Event Overview
| Event Name | Empowering African Youth for Safe Migration and Risk Mitigation |
| Date & Time (Local time) | -1st March (Launch of social media and community outreach initiative on local radio station) -14th March 2025 (interactive workshop, capacity building and creation of an advocacy lap) Time: 2PM |
| Venue | Pan African Institute for Development-Central Africa (IPD-AC, Douala, Cameroon) |
| Organiser(s) | -ADN RC (Cameroon) -AFRICK PREPARED -IPD-AC |
| Contact | Dr Franklin BABILA DOH |
| Email address (Please replace % with @) | frankbdoh%gmail.com |
Description
Activity Title: Empowering African Youths for Safe Migration and Risk Mitigation
Overview
The proposed activity is a "Youth Migration Safety Forum and Workshop" targeting African youths, especially in Central African countries. This event aims to raise awareness about the risks of irregular migration, build capacities for safer migration practices, and equip participants with tools to advocate for policies that protect migrant youth.
Objectives
- Raise Awareness: Educate youths about the dangers of irregular migration, such as human trafficking, exploitation, and avoidable deaths.
- Promote Informed Decisions: Provide resources and knowledge about safe migration pathways and legal options.
- Capacity Building: Train participants on how to reduce risks during migration, including health, legal, and safety measures.
- Advocacy and Leadership: Empower youth to become advocates for safe migration and equitable policies within their communities.
Programme
Key Components of the Activity
1. Interactive Workshop: "Understanding Migration Risks"
- Topics to include:
- Common risks faced by migrants from Central Africa (e.g., unsafe routes, exploitation, environmental hazards).
- Health risks and accessing healthcare as a migrant.
- Navigating legal migration pathways and opportunities.
Format:
Interactive presentations, real-life case studies, and panel discussions featuring migration experts, healthcare professionals, and former migrants.
2. Training Session: "Building Safety Kits for Migration"
Youth participants will:
- Learn about practical tools and knowledge for safer migration (e.g., key documents, communication strategies, health precautions).
- Create a "Migrant Safety Toolkit" to be distributed in their communities.
Toolkit Includes:
- Emergency contact lists.
- Guides on accessing healthcare and legal aid during migration.
- Tips for avoiding trafficking and exploitation.
3. Advocacy Lab: "Youth Voices for Migration Policy"
- Participants will collaborate to draft a "Youth Declaration on Safe Migration" to highlight challenges and propose solutions.
- The declaration will focus on:
- Creating safe migration pathways.
- Enhancing access to information on legal migration.
- Addressing the root causes of irregular migration (e.g., unemployment, conflict).
Outcome:
The declaration will be shared with policymakers, local governments, and international organizations.
4. Community Outreach Campaign
- Launch a social media and community outreach initiative led by participants to raise awareness of safe migration in their home communities.
- Create short videos, infographics, and testimonies to share on platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and local radio stations.
Target Audience
- Youth aged 18–30 from Central African countries, particularly those in Douala from migration hotspots and conflict prone countries within CEMAC.
- Local NGOs, community leaders, and representatives from government and international organizations.
Partnerships
- Collaborate with organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNHCR, etc
- Engage local governments and universities to mobilize participants and extend the reach of the initiative.
Expected Outcomes
- Increased Awareness: Participants will understand the dangers of irregular migration and the benefits of legal pathways.
- Empowered Youth: Equipped with tools and knowledge, youth can make informed migration decisions and support peers.
- Policy Advocacy: The "Youth Declaration on Safe Migration" will serve as a framework for advocating for migration reforms.
- Community Impact: The outreach campaign will disseminate critical information to hundreds of at-risk youth in local communities.
This activity aligns with ADN’s mission to prevent avoidable deaths by addressing the root causes and risks of unsafe migration, while empowering African youth to become proactive leaders in their communities.