Involving youth directly affected by migration as stakeholders in the policymaking process can have a large impact on the effectiveness of youth-related migration policies. Three types of participation can be identified: consultative, collaborative, and youth-led. Consultative youth participation is initiated and managed by qualified professionals but might involve surveys or engagement of migrant youth in research or participation in forums on youth and migration. Collaborative participation is also adult initiated but gives youth the opportunity to actively engage in the decision-making process at some or all stages. Youth-led participation gives youth significant control over the policy space, to initiate proposals and activities, and to organize themselves (Department for International Development [DFID], 2010).
Allowing young migrants to participate in the policy development process is also beneficial as it provides them with life skills, contributing to their self-esteem, social inclusion, sense of responsibility and understanding of decision-making processes. In countries of destination, participation can make young migrants feel more valued and accepted by society, while in origin countries, participation can make returned migrants or potential migrants reintegrate into society, find a voice and feel more appreciated. Participation can thus be a vital instrument in promoting social cohesion and undermining negative or false perceptions of migration (see Policy consultations).
Youth networks and development
At the core of youth networks is the idea of meaningful, self-organized youth engagement. Youth are referred to as the “torchbearers” of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which calls for the development and activation of sound, evidence-based youth policies and actions (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs [UN DESA], 2018). Youth networks can bring about change by, for example, information sharing and participating in targeted engagement opportunities and decision-making. This is for the benefit of children, youth, adults, and programmes. These networks are uniquely positioned to adapt development policies and programmes to national and local contexts based on youths’ lived experiences. These networks often provide youth with individual development opportunities through skills and knowledge training. They contribute to wider development through their social impact and through youth participating in activities and projects in their communities.
Youth networks have been recognized as important stakeholders, and they have often been at the forefront of advocating for change on social justice issues, such as in the context of the Global Compact for Migration (see #Youth4Migration campaign). However, they often face barriers when it comes to participation (United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth [UNMGCY], 2019). These include the exclusion of youth networks and youth from the decision-making process in governmental platforms at regional, national, and local levels of implementation; insufficient funding that would enable meaningful youth engagement; and the lack of age-disaggregated data to formulate evidence-based policies.