Youth on the Move: Views from Below on Ethiopian International Migration

This book explores international migration from the perspective of Ethiopian youth, focusing on their voices and views. It highlights the pervasive failure of state attempts to regulate migration and examines the financing and sharing of remittances within a culturally situated moral economy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 16 September 2021
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

International migration has garnered significant public and academic interest, despite growing policies that discourage it. This book takes a unique approach by focusing on the perspectives and agency of Ethiopian youth, both potential migrants and returnees, and their sending communities. The volume aims to delve deeper into the migration process, highlighting the voices and experiences of these young individuals. It brings together rare cases of young men and women from various Ethiopian communities who migrate to the Gulf and South Africa. By examining the agency of local actors, including prospective migrants, brokers, and sending families, Youth on the Move sheds light on the pervasive and persistent failure of state attempts to regulate migration. Furthermore, it explores the financing of migration and the sharing of remittances within a culturally situated moral economy. While economic and political factors are important, the contributors argue that they cannot fully explain the complexity and social realities of migration.

Introduction:
The study of international migration has traditionally been approached from a macro-level perspective, focusing on destination countries and their policies. However, this book departs from that conventional approach and seeks to explore the migration process from the perspective of Ethiopian youth, both potential migrants and returnees. By foregrounding the voices and views of these young individuals and their sending communities, the volume aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of migration decision-making, experiences, and outcomes.

The Perspective and Agency of Ethiopian Youth:
The contributors to this book recognize the agency of Ethiopian youth in shaping their migration journeys. They argue that young people are not passive recipients of migration but active agents who make informed decisions based on a range of factors, including economic opportunities, social networks, and cultural values. The volume seeks to understand the perspectives and experiences of these young people, both potential migrants and returnees, to better understand their decision-making processes and the factors that influence their migration outcomes.

Rare Documented Cases:
To provide a comprehensive understanding of migration from Ethiopia, the book brings together rarely documented cases of young men and women from various communities across the country. These cases highlight the diverse experiences and challenges faced by young migrants, including the risks and hardships they encounter during their journeys. By examining the experiences of these individuals, the volume seeks to shed light on the broader social and economic factors that contribute to migration in Ethiopia.

The Failure of State Attempts to Regulate Migration:
One of the key themes of the book is the pervasive and persistent failure of state attempts to regulate migration. The contributors argue that the state's regulatory frameworks are often inadequate, ineffective, and often exacerbate the risks and hardships faced by migrants. They highlight the need for more comprehensive and inclusive policies that address the root causes of migration, such as poverty, inequality, and political instability.

Financing Migration and the Sharing of Remittances:
Another important aspect of the book is the financing of migration and the sharing of remittances. The contributors examine the various mechanisms through which young migrants finance their journeys, including loans, savings, and the support of their sending communities. They also explore the role of remittances in supporting families and communities back home and the challenges faced by remittance recipients in accessing and utilizing these funds.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book provides a valuable contribution to the study of international migration by focusing on the perspectives and agency of Ethiopian youth. It highlights the need to understand the diverse factors that influence migration decision-making and the challenges faced by young migrants during their journeys. By examining the failure of state attempts to regulate migration and the financing of migration and the sharing of remittances, the book sheds light on the broader social and economic factors that contribute to migration in Ethiopia. The volume concludes by emphasizing the importance of policies and interventions that prioritize the well-being and rights of migrants, including the protection of their human rights and the promotion of sustainable migration.

Weight: 438g
Dimension: 214 x 140 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787385702