Committee: UNICEF
Issue: The integration of migrant children and refugees
Chair: Inès Prévost
Introduction
The integration of migrant children and refugees is a major problem today and is the concern of many countries and organisations. Millions of children every day, traumatized by violence and death, are fleeing from their home countries to escape the horror of war and seek shelter. There are also families forced to flee for economic and political reasons. Almost all have seen their lives shattered, their families dislocated, their rights to life, education, health and justice ignored.
A key feature of today’s world is mobility, including geographical movement, which is necessary to ensure both a flexible labour market and personal development. What is more, this mobility is potentially without limits, as the concept of globalisation is based on a vision of a global migratory flows.
The phenomenon of migration today is characterised by the diversification of both the countries of origin and of destination, as well as the different types of migration. It is estimated that the money invested into the countries of origin from the host country is at least equal, if not significantly greater, than the amount of financial aid given by the so-called ‘rich’ countries to the poorest countries. Demographers consider that migration will have become a key element by 2050, in a world in which there will be an additional 2 or 3 billion people and the effects of climate change will already be experienced. Some areas will no longer be able to feed a larger population.
Migration has been present throughout the history of humanity. There is limited information about the causes of the first human migration, but it is assumed that the driving force was hunting and gathering, combined with the inherent curiosity of the human species. It is in the nature of man to migrate, but also to adapt. From Antiquity to the present day, these numerous migratory flows have been a feature of the evolution of mankind. By the end of the Middle Ages, political and religious persecution combined with economic pressures, pushed the growing population to look elsewhere for new territories and opportunities to work. It was at this time that the major migratory flows began.
Today, wars and famines continue to trigger significant forced migration, particularly in Africa. The recent conflicts in Rwanda, in ex-Yugoslavia or currently in Syria, are tragic examples both of tensions between different ethnic groups, and religious strife leading to civil wars, and the resulting exodus of persecuted minorities.
Less dramatic is voluntary migration, which provides human resources for countries undergoing economic expansion. However, there are difficulties including the rejection by elements of the host population when the newcomers are perceived as an economic threat. This rejection takes the form of xenophobic or even racist speech and actions, as seen throughout Europe since the 1980s – 1990s. These same economic reasons are also the cause of internal migration within countries: the more general form being rural exodus, leaving the countryside depopulated and flooding the cities and suburbs with surplus population in the form of migrants.
The aim of this UNICEF (United Nations Fund for Childhood) Committee, together with the 59 member countries, is to find positive and lasting solutions for migrant children and refugees.
Definition of Key Terms
Integration
Immigrant integration is the process of economic mobility and social inclusion for newcomers and their children. Integration is achieved by the adoption of the values and norms of the host society and requires the fulfilment of two conditions:
- A willingness of the individual to integrate and adapt,
- The ability of the host society to be inclusive, by respecting individual differences and particularities.
Migration
Voluntary movement of individuals or populations from one country or region to another for economic, political or cultural reasons.
Dangers of migration
In general, emigration or the expatriation of people, only heightens the political and economic problems of the country of origin of those concerned. A large proportion of migrants consists of young, skilled men and their departure accentuates the country’s problems in finding qualified workers. These young men often leave families behind them, with children who find themselves without one, or sometimes even two parents. The alternative is to travel clandestinely with the children, which is undesirable and often very dangerous, with a high mortality rate of children during illicit migratory journeys. Each year hundreds die, drowned off the African and Turkish coasts (Atlantic and Mediterranean), or suffocated in the trucks of smugglers between Calais and Dover. There are also those who die in the north of Greece and in the south of Spain and Italy.
In addition to those who die of hunger and cold, there are others who commit suicide in detention centres faced with uncaring authorities and threatened with being returned to their country of origin. Others are victims of inter-ethnic violence. This clearly illustrates the difficulty for young migrants: how to continue to hope for a better future, when they are destitute and have lost their parents, brothers and sisters.
The dangers of migration are not only restricted to the countries of origin of the migrants, but also the host countries. Problems include the inability of migrants to find housing and the problems of overcrowding. Migrants might also increase existing unemployment rates in many European Union member states.
