Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, affecting millions of people around the world, especially those who are most vulnerable and marginalized. Migration is both a consequence and a coping strategy of climate change, as people move to adapt to climate and environmental changes or to seek better opportunities and livelihoods. Young people are at the forefront of these dynamics, as they are often the most affected by the impacts of climate change and the most active in finding innovative solutions and advocating for action. 

As part of its commitment to support the engagement and empowerment of young people in climate change and migration related discussions, IOM launches a blog series for young people to share their stories, experiences, knowledge and recommendations on the linkages between youth, migration, environment, climate change and disaster risk reduction. The blog series aims to give youth a space to raise their voice and share approaches and recommendations that can help shape policy, operations and research on the nexus and its intersection with other global challenges, including food security and conflict. 

The blog series features diverse and inclusive perspectives from young people of different backgrounds, experiences and regions, reflecting the heterogeneity and complexity of the nexus between youth, migration, environment, climate change and disaster risk reduction nexus. 

This blog series is part of IOM's efforts to promote the engagement and participation of young people in the climate-migration related policy discussions, such as the implementation of the Paris Agreement or the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). IOM is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and seeks to promote a comprehensive, evidence and rights-based approach to migration in the context of environmental degradation, climate change and disasters, for the benefit of migrants and societies. 

The blog series is an initiative to amplify the voices of youth and showcase their perspectives on various topics. The blogs are written by youth experts, youth researchers, and youth who share their views and experiences on issues that matter to them. The blogs are not meant to be academic papers or rigorous research reports, nor do they reflect IOM policy or those of its member states, but rather personal reflections and opinions. We recommend the readers to appreciate the diversity and authenticity of the youth voices and to engage with them respectfully and constructively.

Together we can amplify the youth voices for a sustainable and inclusive future. 

Read the articles in this blog series:

  1. Redefining Narratives: Lessons from Young Ecuadorean Indigenous Women on Environmental Migration by Jan Minke Contreras
  2. Rising Waters, Shifting Lives: Impacts of Climate Change on Youth Mobility in Bentiu amid Years of Flooding by Kwabena Frimpong Nyarko
  3. Missing Children: The Lack of Youth Perspective in Climate Migration Research & Policymaking by Gabriela Nagle Alverio
  4. Burundi Youth Stands for Addressing Climate Change and its Impacts on Human Mobility by Audry Rusangwa
  5. The Role of Youth in Mitigating Climate Risk by Abhishek Halder
  6. Climate-Induced Migration of Youth: A Case for Inclusion in the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) by Shubhi Goel, Amlan Mishra, Soham Banerjee
  7. Youth on the Move in Somalia: Perspectives, Vulnerabilities and Horizons by Anna Belli and Victor Villa
  8.  Zenadth Kes: the Impact of Climate Change on Children’s Rights by Alba Gisbert Garcia
  9. The Youth Action Plan (YAP) in EU External Action: A Key Opportunity to Shape the EU's Approach to Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change by Florien van Weerelt
  10. Climate Change, Disasters, Insecurity, and Displacement: The Impact of Flooding on Youth Marginalization and Human Mobility in Nigeria by Rachel Stromsta
  11. Climate-Induced Migration and the Opportunities for Youth by Himani Pasricha
  12. African Youth at the Crossroads of Climate Change Mobility by Lukmon Akintola, Careen JoelMwakitalu, Rose Kobusinge, Marc Tilley, Gislaine Kengne, Sophie Nabukenya, Pavert Ngehm and James Thuch Madhier
  13. Why Young Pacific Islanders need to be in Conversations around Climate-Induced Migration by Olivia Karp
  14. Migrant Youth as Climate Change Agents: A Case of Bungoma, Kenya by Gorrety Yogo
  15. Breaking Gendered Barriers: Exploring the Nexus Between Youth, Climate Change and Gender by Yasmina Benslimane
  16. Youth, Migration, Environment, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Reduction: Exploring Direct and Indirect Impacts on Mobility by Ruth Kerubo Omobe
  17. Dissappearing Nations: Youth Statelessness at the Frontline of Climate Change by Eleanor Thomas
  18. Preserving Nepal's Mountains: Climate Change, Migration, and Youth's Role in the Future by Rajan Shah
  19. From Khyber Pakhtunkhwa  to Europe: A Youth   Migration Journey of Sustainability and Growth by Tariq Muhammad
  20. Bridging the Gap: Empowering the Youth to Address the Connections between Climate Change, Migration, Health and Disaster Risk Reduction by Kwabena Obiri-Yeboah
  21. How Disasters Have Gendered Impacts on the Climate Migration and What Youth Can Do About It: The Case of Pakistan by Rebecca Bassey and Sitara Nath
  22. Stitching a Sustainable Future: Policy Interventions for Youth, Migration, and Climate Change in Bangladesh's Garment Industry by Elisa D'Amico
  23. The Light Bearers: Rohingya Youth in Action by Oyessorzo Rahman Chowdhury Prithibi
  24. Children on the Move: Human Security Challenges of Climate-Induced Migration in South Sudan by Valeria Zanini and Cristina Elkhoury
  25. How Virtual and Augmented Reality can Inspire Youth to Take Action on Climate Change: A Focus on Disaster Risk Reduction and Evacuation by Domenico Bovienzo 
  26. Young Migrants and Diasporas: A Bridge for Resilient Communities in the East and Horn of Africa by Rose Kobusinge
  27. Empowering Jordanian Youth in the face of Climate Change and its impacts on Human Mobility by Ahmed Owier 
  28. Forced Climate Migration of Indigenous Youth in Central America’s Dry Corridor by Marielys Padua Soto
  29. Water as a Precursor for Youth Mobility by Peter Wasswa
  30. Youth at Risk: Unveiling Demographic and Gendered Vulnerabilities to Climate Change in the Indian Subcontinent by Puneeth Parimisetty
  31. Social Innovation by Young People for Climate Change Solutions which Address Drivers of Migration and Displacement in the Global South by Jeyda Simren Sekhon Atac and Megha Saha
  32. Youth Migration as Climate Adaptation: the Chingwizi Experience by Tafadzwa Maganga and Terrence Muvoti
  33. Protecting West African Fisheries: Challanges and Opportunities for EU Collaboration by Anna Kitz

