Growing Up Across Borders: Experiences of Young People in Forced Migration

Introduction

Since 2015, over 5 million people have arrived, or tried to arrive in the European Union seeking refuge. Other refugee-receiving countries are faced with similar situations. Many of these refugees are young people.

Research Gap

But whilst much has been written about the experiences of adult refugees and, to a lesser extent, about unaccompanied minors, there is very little research on the experiences of young refugees who are not (or are not recognized as) “unaccompanied.”

Impact on Pathways to Adulthood

Specifically, there is a lack of understanding of how these experiences impact their pathways to adulthood in or across borders. This, in turn, leads to an absence of effective policies to protect young people and to ensure their access to services which are essential to their well-being – both as young people and for their future adult lives.

Project Aim

The project aims to provide timely new research focusing on various aspects of the experience of these young people growing up in a situation of forced migration. The goal is to contribute research both on youth and on migration/mobility.

Recommendations

In doing so, it will also make recommendations on how to better support the rights, agency, and resilience of these young people.

Research Methodology

The research will be carried out in a range of countries in Europe (France, Greece, UK) and outside (Canada, South Africa) to analyze the impacts of different social, legal, and political contexts.

Innovative Approaches

The development of innovative methodologies will include:

1. Combining traditional qualitative methods with social media research and digital communication tools.
2. Emphasizing participatory research methods to enhance the participation and self-expression of young refugees.

This approach will allow them to “narrate” their lives and experiences.

Theoretical Framework

A feminist intersectional approach will be employed to avoid essentializing young people as “vulnerable.” It will understand age as interacting with other social categorizations such as gender or race, to determine individuals' risks, vulnerabilities, but also possibilities for agency and resilience.