This conference session focused on two under-researched groups of migrants – children who migrate independently of their parents and children who are left behind when parents migrate.  It reviewed evidence of their experiences, reporting work by Migration DRC researchers and others, and explored significant mismatches between these experiences and policy.

Conference materials –

• Session Five minutes
• Presentation PowerPoints:
1. ‘Children Moving on Their Own in Developing Countries’, Ann Whitehead (University of Sussex)
2. ‘Impact of Migration on Children Left Behind in Developing Countries’, Andrea Rossi (Harvard University).
3. ‘Mobility of Children and Youth in West Africa: Re-imagining West African Societies’, Guy Massart, Plan International
• Audio clips (to be added later)

Migration DRC research – view a two-page overview of the Migration DRC’s research findings on independent child migration.

Further reading – working papers published by the Migration DRC related to independent child migration are listed below.

1. “Child Migration, Child Agency and Inter-generational Relations in Africa and South Asia”. Ann Whitehead, Iman M Hashim and Vegard Iversen (Dec 2007; WP-T24).
2. “Coping Strategies of Independent Child Migrants from Northern Ghana to Southern Cities”. Stephen O Kwankye, John K Anarfi, Cynthia Addoquaye Tagoe and Adriana Castaldo (Nov 2007; WP-T23).
3. “If Only I Get Enough Money for a Bicycle!' A Study of Childhoods, Migration and Adolescent Aspirations Against a Backdrop of Exploitation and Trafficking in Burkina Faso”. Dorte Thorsen (Sept 2007; WP-T21).
4. “The Positives and Negatives of Children's Independent Migration: Assessing the Evidence and the Debates”. Iman M Hashim (Sept 2006; WP-T16).
5. “Exploring the Linkages between Children’s Independent Migration and Education: Evidence from Ghana”. Iman M Hashim (Aug 2005: WP-T12).