Postcard from Bishkek

Every year since the turn of the century, 12th August sees the commemoration of the United Nations designated International Youth Day.

In fact, youth issues have been on the UN agenda for a lot longer – the first International Year of Youth was held in 1985, (there was a second in 2010/11), and the General Assembly has adopted a World Programme of Action for Youth which highlights such issues as:

Education; Employment; Hunger and poverty; Health; Drug abuse; Juvenile delinquency; Leisure-time activities; Girls and young women; Participation; Information and communication technologies; HIV/AIDS; Intergenerational relations; Youth and conflict; Globalization and the Environment.

Each year a theme is chosen as focus for activities, for example, in previous years:

• 2002 – Now and for the Future: Youth Action for Sustainable Development
• 2003 – Finding decent and productive work for young people everywhere
• 2004 – Youth in an Intergenerational Society
• 2005 – WPAY+10: Making Commitments Matter
• 2006 – Tackling Poverty Together
• 2007 – Be seen, Be heard: Youth participation for development
• 2008 – Youth and Climate Change: Time for Action
• 2009 – Sustainability: Our Challenge. Our Future.
• 2010 – Dialogue and Mutual Understanding
• 2011 – Change Our World2012 – Building a Better World: Partnering with Youth

The theme for 2013 is : ‘Youth Migration: Moving Development Forward.’

That leads to an interesting question: Why Youth & Migration?  Apparently, young people are recognized as one of the most mobile social groups – forming a considerable proportion of all international migrants (one source suggests 30% … although the Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, talks about just 10% in his message and a press release issued by the Institute on Migration here in Kyrgyzstan suggested 12.5%).

I admit to a slight problem in that I am not exactly sure what is meant by “Youth” in this context … I have seen references to people between the ages of 15 and 24, and also 14 to 28.

The argument is that little is known about the livelihood struggles and opportunities that migration presents for young people, (whether migrants themselves or other affected youth).  It was felt that there was a need to raise awareness about the situation of these young people as well as the role of youth-led organizations in addressing migration issues; to share knowledge and information stemming from recent research and analysis on this topic, and to give young people the opportunity to tell their stories about their migration experiences.

There are many reasons why young people migrate: In some cases, for example, they are fleeing persecution whilst others are escaping economic hardship. Some travel alone whereas others travel as part of a family – with parents, siblings and even children of their own.   Some have communities to go to but others have to make new connections on their own.

There are also young people left at home when parents migrate to find work who face other issues; psychological and social challenges and greater vulnerability. Those that travel face particular problems, both in their journey and also at their final destinations.

Many find themselves living in poverty, in crowded and unsanitary living conditions and they face the the challenge of finding decent employment.  These challenges are often exacerbated by the current global economic and financial crisis, (for example, they may be accused by communities and politicians of taking jobs from local people), leaving them vulnerable to racism, xenophobia, discrimination and human rights violations.

Indeed, in recent times we seem to be seeing striking examples of this in Russia at the current time, especially in relation to migrants from Central Asian countries. In addition, as Ban Ki-Moon points out, although they main gain financial and social independence, “young women, in particular, face the risk of sexual exploitation and abuse”.

On the other hand, it is also important to recognize the fact that these migrants make a positive contribution to society. In economic terms, for example, they work hard to earn a living and improve their circumstances – often performing jobs which are difficult to fill in the host country, sending remittances back home to help support their families, making a major contributor to their economies – as we are well aware here in Kyrgyzstan.

• to ensure the direct participation of youth in the development and implementation of national youth policies, and support socially significant and innovative initiatives;
• the development of labor relations and wage system in different sectors of the economy;
• to promote employment and the development of vocational education, taking into account the interests of the national labor market;
• to ensure the rights of refugees in accordance with international obligations and in the interests of national security;
• to improve the rules of social support for the unemployed;
• to provide for gender equality in accordance with the laws of the Kyrgyz Republic.

They are responsible for the register of the unemployed and the Labour Exchanges … in particular the Youth labor exchange, which was established in 1996 with financial support from the German Society for Technical Co-operation, (GTZ – now GIZ), in order to reduce the level of unemployment among young people and, (interestingly – given the theme for this year’s International Youth Day), to “reduce the migration flow from the regions of the country to the capital”.

The exchange has offices throughout the country and much of their work is with young people from socially disadvantaged sections of the population: those from large and single-parent families, orphans, street children, the disabled and young people experiencing specific difficulties.

Vocational education is an important part of their role – whether for new entrants to the job market, or training and retraining for those already in employment.

In September each year, they hold a “Job Fair” where employers and unemployed youth are brought together, and they are also involved in organizing Career Days for graduates in Higher Education.

 

 

 

Tags: Calendar, For_the_Record, Kyrgyzstan