This series is the result of a collaborative effort by an IOM team of editors, who have reviewed and polished each article to ensure quality and accuracy.

Meet the IOM Editorial Team:

  • Nicholas BISHOP, Disaster Risk Reduction Lead, IOM PCCA Headquarters 
  • Hugo BRANDAM, Programme Officer Disaster Risk Reduction, IOM PCCA Headquarters 
  • Christina DASZKIEWICZ, Programme Officer, Migration, Environment, Climate Change and Risk Reduction, IOM CAD Headquarters 
  • Iulia DUCA, Programme Officer, Migration, Environment, Climate Change and Risk Reduction, IOM CAD Headquarters 
  • Elisabeth DU PARC, Project Officer Migration, Environment, Climate Change and Risk Reduction, IOM CAD Headquarters 
  • lleana Sinziana PUSCAS, Thematic Specialist Migration, Environment, Climate Change, IOM CAD Headquarters 
  • Itan VALENCIA, Consultant Migration, Environment, Climate Change and Risk Reduction, IOM CAD Headquarters
  • Cecilia ZERBINI, Consultant Migration, Environment, Climate Change and Risk Reduction, IOM CAD Headquarters 
  • Wendy Gloria ADHIAMBO, Project Assistant Migration, Environment, Climate Change, IOM Regional Office for East and Horn of Africa 
  • Tulika GANGOPADHYA, Intern Migration and Sustainable Development, IOM Headquarters 
  • Daphne HEIJDELBERG, Liaison & Policy Assistant, IOM Brussels 
  • Ignacio HERNANDEZ, CANVAC Team Leader, IOM Montevideo 
  • Bubacarr JAWO, DTM Associate, IOM London 
  • Deepika NATH, Media & Communications Officer, IOM Iraq 
  • Siobhan SIMOJOKI, Programme Advisor, IOM Headquarters  
  • Neha SINHA, Migration Policy Officer, IOM Headquarters 
  • Mariam TRAORE CHAZALNOËL, Senior Strategic Planning Officer, IOM Headquarters

The development of the series has been led by Iulia DUCA Programme Officer on Migration, Environment, Climate Change and Risk Reduction, IOM Climate Action Division (CAD), and conducted under the oversight of Rania SHARSHR, IOM Director of the Climate Action Division, and Manuel MARQUES PEREIRA, IOM Chief of Climate Advocacy and Policy, Climate Action Division.

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NOTE

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) recognizes the importance of engaging with youth and enhancing their active participation in migration policy dialogue, especially related to climate change. In this context and as part of IOM’s Institutional Strategy on Migration, Environment and Climate Change, IOM offers a space to young people to express and share their perspectives and concerns about the impact climate change has on their mobility. IOM recognizes the plethora and diversity of voices that exist in the climate change space. Nonetheless, IOM sees itself as a bridge between parties and an organization that wishes to create consensus and commonalities for priorities and concerns. 

The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of IOM.