São Paulo – With debates and the participation of prominent migrant artists in the cultural scene of São Paulo, the Immigration Museum and IOM, the UN Migration Agency, celebrated migrant youth at the event “#FutureConnection (#ConexãoFuturo): Pathways to Integration and Opportunities”, held on September 6. Amongst the participants there were the Bolivian hip-hop duo Kantupac, formed by the couple Bryan De Lapaz and Abi Llanque, the Congolese musician Leonardo Matumona, the Iranian singer and composer Mah Mooni and the Venezuelan DJ Manuelito. The artist Estranho Graffiti also held a graffiti mural workshop, focusing on migrant youth experience in the city.

“This is a unique opportunity to raise the voice of young migrants, an essential segment for economic growth and cultural diversity in a global city like São Paulo. We are supporting the strengthening of capacities of a population that is fundamental to the social development of our country,” explained IOM project coordinator Victoria Oliveira.

Almost 80 people participated in the artistic interventions and panels on best practices for socioeconomic inclusion of young migrants and ways to strengthen partnerships between public and private sectors actors for the long-term

empowerment of these young people. In addition to young people of various nationalities, representatives from the state and municipal governments of São Paulo, SENAI-SP, International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) were present, as well as partners organizations from civil society, Educação Sem Fronteiras and Instituto Adus.

“I think the biggest challenge for young migrants in Brazil is the language. I really appreciated the Portuguese classes [given through the initiative of IOM and its partners], they were very good and are helping me a lot now that I got a scholarship to study nursing,” said 23-year-old Venezuelan Nickolle. “I'm the only Venezuelan in nursing classes, but this is fine because the Brazilian people are very welcoming. [During the vocational classes] we were stimulated to build a life plan, and it helped me open my mind and see what I really want for the future,” she said. Nickolle was one of the 83 participants who graduated from the Portuguese as welcome language and life plan courses promoted by the NGO Educação Sem Fronteiras in partnership with IOM.

INTEGRATION - In the first half of 2024, IOM supported the integration of more than 800 young migrants in São Paulo, focusing on digital inclusion, gender and support for LGBTQIAPN+ people, ensuring their access to formal education and professional training. With the support of more than 30 private companies, more than 300 job opportunities were created in various sectors, such as technology, logistics, hospital care and retail. IOM also supported the participation of young migrants in vocational and Portuguese language courses, also provided support for the recognition of certificates and obtaining scholarships.

“It was an opportunity to learn about my rights and be respected. With the courses, I had the privilege of improving my knowledge, I learned – and I am still learning – about digital technology, human rights and 3D machines”, said the young Angolan Afonso, 17 years old. “A man cannot limit himself in life, whoever has knowledge, has prosperity”, he added.

The event “#FutureConnection: Pathways to Integration and Opportunities” was held within the scope of the projects New Lives (Novas Vidas), financed by the Western Union Foundation (WUF), and Opportunities (Oportunidades), financed by USAID, the United States Agency for International Development, both implemented by the IOM.