Refugee An individual who has left his country or region to avoid danger.
General overview
Causes of migration
There are multiple and ever increasing causes of migration: political, economic, social, or even cultural. The widening disparities between countries also explain the significant migratory flows. There is often not one sole reason why a person leaves his country, family, relatives and culture. A range of factors push them to escape the constraints and problems of daily life in their home country.
For example, in the European Union, the GDP per capita is 14 times higher than the GDP of the countries of the Maghreb. This encourages individuals to migrate in the hope of having access to a better life.
In 2002, the Council of European Communication highlighted the major causes of immigration:" The main factors of migration are among others: low economic growth, unequal income distribution, overpopulation closely linked to high population growth, high unemployment rates, armed conflict and ethnic cleansing, the violations of human rights, persecution and natural disasters (the degradation of the environment in general) as well as a low level of governance."
Examples
The young people of Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco increasingly migrate to Europe because of the laws which restrict their freedoms in their native countries.
Due to their history, they still have a close relationship with the former colonial power of France, which influences their languages and cultures. For this reason, many of them choose France as their destination.
Syrians are fleeing war and insecurity due to terrorist groups who have assumed power in a large part of the Syrian territory. In 2015, more than half a million Syrians and Syrian forces emigrated, a significant proportion being young people. Destinations include Turkey, Austria and more frequently Germany and Nordic countries, such as Sweden, which provide work, rights, access to care, and many other forms of aid.
Young people from Asia and North Africa, are also candidates for emigration. Children accompanied by their parents also migrate in search of a better life, an education and a secure home.
Consequences of the migration of children
One person in eight in the world is a migrant. It is estimated that 214 million people are international migrants and approximately 740 million are internal migrants. Young people represent a disproportionate share of this estimate; approximately one third of the migratory flows to all developing countries belong to the 12 to 24-year age group. This includes millions of children under the age of 18 who migrate internally or beyond their national borders, either with or without their parents.
In the coming years, it is estimated that an unprecedented number of young people will become part of this mass exodus, which will have an enormous impact on the population. This migratory movement will be influenced by demographic factors, economic inequalities, violent conflicts, the failures of governments, natural disasters, the lack of resources and environmental pressures, particularly climate change.
Young children and adolescents, especially those who are undocumented or who have been separated from their family, are particularly vulnerable to violations of human rights and policies and regulations directly or indirectly linked to migration. The United Nations Special Report on the human rights of migrants has pointed out the exceptional vulnerability of migrant children. One of the main concerns is that children and adolescents who cross borders do not have the same rights or protection as those who are residents in the host country. This increases the risk of them becoming ‘invisible’, as well as the risks of discrimination and exploitation. Although it is often reported that many migrants are not among the poorest in their countries of transit or destination, it does not alter the fact that they are the victims of a disproportionate amount of discrimination and exclusion.
However, migration can be a positive experience for children. It can offer them improved living conditions, increased opportunities and help them to escape threats such as forced marriage, conflicts and natural disasters. Children may face significant challenges during the migration process. These challenges are especially severe when children migrate without appropriate Identity Documents and/or without their families; and arrive in countries where there is no legal protection and where children do not have access to basic services and care. In these cases, migrant children end up working in agriculture or in service industries, such as domestic work. Some of them, but not all, are victims of trafficking.
Often migrant children suffer from abuse, which includes isolation, violence, miserable working conditions, low or no wages and the threat of being denounced to the authorities. Studies also suggest that among child workers, migrant children receive a lower wage, work more hours, attend less at school and face a higher mortality rate, than the local children.
Despite the numbers of children concerned, the needs and interests of the children of migrant workers are largely ignored in most debates concerned with the protection of children, child labour and migration. Accordingly, most governments have failed to develop effective policy responses to assist and protect migrant children. However, governments are obliged to offer such protection in accordance with Article 2.1 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which stipulates that: "States undertake to respect and guarantee the rights that are set forth in the present Convention for all children within their jurisdiction, without distinction of any kind, irrespective of any consideration of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion of the child or his or her parents or legal representatives, of their national, ethnic or social origin, their situation of fortune, of their disability, of their birth or any other situation".
