. Guiding Principle 1 Guiding Principle 2 Guiding Principle 3 Guiding Principle 4 Guiding Principle 5 Guiding Principle 6 Guiding…, Guiding Principles for Children on the Move in the Context of Climate Change 2 GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR CHILDREN ON THE MOVE The report was produced by UNICEFs Office of Global Insight and Policy under the leadership of Laurence Christian Chandy (Director) and Jasmina Byrne (Chief of Policy). It was authored by Cristina Coln (UNICEF), Elizabeth…

This series of briefs draws on the findings of multi-country research based on first-hand migration experiences of 1,634 children and young people moving between Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt. The briefs highlight findings that can inform decision makers when designing child-sensitive solutions for children on the move, in line with relevant…

There is a growing awareness that the adverse impacts of climate change increasingly contribute, directly and indirectly, to different forms of mobility that unfold within countries and across borders. While, to date, most studies on climate-related migration have focused on adult populations, emerging evidence indicates that children also become…

This paper considers some of the best practices for addressing legal and policy challenges in governing climate mobility and migration. It briefly discusses the global-scale context before focusing on the Pacific Islands region, where some of the world’s first substantive regional and national policy frameworks are being developed to directly…