Children, migration and displacement

Globally, the number of children and young people engaged in migration is dramatically increasing. Children and young people move within and between countries in varying circumstances, both voluntarily and involuntarily. A wide range of interlinked factors—including economic, socio-political and environmental factors—influence decisions on how, when, and where to migrate. Meeting their needs through age- and gender-sensitive responses has become one of the international community’s greatest challenges.

Traditional approaches to manage migration and displacement remain largely child-blind. The need for a better understanding of how mobility affects children’s well-being – including how gender dynamics produce different risks and opportunities in the early years through adolescent; how to create effective and durable solutions; and how to build upon the tremendous agency and resilience of child and young migrants – has never been more urgent.

 
Goal

Despite significant data on migration in general, little exists on the movement of children and young people specifically. Child-sensitive research is essential, not only to understand how the international community can better protect the rights and well-being of children on the move, but also to learn about migration journeys from children themselves.

Innocenti’s goal is to generate evidence on the drivers of child migration and displacement; develop deeper understanding of how ability intersects with other domains of child rights; well-being and protection; and assess the effectiveness of specific strategies in both reducing vulnerabilities and supporting the aspirations of children and young people engaged in migration.

 
Approach

UNICEF Innocenti builds the evidence base on effective strategies to protect the rights of children and young people who migrate or are displaced through mixed methods research. The work is structured across three pillars:

1. Understanding the drivers, decision making and experiences of children on the move
2. Protection and well-being during transit
3. Durable solutions for child migrant integration, return, or resettlement

Findings account for the distinct experiences of marginalized children and youth, including those living in humanitarian contexts; engaged in labour; and children living with disabilities.