Unfair, unequal and racist migration policies scapegoat migrants – and in particular young migrants – leading to, at best, lengthy, expensive and overly bureaucratic processes and, at worst, increasing human trafficking and abuse. This is according to a publication, launched today, by international youth and education organisation, IFM-SEI. The NGO – representing hundreds of thousands of young people internationally - calls for socialist education which will enable young people to expose the capitalist system which has created such inequality and empower young people to stand up for their right to freedom of movement.
The new publication is the culmination of a project, On The Move, through which young people have been able to share their experiences of migration and mobility around the world. The project came after many years of members of IFM-SEI suffering from problems in traveling, in terms of applying for visas and gaining permits. This frequently leads to countless young people missing the opportunity to take part in events, training, camps and other invaluable non formal education experiences; overall, a huge setback for international youth work and, more generally, for the kind of solidarity and understanding amongst young people from different backgrounds that such experiences bring.
The publication, On the Move: An educational resource on migration, refugees, visas and regional youth work, highlights that it is vital for young people to understand the issues around migration and mobility as a first step in being able to identify and get practical skills to help tackle these human rights infringements. It includes practical guidance on how to include refugees and migrants in youth organisations and their activities, as well as practical “do’s and don’t’s” on applying for visas and activities for children and young people on migration, refugees, visas and youth work.
Carly Walker-Dawson, secretary general of IFM-SEI, said:
“Way too many young people are being denied their fundamental human right to travel across borders and the policies that prevent them from doing so are not only discriminatory, but unfair and often racist. Migrants and refugees are too often dehumanised and portrayed as a threat to the society in which they arrive.
“With On The Move we have been able to enable young people to help overcome visa issues themselves and to share knowledge, with the aim that more young people can take advantage of the great opportunities of travel in order to take part in exchanges, camps and other youth organisation activities.”
The publication notes that there are 244 million people currently outside their country of origin, with 65.5 million forcibly displaced and 22.5 million who are refugees. IFM-SEI seeks to debunk the mainstream media narrative which portrays migrants and refugees in a negative way and as a threat, who plan on “stealing” jobs and benefits. IFM-SEI calls for the voices of refugees and migrants to be heard in the debate and for communities to be more accepting of those that join them.
Read the full publication here:
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