Changing Europe: migration – opportunity or challenge? (Youth in Action 4.3 seminar)

Seminar “Changing Europe: Migration – Opportunity or Challenge?”, funded by European Comission Youth in Action programme (action 4.3) brought together 27 youth leaders and youth workers across Europe (Estonia, Greece, Spain, Latvia, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy and Hungary) to North-East Estonia to discuss the topics of migration and mobility in Europe and its consequences to youth and youth work. According to International Organization for Migration (IOM) there are currently 56 million migrants in Europe and this number is increasing. There are different triggers and causes, push and pull factors for migration which affects everyday life of all Europeans. There is forced migration and voluntary migration, different reasons and consequences of migration which have lead to new migration routes. Migration is often seen as opportunity, promoted and supported by different governments and European Union programmes, but it is also seen as a problem, often connected with raising xenophobia and discrimination against immigrants. All Europeans are affected by migration, and especially young people, who are one of the most mobile groups and the ones who determine how the future Europe will look like. For this it’s important that people working with young people would be aware of the causes, opportunities and consequences of migration and could support both – young emigrants and immigrants by creating opportunities and providing support these young people need. The aims and objectives of the seminar were as follows: 

•  Fostering reflection on different dimensions of migration and mobility, understanding the theoretical framework of migration trends and new migration in Europe and its global effects
•   Exchange of experience and good practice in youth work, related to international/local migration and mobility and its influence on young people in Europe
•     Preparing youth workers and youth leaders in addressing the challenges and opportunities resulting from migration for young people /society as a whole
• Raising the competence of youth workers and youth leaders about the push and pull factors of migration and causes and consequences of migration and how to prevent negative effects of migration (such as discrimination) in society
•  To understand the EU policies towards migration and mobility and local realities in participating countries and learning good practices
•  Improving competences about different (youth) mobility opportunities in Europe
•  Promoting European cooperation between youth organisations promoting youth mobility and support engagement youth with immigrant backgrounds in participating organizations’ activities
•  Develop new initiatives in the field of migration and mobility for young people within the framework of the Youth in Action Programme

By the end of seminar participants were more aware of different migration schemes in world and know better how to deal with challenges resulting from migration and how to use opportunities created by migration in their work with young people. They are ready to develop projects connected to migration and mobility, engage young immigrants in their activities and support mobility among youth. They can also help to change the general image of migration in society and promote tolerance and positive attitude towards immigrants in society.

Seminar took place for 8 days (28.06 - 07.07.2013) in Kiviõli, North-East Estonia. 8 partners, 27 participants, 3 facilitators and 2 support team members.