Living conditions of migrants
Whole families, including children, leave their home to live on the outskirts of major cities in the hope of improving their economic conditions. To pay for travel expenses and earn a living for the family, they agree to work on construction sites and the industries located in the vicinity of large cities. Without means or resources, migrants are an easily exploitable labour force, prepared to work for extremely low wages. Migrant communities are working up to 10h/12h per day for miserable wages, often in extreme temperatures, with little to eat and to drink. Most of the time they live on the premises where they work, and children are put to work with no access to education
Role of the United Nations
"The Secretary General of the Organization of the United Nations stated that the time has come to consider as a whole and in its various aspects of the issue of migration, which now involves hundreds of thousands of people and affects countries of origin, transit and destination".
In effect, it is not just a few countries but the entire world which is affected by migration, the severity of the impact being dependent on the region concerned. Globalisation, as well as a variety of other issues, are responsible for pushing people to migrate. However, although the implementation of solutions including housing, access to care and education for young people is of paramount importance, they are sometimes difficult and costly to put in place.
Migration policies relating to detention, deportation and repatriation, as well as those for the defence of the economic, social and cultural rights of children and adolescents, are ignored both in industrialized and developing countries. There is an urgent need to act to ensure that migration policies comply with the principles of the UN Convention and other human rights treaties, and that in all cases the interests of the child are paramount.
However, it is encouraging to note that increasingly governments and their partners are working on policies and programs to promote and protect the rights of children and adolescents affected by migration. Even if there is still much to be done, the following examples illustrate what it is possible to accomplish, when there is a willingness, as well as the adequate resources and strategies.
The role of UNICEF here is very important, because it will allow access to emergency funds and enable the implementation of programs to respect the rights of all migrant children.
Countries and organizations concerned
The Philippines
The Philippine government has put in place policies and institutions such as ‘the administration for the well-being of foreign workers’, which manages a special fund for health care programs, public assistance, education and the training of immigrant workers and their families. The Philippine government makes provision for the protection of the rights of immigrant workers and for the families that they have left behind.
Canada
Canada has demonstrated its role as a leader by investing in education and the protection of children whose life is disrupted by crises. This renewed commitment to meet the needs of children and young people through education is a priority in the policy framework of the Canadian government’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria. The total government contribution to the initiative "No, to a lost generation" is more than $238 million. This investment will be a substantial contribution to creating a lasting change for children and young people affected by the crisis, and will enable them to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to rebuild communities and protect their future.
Germany
Germany has made a political decision to welcome refugees and migrants, and has put in place organizations to support migrant families.
Save the Children
An organization which guarantees every child protection and an education, as well as the assurance of a future. It is regarded as the largest independent global, movement working for children.
Recent Developments
The UNICEF site outlines a number of recommendations and strategies for implementation, such as:
The right to protection for any immigrant children, the preservation of the family unit by family reunification programmes for unaccompanied children, the strengthening of search and rescue missions at sea, and the provision of care for pregnant women and children.
2015 figures show the magnitude of the measures already implemented for the well-being and integration of refugee children and immigrants. However, the battle for the integration of children and refugees is not finished.
Possible solutions
Reduce extreme poverty and hunger, ensuring that all children have access to adequate food, with the help of organizations and the establishment of funding to ensure food security.
Ensure that all children have access to education, with an emphasis on the learning of languages to aid integration.
Promote gender equality and the empowerment of women, giving men and women the same rights.
Reduce child mortality by increasing coastal search and rescue missions and providing free health care.
Improve maternal health, focussing particularly on pregnant women.
Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, by distributing free condoms in locations with large migrant populations, and by implementing information campaigns.
Bibliography
https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicef_France
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice./documents/thematic_reports/101FR.pdf
https://www.unicef.be/fr/pres-de-50-millions-denfants-deracines-dans-le-monde/
https://www.unicef.be/fr/ni-sains-ni-saufs-les-enfants-non-accompagnes-dans-le-nord-de-la-france/