Migration has been the primary source of population growth in many countries across Europe, particularly
in Ireland, with more than 140.000 migrants arriving in the Republic in 2023. More than a quarter of the
migrant population is considered youth. These numbers are likely to increase in the years ahead, driven
by different factors that peculiarly affect children and youth on the move. Not only do young migrants face
significant barriers in accessing health services, i.e. administrative hurdles, but are significantly prone to
restrictive norms generating fear of discrimination and stigmatisation overall. In addressing the
Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations, a multi-sectoral approach within the migration-
health nexus is crucial to ensure a response that prioritises the profiles and needs of young migrants.
However, a lack of high-quality, as well as policy-relevant research on health, mobility, and displacement
remains, leading to overall vagueness and effective action triggered by different actors involved in the
process.
Given that the overall well-being of (young) migrants is slowly moving towards becoming a global priority,
a Regional Youth Forum on Migration and Health offers a key platform to enhance relevant research
and maximize efforts in the respective nexus closer to the 2030 Agenda. Whilst acknowledging existing
policy coherences on migration, health and development, the recognition of youth as leaders on migration
issues is equally inevitable. Young migrants are not only in need of special protection and support but are
and should be at the very forefront of local, regional, and international decision-making processes.