6 March 2013: The UN Focal Point on Youth organized a Google+ Hangout panel discussion on “Youth migration and development: towards sustainable solutions,” ahead of the release of the UN World Youth Report 2013. The event explored the relationship between youth migration and issues such as the post-2015 development agenda, access to social services, remittances and social integration.

The event featured a panel of experts, including: Bela Hovy, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA); Jo Rispoli, International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional Office, East and Southern Africa; Daniel Pettersson, Permanent Mission of Sweden to the UN; Lonneke van Zundert, youth representative; and Dynka Amorim, young immigrant activist.

Several panelists addressed the relationship between migration and the post-2015 agenda. Hovy described ways for youth to engage in post-2015 consultations, including by providing feedback to their representatives and by asking their governments to include youth and migrants in national delegations. Hovy also underscored migration’s impacts on development, such as by increasing access to education or health services when families receive remittances. Pettersson said migration can be a key driver in equitable and sustainable global development. Noting that migration may not become a main goal, he recommended including sub-goals or indicators on migration to support other development goals.

Rispoli said information is key to protection at all stages of migration. He supported engaging and empowering youth migrants by building their knowledge and skills, which he argued would make them more competitive in the labor market, while also adding value to the labor market. Van Zundert highlighted the diversity in migrants’ backgrounds, reasons for migrating and ways of migrating. She urged social inclusion of migrants to support access to services, such as health and protection services, and to employment. Amorim stressed the importance of collaboration between governments and civil society to support migrants, and highlighted social media as a tool to address HIV/AIDS prevention. [YouTube Video of Hangout] [UN World Youth Report Website]