Vulnerability and the subjective future imaginaries of young refugees living in reception centres in Luxembourg

Scientific Conference (2023, August 02)

Vulnerability is a term often discussed in relation to the movement and settlement of refugees. In policies and practices of reception, vulnerability is used as a tool to direct services and aid toward ... [more ▼]

Vulnerability is a term often discussed in relation to the movement and settlement of refugees. In policies and practices of reception, vulnerability is used as a tool to direct services and aid toward ‘vulnerable refugees’ but also to justify increasingly hostile migration policies toward those who are not deemed ‘vulnerable enough’. Yet, as a concept a systematic definition of vulnerability is missing and multiple understandings are often implicitly employed in scientific literature and policies. Thus, the objective of the current study was to explore how vulnerability, articulated as an embedded, multi-layered and dynamic analytical concept, may aid our understanding of the lived experiences of a group of potentially ‘vulnerable’ migrants, based on contextual conditions. Specifically, the talk will examine how conditions of structural, situational and experiential vulnerability may affect the subjective future imaginaries of young adults (18-30) who obtained refugee status in Luxembourg but still live in ‘temporary’ reception centres. Data were drawn from 15 in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted in the context of the H2020 project MIMY and were analysed by means of qualitative content analysis. The results suggest that limited future educational and employment opportunities promote the structural vulnerability of this group, yet different levels of awareness and types of reactions to these limitations emerged. Moreover, episodes of discrimination, even if sporadic, can create conditions of situational vulnerability which strongly affected their future imaginaries. Finally, looking at the future some participants reported conditions of experiential vulnerability accompanied by feelings of uncertainty and difficulties in picturing their future. In conclusion, despite subjective differences in experiences and reactions, the precarious and disadvantageous position young refugees hold in the country, combined with their isolation in reception centres, promoted the vulnerability of this group and did have an impact on their outlook, plans, and ability to achieve their goals in the future. [less ▲]

The phenomenology of ‘vulnerable’ refugees: subjective experiences at the intersection between the individual and the structural

Scientific Conference (2023, July 05)

The notion of vulnerability permeates current public discourses, political debates and policy instruments around migration and international protection. In this context, vulnerability can be seen as ... [more ▼]

The notion of vulnerability permeates current public discourses, political debates and policy instruments around migration and international protection. In this context, vulnerability can be seen as another policy category part of the ‘migration apparatus’, which is often treated as a trait of an individual or group based on physical or innate characteristics (such as disability) or situations encountered in the country of origin or transit (such as experiences of violence) (Flegar, 2018). On one hand, some scholars have criticised such individualization of vulnerability, calling attention to the socio-political structures of inequality and exclusion which produce conditions of structural vulnerability (Brown et al., 2017). On the other hand, others criticised the reifying and normalizing effect of the vulnerability label, calling attention to the heterogeneous experiences and the agentic power of the individuals within the labelled group (Clark, 2007). The current paper proposes to contribute to this debate by exploring how the individual and the structural meet in the subjective experiences of young migrants, who may be categorized as vulnerable. Drawing from 15 semi-structured interviews with young adults who received refugee status but still lived in temporary reception centres in Luxembourg, conducted in the framework of the H2020 project MIMY, this study aims to reflexively engage with the vulnerability category by capturing their subjective understandings and experiences. The results of the thematic analysis illustrate the different ways in which our participants interpret, emotionally process, and negotiate the tension and ambivalence between structural inequalities, contingent challenges, and personal goals in building their lives in Luxembourg. [less ▲]

Integration of young migrants in Luxembourg: A focus on social identity and intergroup processes

Scientific Conference (2022, August 26)

In the past years, more and more young migrants from third countries have arrived to Europe. While the economies of ageing European societies can profit from an influx of young people in their labour ... [more ▼]

In the past years, more and more young migrants from third countries have arrived to Europe. While the economies of ageing European societies can profit from an influx of young people in their labour market, the integration of young third-country nationals poses also challenges both to individuals and societies. The integration of young migrants is a dynamic process that encompasses developmental and adaptive processes at multiple levels and over time. In particular young migrants in vulnerable conditions might be at risk for social exclusion. In order to understand the factors that foster or hinder integration, it is therefore particularly important to analyze the ingroup-outgroup processes involved here from a societal, institutional and individual perspective. The present study is part of the larger EU-funded H2020 MIMY project (EMpowerment through liquid Integration of Migrant Youth in vulnerable conditions) which involves 13 multinational and interdisciplinary partners to study the integration processes of young non-EU migrants across 9 countries (Luxembourg, Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Hungary). The MIMY project applies a mixed methods approach, including secondary data analysis as well as qualitative data from young migrants and their parents, from host society nationals and stakeholders through narrative, biographical and expert interviews as well as focus groups. For the present contribution, we will concentrate on qualitative data collected in Luxembourg. More precisely, drawing on focus group interviews regarding the challenges and resources in the integration processes of migrant youth, we will analyze here the ingroup-outgroup processes as described by migrant youth themselves as well as by migrant parents of adolescents/emerging adults living in Luxembourg. We will in particular identify processes of social identity, intergroup attitudes and patterns of social contact. Thereby, a special focus will be put on the experiences of social inclusion/exclusion and host societal attitudes toward migrants as experienced by our study participants. Our results will be discussed in relation to current integration policies, and ideas for an improvement of the situation of young migrants in Luxembourg and Europe will be formulated. [less ▲]

