27. Immigrant and Refugee Youth: Integration and Transition to Adulthood
SUMMARY
Organizers:
James S. Frideres
University of Calgary
CANADA
frideres@acs.ucalgary.ca
Lori Wilkinson
University of Alberta
CANADA
law24@ualberta.ca
Description:
The transition to adulthood for immigrant and refugee youth is similar to the experiences of many native-born youth. Nevertheless, "growing up" for many newcomers presents unique circumstances. Language acquisition, learning new cultures, and finding friends are some immediate integration activities. But there are other, often overlooked, long-term aspects of the transition to adulthood. This workshop examines the process of integration of immigrant and refugee youth into different institutional spheres, including education, labour market, health, as well as examining the social issues that they encounter, and discusses some unique aspects of their transition to adulthood. It features 1) research evidence of youth integration into various sectors, including education, health, cultural and employment, and their linkage to transitions into adulthood; 2) immigrant and refugee youth perceptions of their integration and the process of "growing up"; 3) the role of service providers and NGOs in helping negotiate these new territories; and 4) examples of public policy and government initiatives that may help them integrate into various institutions in their new societies.
Framing questions for the workshop include: 1. What is the integration experience of immigrant and refugee youth? 2. What differentiates their transition to adulthood? 3. How do they differ from native-born youth? 4. What role do NGOs and service providers play in aiding their integration? 5. What types of policies, relevant to youth integration and adulthood transitions, exist? Researchers, policy makers and service providers will participate, and will conclude by discussing a comparative research agenda on the integration and transition aspects of immigrant and refugee youth.
Presenters
James S. Frideres, University of Calgary, CANADA (chair)
Madeline Kalbach, University of Calgary, CANADA
Warren Kalbach, University of Calgary, CANADA
Bernhard Nauck
, Chemnitz University, GERMANY 
