Dreams Come True in Another Country
TRANSLATED BY THOMAS LANG
Organizations join forces to advocate for and call more attention to youth and adolescents, especially returned migrants.
The dreams of Guatemala’s young people and children force them to move to other countries is the title of an investigative report on migrant children and adolescents by PAMI (the Program of Attention, Mobilization and Advocacy for Children and Adolescents) as part of a project to strengthen systems that protect and guarantee the rights of migrant youth in Guatemala and Honduras.
The goal of the project is to promote better local and national management of youth protection initiatives to guarantee the rights of at-risk and migrant youth in Guatemala.
The report was published in 2024 and the results seemed obvious. There continue to be structural problems that the State has been unable to solve. Drawing from youth voice, the goal is to inform the State’s response so that it may contribute to social and familiar wellbeing, as well as support the dreams of returned migrant youth.
It’s imperative that Guatemala take more responsibility when it comes to State obligations. Among the recommendations made, one is that the State needs to implement public policy focused on youth development by implementing economic development programs, creating employment opportunities, ensuring access to quality education (especially in rural areas), strengthening vocational training and language learning programs, and creating spaces where youth can develop their life plans and envision making their dreams come true.
One solution (not just for this problem) is to combat corruption by improving the efficiency and transparency of state institutions in order to guarantee equitable access to basic services, employment, education and development opportunities to reduce social, economic and ethnic inequalities.
Results
The research was conducted on the basis of the childrens rights approach, in which children are considered as rights holders, and the guarantors of rights are responsible for eliminating the structural causes of the violation of childrens rights.
With this rights-based approach, the aim is to develop a protective environment within the family, communities, laws, the media and state institutions, in order to guarantee the protection of children.
According to the report, the best interest of the child was taken as the starting point, which is that all decisions affecting children must consider their welfare and full exercise of their rights as a primary consideration, because it is an obligation of all public and private entities to take this as the basis for guaranteeing the holistic development of children, according to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The techniques were applied in person. Four staff members of the Casa Nuestras Raíces Shelter were interviewed (2 in Guatemala and 2 in Quetzaltenango) to learn about the way they work. Eight interviews were conducted with key actors belonging to institutions related to migrant children and members of the Regional Network of Civil Organizations for Migration. A focus group with Pop No´j staff contributed their experiences in working with returned adolescent migrants. These interviews and focus groups made it possible to identify successes and gaps in the institutional framework that serves returned migrant youth in Guatemala, and what does or does not contribute to the fulfillment of their dreams, perceptions and experiences. Additionally, the application of the principles of the best interest of the child by the officials who serve them was assessed.
Claudia Martinez, regional coordinator of the binational migration project, Honduras- Guatemala, said that the research gives clues about what we need to do to strengthen institutional action on the issue of reception and care of migrant youth, and above all, to
give voice to the returned youth. This leads us to know that the major cause of migration is the search for better life opportunities that they do not find in this country.
She explained that, although one may think that it is not necessary to have research to know this, usually, when asked, it is very difficult to know the main reason why they leave the country. Therefore, research and interviews help to identify and clarify doubts.
She indicated that when migrant youth are asked what they mean when they say they are leaving to look for a better job offer, they do not have a clear answer, only that they are looking for better salaries and a decent life.
The National Reality
The document refers to the fact that migration in Guatemala is a multidimensional phenomenon, influenced by economic, social and political factors, such as poverty, violence, lack of economic opportunities and political instability.
Guatemala is a country with high rates of social inequality, reaching 48.3% in the Gini index in 2014; this social inequality, high levels of corruption and organized crime influence people to seek better living conditions outside the country. Understanding the causes of migration is necessary to develop effective policies and programs that address structural aspects and promote sustainable solutions.
Migration is mainly due to poverty and economic inequality. According to data from the General Secretariat of Planning and Programming of the Presidency (SEGEPLAN), 52.8% of the country's population lives in poverty and extreme poverty. A study on migration in Guatemala found that people migrate mainly because of economic constraints, lack of employment opportunities, and health.
On the other hand, the increase of organized crime and gangs, as well as the feeling of general insecurity influence migration. This is reinforced by the corruption that affects governments, which harms confidence in state institutions. Given the inefficiency of these institutions, the population is forced to leave the country in search of a better future, she added.
Add climate change to the equation, which has led to weather phenomena such as droughts and floods, which generate food insecurity and place the population in vulnerable conditions. This drives internal and transnational migration, especially in rural communities, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2014).
Martínez said that the document highlights that the lack of development and education opportunities are two of the factors that most drive people out of the country, especially adolescents and young people, who have limited opportunities for quality formal and technical training.
Types of Migration
Migration can manifest itself in many ways. According to Ayuda en Acción, different types of migration can be identified by their causes, characteristics, and consequences. For example:
• Forced migration: that which is characterized by people fleeing coercion and threats, as well as seeking subsistence.
• Internal (within a country) or international (to another country)
• Irregular: in conflict with established regulations in countries of origin, destinations, or intermediary countries. The international community does not agree on a definition.
• Labor: migration with the goal of finding work in another country. This can be regular or irregular.
Martinez concluded by stating that migration is riskier for children, whether they migrate accompanied or unaccompanied. According to a UNICEF report, migration puts them at risk of abuse, exploitation, and violence, and disrupts their education and emotional development.
