Young People of African Descent in the EU: Exploring Narratives, Socio-Economic Factors and Policy Impact to Bridge Realities

Abstract

This thesis explores the experiences of young people of African descent in Europe taking into account a socio-economic perspective as well as the study of policies. Considering the migration scenario in Europe, the first chapter investigates the integration process of the group in object. With a focus on the field terminology, the experiences of second-generation immigrants are further expounded through narratives drawn from Afro-descendant literature specifically from Italy. Throughout the dissertation, the analysis of the Italian context is the common thread which allows for a closer view. The following chapter provides a general overview of the European scenario and employs the lenses of education and employment to comprehend more about the presence of second-generation immigrants at large. Zooming into the Italian context and then comparing it to the United Kingdom in the frame of onward migration, data and narratives are mirrored with the aim of providing a wholesome representation of opportunities and challenges that young people of African descent encounter. It is in the third and final chapter that existing policies are investigated and an analysis on the role of governments and organizations is provided. Such study is made to understand the effectiveness in addressing challenges and promoting inclusivity for young people of African descent in Europe. Overall, the thesis aims at participating in the current discourse on a demographic that is growing significantly, thus becoming more and more relevant, trying to give room to the reality of young people of African descent with their challenges but also successes which scholarly writing often fail to represent.