IOM sparks conversation among Caribbean youths on migration, climate change

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has initiated efforts to spark conversations among youths on climate change and migration, enabling them to share their take on these issues and contribute to decision-making, when it held its fourth episode of Conversations on Migration in the Caribbean recently at the Torarica Hotel in Paramaribo, Suriname.
The panel discussion, which engaged youth leaders from six diverse Caribbean civil society organizations (CSOs), involved a live and online audience, and explored the topic of empowering youths through more meaningful engagement in discussions on climate-induced migration.
The young panelists represented the Aurae Opus Foundation and VIDS (Bureau Association of Indigenous Village Leaders) from Suriname; the Breadfruit Collective and SASOD from Guyana; the Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities Inc., and the Jamaica Climate Change Youth Council. These stakeholders indicated that communication needs to be contextualized to the youths who may not yet have understood how climate change connects to them.

Entertainment events and appropriate language were suggested, as well as the fact that youths must first understand the impacts, and then be engaged in the decision-making processes, shaping policies, strategies and innovative solutions.
The young leaders urged decision-makers to seek the traditional knowledge of Indigenous communities, and consider the effects on their communities, livelihoods and rights. This reinforced the broader message that consultation must take place with the people who are affected, allowing them to propose their own solutions.
These affected people include vulnerable youth who, because of their socioeconomic status, are highly susceptible to human rights violations and to being excluded from social services and protection.
It has been underscored that youths must have a meaningful role in making legislation, and be given sufficient time to review proposed legislation and provide feedback.
Conversations on Migration in the Caribbean underscored the critical role of youths and other underrepresented groups who are affected by climate-induced migration in shaping effective responses and building a more inclusive and sustainable Caribbean region.
The IOM Caribbean team and all CSOs involved hope that the outcome would be tangible actions to include Caribbean youths more meaningfully in decision-making that affects their present and future.
The next opportunity is slated for May this year, at the 4th Conference of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Antigua, or through the ongoing Caricom-led process to develop a regional approach to migration policy.
The panel discussion was coordinated by the IOM Caribbean Coordination Office on the fringes of a Regional Conference on Environmental Migration and Disaster Displacement for Caribbean CSOs.
Both events are funded by the French Government as part of the Caribbean component of Implementing Global Policies on Environmental Migration and Disaster Displacement at the regional-level project.