The pattern has remained unchanged during recent years, although the number of unaccompanied children travelling to EU countries has increased. A majority of them had to face situation of wars, conflicts and destitute in their countries of origin. Some of them lost their parents and family members during long and strenuous journeys.

This panel aims at deepening the knowledge about the surrounding reality of unaccompanied minors and children in their itineraries through transit countries, countries of first arrive, and countries of final destination. There is a need of clarifying the multiplicity of semantic definitions that characterize the phenomenon, and which imply diverse philosophical assumptions. The legal definition of age, the scientific evidence about childhood and the functional limits of emancipation are all areas of observation to be dealt with.

Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary analyses are encouraged concerning quantitative, sociological, psychological and legal approaches . The geographical context relates to the access for migrant children to EU’s southern borders, such as those of Spain and Italy. There is a need to assess how host institutions provide support for the integration of the unaccompanied minors until they reach the legal age of becoming adults.  

Attention of the panel is focussed of procedural processes of reception and settlement in their local and regional communities of entry. Papers evaluating the effectiveness, or lack of it, in the reception systems and their compliance with national, European and international standards, could look into the following areas.

First interventions in the reception country (Spain or Italy): The inputs of the first intervening actors (polices, regional or judicial authorities), and stakeholders (civil association or altruistic organizations).
Testing of the natural age, linkages with relatives and friends. Family reunification. Married unaccompanied minors.
Caring for vulnerable migrants. Psychological assistance and reallocation in adequate centers.
How minors pursue their ‘migration project’. Former life in the country of birth and education in the countries of transit. Travel experiences.
How education in the host countries can provide wellbeing and living motivation. Analyses on educational programs.
How young people lived the transition to 'adulthood' while being subject to immigration control. Relationships with their native peers.
How provided education fit in the future plans of young migrants and can prevent their 'disappearance' in the illegality or marginalized world. Vocational training and support.
Resident permits and housing schemes.
Human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Policy proposals concerning contemporary immigration systems and asylum governance of unaccompanied children lives.

Keywords: Unaccompanied migrant children, irregular immigration, migration routes, asylum, youth, migration strategies, health, education, Spain, Italy, European Union.

The pattern has remained unchanged during recent years, although the number of unaccompanied children travelling to EU countries has increased. A majority of them had to face situation of wars, conflicts and destitute in their countries of origin. Some of them lost their parents and family members during long and strenuous journeys.

This panel aims at deepening the knowledge about the surrounding reality of unaccompanied minors and children in their itineraries through transit countries, countries of first arrive, and countries of final destination. There is a need of clarifying the multiplicity of semantic definitions that characterize the phenomenon, and which imply diverse philosophical assumptions. The legal definition of age, the scientific evidence about childhood and the functional limits of emancipation are all areas of observation to be dealt with.

Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary analyses are encouraged concerning quantitative, sociological, psychological and legal approaches . The geographical context relates to the access for migrant children to EU’s southern borders, such as those of Spain and Italy. There is a need to assess how host institutions provide support for the integration of the unaccompanied minors until they reach the legal age of becoming adults.  

Attention of the panel is focussed of procedural processes of reception and settlement in their local and regional communities of entry. Papers evaluating the effectiveness, or lack of it, in the reception systems and their compliance with national, European and international standards, could look into the following areas.

First interventions in the reception country (Spain or Italy): The inputs of the first intervening actors (polices, regional or judicial authorities), and stakeholders (civil association or altruistic organizations).
Testing of the natural age, linkages with relatives and friends. Family reunification. Married unaccompanied minors.
Caring for vulnerable migrants. Psychological assistance and reallocation in adequate centers.
How minors pursue their ‘migration project’. Former life in the country of birth and education in the countries of transit. Travel experiences.
How education in the host countries can provide wellbeing and living motivation. Analyses on educational programs.
How young people lived the transition to 'adulthood' while being subject to immigration control. Relationships with their native peers.
How provided education fit in the future plans of young migrants and can prevent their 'disappearance' in the illegality or marginalized world. Vocational training and support.
Resident permits and housing schemes.
Human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Policy proposals concerning contemporary immigration systems and asylum governance of unaccompanied children lives.

Keywords: Unaccompanied migrant children, irregular immigration, migration routes, asylum, youth, migration strategies, health, education, Spain, Italy, European Union.