Vulnerability in the Context of Migration: a Critical Overview and a New Conceptual Model

in Human Arenas (2022)

The notion of “vulnerability” occupies a central role in academic literature, policymaking, humanitarian debates, and everyday discourses on migration and asylum. Its popularity has led some academics and ... [more ▼]

The notion of “vulnerability” occupies a central role in academic literature, policymaking, humanitarian debates, and everyday discourses on migration and asylum. Its popularity has led some academics and practitioners to use “vulnerability” as a self-explanatory condition or phenomenon. However, a common and systematic understanding of the concept is still missing, and the moral and political meaning often ascribed to this notion may have (un)intended detrimental consequences for those migrants deemed vulnerable. Thus, this paper sets out to critically unpack and highlight the complexities hidden behind this notion in order to provide a conceptual analysis of vulnerability in the context of migration. We do so by (1) providing an overview of definitions of vulnerability across different fields of research, (2) identifying common conceptualizations or types of vulnerability and discussing their implications, and (3) highlighting possible negative societal and psychological consequences of its implementation in the context of migration. Finally, we propose (4) a new conceptual model for understanding vulnerability in the context of migration, showing how this notion can become a useful analytical tool in migration research. [less ▲]

Vulnerability in the context of migration: a critical assessment of its conceptualizations and uses

Scientific Conference (2021, July 07)

The notions of ‘vulnerability’ and ‘vulnerable group’ have increasingly gained prominence in academic literature, policymaking, humanitarian debates and everyday discourses on migration and asylum. Its ... [more ▼]

The notions of ‘vulnerability’ and ‘vulnerable group’ have increasingly gained prominence in academic literature, policymaking, humanitarian debates and everyday discourses on migration and asylum. Its popularity, not limited to this field, has often led academics and practitioners to use ‘vulnerability’ as a self-explanatory condition or phenomenon. However, vulnerability is neither conceptually straight-forward nor politically and morally neutral. Multiple definitions and operationalizations of vulnerability exist across and within different fields of research and practice, without a common and systematic understanding of the concept. The notion of vulnerability can also be instrumentilised as a tool for discrimination, stigmatization, control, exclusion or even reduction of humanitarian assistance, when access to protection is restricted to ‘the most vulnerable’. In the context of the H2020 project MIMY (n°870700), this paper examines the multiplicities and hidden pitfalls behind different conceptualizations and uses of vulnerability and critically reflects on their implication for the study and governance of migration. By unpacking this concept, we hope to highlight both limitations and opportunities enclosed in the notion of vulnerability and encourage migration scholars to understand, address and take a stand before its complexities. Based on these considerations, a multilevel conceptual model of vulnerability in the specific context of migration is proposed. The model aims to capture several types and understandings of vulnerability and how these are (re)produced at different levels and by different actors, including migrants themselves. Particular attention is paid to migrants’ biographical and psychological experiences of vulnerability and how policy and political frameworks may affect them. [less ▲]

Mixed Methods to Empower Migrant Youth in Vulnerable Conditions: a place-based, migrant-centered international project

Scientific Conference (2020, July 02)

In this methodological paper, we will present a newly established international and interdisciplinary research project focusing on empowering young migrants in vulnerable conditions and supporting ... [more ▼]

In this methodological paper, we will present a newly established international and interdisciplinary research project focusing on empowering young migrants in vulnerable conditions and supporting integration strategies within the EU in a unique and comprehensive mixed methods research design combining secondary analysis with qualitative empirical data. The triangulation of results from different sources and methods will help to provide a deeper insight into the integration processes from the perspectives of migrants, host nationals and experts. In the framework of MIMY, financed by H2020 and comprising 12 consortium members from 11 disciplines and 9 European countries, we will focus on various challenges of integration strategies of young migrants in vulnerable conditions, considering different sectors from the perspective of different actors, at macro-, meso- and micro-levels. This will help to explain the successes and failures of integration over migrants’ life courses as well as the long-term consequences for migrant communities and the hosting society. The research design of MIMY follows several steps: 1) desk research - literature review, content analysis, mapping exercises, 2) quantitative secondary data analysis, policy and discourse analysis, 3) qualitative empirical studies, and 4) synthesizing and synergizing all findings and drawing policy recommendations. The present paper will outline how this project integrates qualitative and quantitative methods by using an innovative, multi-method approach (e.g. policy analyses, delphi study, focus groups, in-depth qualitative interviews, participatory action research) in order to explore vulnerability and resilience of young migrants in cross-national perspectives combining policy analysis with demographic, sociological, psychological, discursive, and ethnographic analysis. [less ▲]