National Youth Council (NYC), in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Senegal (KAS), has had an intergenerational dialogue on youth irregular migration touching the heartbeat of the Kanifing Municipality.
The dialogue brings together youth representatives such as community leaders, returnees, policymakers and development partners to engage in meaningful discussions on the realities, causes and consequences of irregular migration among young people.
As migration continues to shape the lives of many Gambian families, the importance of fostering understanding and collaboration across generations cannot be overstated.
Through open dialogue, shared experiences, and collective reflection, participants are exploring sustainable solutions that empower young people to make informed decisions and contribute positively to national development.
National Youth Council remains committed to creating platforms that amplify youth voices, strengthen community engagement and promote evidence-based approaches to addressing migration challenges.
Mustapha Sonko, a migration specialist, enriched the discussions on migration realities, youth empowerment and sustainable alternatives to irregular migration.
His sessions explored intergenerational perspectives on migration, addressing common myths and realities, while fostering dialogue between youth and elders.
He also highlighted opportunities in education, entrepreneurship, skills development, and local economic initiatives as viable alternatives to irregular migration, encouraging young people to harness available opportunities within The Gambia.
His facilitation promoted informed decision-making, meaningful participation, and a deeper understanding of migration-related challenges and solutions.
Alhagie S. Nyang, a resource person, facilitated key sessions on the causes, impacts and policy dimensions of irregular migration.
His presentations explored the push-and-pull factors influencing youth migration, the social and economic consequences on families and communities, and the role of policies and legal frameworks in addressing migration challenges.
Through his expertise and engagement, the facilitation fostered meaningful discussions, enhanced participants’ understanding of migration realities, and promoted informed, community-driven solutions to irregular migration.
Meanwhile, youth irregular migration involves young people moving outside regulatory norms, often via dangerous desert and sea routes like the ‘backway’ to Europe.
Driven by structural unemployment, poverty, and climate factors, it exposes youth to severe risks such as extortion, human trafficking and deadly crossings.
Lack of viable employment opportunities at home remains the primary catalyst, pushing young people to seek better financial prospects abroad.
Family pressure, community glorification of successful diaspora members, and digital exposure to Western lifestyles heavily influence the decision to migrate.
Irregular routes often lead to exploitation by smugglers, forced labour in transit countries, and high mortality rates on the Sahara Desert and Mediterranean Sea.
Successful migrants elevate their families' social status through remittances, failed or deported migrants often face severe downward social mobility and stigmatisation.
Groups like Youth Against Irregular Migration (YAIM) lead community campaigns using drama, music, and sport to sensitize youth about the hazards of the ‘backway’.
