African Child & Youth Migration & the Sustainable Development Goals: A Global Perspective

June 3rd –  6th 2025 

University of Ghana, Accra

ACYM

Call for Submissions Launch:

January 13, 2025

Registration Launch:

February 1, 2025

Call for Submissions Deadline:

Late-Breaking Abstracts – Open Until April 20, 2025

The African Child and Youth Migration Network, established in 2018, is dedicated to improving the welfare of African migrant children and youth worldwide. This is a network of migration researchers with representatives from diverse countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, South Africa, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.  African migrants face unique challenges shaped by conflict, political oppression, limited economic prospects, environmental changes, and family reunification. These issues highlight the importance of addressing African migration in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals.  

 This conference will convene a diverse group of stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and migrant communities, in Ghana. The discussions and training sessions will focus on the challenges facing African child and youth migrants, aiming to enhance their well-being and opportunities in line with the SDGs. The event will be held in-person at the University of Ghana, Accra. 

Click on the image to download the conference flyer

Click on the image to download the speaker flyer

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

The African Child and Youth Migration Network (ACYMN) is delighted to announce that scholars, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers are invited to submit abstracts for its international conference. The conference theme is “African Child and Youth Migration and the Sustainable Development Goals: A Global Perspective.” This conference aims to foster dialogue and shed light on research regarding African child and youth migrants in various contexts across the global North and South. 

A key focus of the conference will be “African Child and Youth Migration: Exploring child migration dynamics globally and within Africa, considering the implications for child and youth well-being and development in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” This exploration aligns with the conference's purpose of advancing knowledge, fostering international research collaborations, mentoring students and early-career researchers, and engaging with diverse stakeholders.

Conference Venue: Institute of Statistical and Social Economic Research,  Conference Hall University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.

The conference events include: 

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES (2 DAYS)

  1. ACYNM members: $0.00 
  2. Early bird: $75 USD (Ends April 30th, 2025) 
  3. Regular registration: $100 USD (Ends May 30th, 2025) 
  4. Late Registration: $125 USD  
  5. Students: $20 USD (This is applicable to full-time students. Evidence will be required in the form of an ID) 

Other Fees 

  1. Pre-Conference Registration fees: $100 USD 

  2. Post Conference fee to be determined later. (This is for excursion only) 

     

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: acymn@ucalgary.ca
Website: https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/research/bare/research/african-child-and-youth-migration-research-network

Pre-Conference Workshop (June 3, 2025): 

  • Sessions on grant writing and manuscript writing for publication. 

Main Conference (June 4-5, 2025): 

  • Opening Ceremony/Plenary Sessions (June 4, 2025)
  • Parallel/Scientific Sessions (June 5, 2025)

Post-Conference Event (June 6, 2025):

  • Leadership and Research Meeting and Excursion: The conference will conclude with a leadership and research meeting in the morning and an excursion to tourist sites in the afternoon.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We invite diverse stakeholders across the globe who can contribute to a rich discussion on migration. We welcome contributions on all forms of migration including internal migration, international migration, refugees, internal displacement, and economic migrants.  We also invite papers that engage diverse stakeholders including migrant communities, policymakers, practitioners, and researchers. Below are some of the highlights and the major thematic areas of interest.  

Conference Sub-Themes

Understanding the Dynamics of Child and Youth Migration

Exploration of Methodologies: The sub-theme aims to advance the field by promoting rigorous and context-sensitive methodologies that provide deeper insights into the social, economic, political, and environmental drivers of migration and its impact on children and youth. 

Education, Technology, and Migration

Investigating the connection between migration and access to quality education, the educational experiences of migrants, and their integration, aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education), as well as analyzing the role of technology in shaping global migration patterns, governance, and its potential to facilitate the achievement of SDGs.  

Climate Change,Clean Water, Sanitation, Energy and Migration

Investigating the interplay between climate change, migration, and the SDGs, focusing on African experiences and their contribution to global climate resilience. Discussing the links between migration and access to clean water, sanitation, and sustainable energy sources, supporting SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).  

Good Health, Wellbeing and Migration

Examines the impact of migration on the health and overall well-being of migrants and host communities, aligning with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). It includes a focus on mental health, highlighting how migration experiences, such as displacement, integration, and cultural adjustment, affect psychological well-being. The sub-theme aims to explore strategies to address health challenges and promote holistic well-being for both migrants and host communities. 

Security, Internal Displacement, Forced Migration & Refugees

Exploring security challenges related to forced migration, internal displacement, and refugee protection in a global context within the SDG framework. 

Poverty, Inequality, and Migration

Analyzing the influence of migration on poverty, hunger, and inequality, and its potential to support the related SDGs. 

Gender Issues, Justice, Peace, and Migration

Examining gender dynamics in migration, including the experiences of women and girls, and the pursuit of gender-responsive policies in the context of the SDGs. Examining how migration contributes to the promotion of justice and peace on a global scale. This includes analysis of the impact of migration on economic growth, social justice, and efforts to build and maintain peace, all of which align with the objectives of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Hunger, Nutrition, Food System, and Migration

Evaluating migration's impact on food systems, nutrition, and food security, and its role in advancing SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). 

Empowerment, Decent Work, Economic Growth, and Migration

Exploring how migration serves as a vehicle for empowerment, enabling individuals and communities to access decent work opportunities and contribute to economic growth. This inquiry aligns with the principles of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).  

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