MYCP Policy Lab: Young Migrants Worldwide Invited to Shape Climate, Migration, AI and Future of Work Policy

Young people with lived experience of migration and displacement are being invited to take part in the Migration Youth and Children Platform (MYCP) Policy Lab, an online programme designed to bring youth perspectives into international discussions surrounding climate change, migration, artificial intelligence, labour policy and the future of work.

Under the theme “Climate, Migration, AI & the Future of Work,” the MYCP Policy Lab brings together young people from around the world to learn directly from policymakers, international experts and practitioners while developing practical policy recommendations.

The programme is particularly focused on a major global challenge: as climate change transforms economies, livelihoods and patterns of human mobility, young migrants are among those directly affected by changing labour markets and climate-related displacement, yet their perspectives are often underrepresented in the development of policies that affect them.

Through the Policy Lab, participants will have an opportunity to move beyond simply discussing these challenges. They will work collaboratively to develop a policy brief focused on climate-labour policy and migrant youth inclusion, with the strongest work contributing to MYCP’s international advocacy.

The programme is delivered entirely online, opening participation to eligible young people from around the world.

About the MYCP Policy Lab

The MYCP Policy Lab is an interactive youth policy programme developed by the Migration Youth and Children Platform (MYCP).

Rather than functioning only as a series of lectures or presentations, the Policy Lab combines learning, discussion, teamwork and policy development.

Participants will engage with experts and other young people before working in teams to translate what they have learned into concrete policy recommendations.

The programme brings young participants into conversations with high-level policymakers and experts, including individuals with experience across international organisations, the United Nations system, the World Bank, academia, medicine and advocacy.

Through this combination of expert knowledge and youth experience, MYCP aims to create an environment where young migrants can contribute meaningfully to discussions that influence international migration and climate policy.

Why Climate Change, Migration and the Future of Work Matter

Climate change is not only an environmental challenge. Its consequences extend into employment, migration, health, education, gender equality and economic opportunity.

Changes in climate conditions can affect where people are able to live, which industries can provide sustainable employment and what types of jobs will exist in the future.

For migrants and young people on the move, these transformations can create additional challenges.

Climate-related disruption can contribute to displacement and migration, while changes in economies and labour markets can determine whether young migrants have access to secure and inclusive employment opportunities.

At the same time, emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, are transforming the nature of work.

The MYCP Policy Lab places young migrants within this wider conversation about climate, migration, AI and employment, giving participants an opportunity to examine these interconnected issues and contribute ideas for more inclusive policies.

What Participants Will Do During the MYCP Policy Lab

A major component of the programme is collaborative policy development.

Participants will work in teams to develop a policy brief addressing climate-labour policy and migrant youth inclusion.

This provides participants with an opportunity to apply what they learn during the expert sessions and discussions to a practical policy-making exercise.

Instead of simply learning about international policy processes, participants will experience elements of the policy-development process themselves.

Teams will explore challenges, discuss potential solutions and formulate recommendations that can contribute to broader advocacy surrounding migrant youth.

The programme culminates in final team presentations before a jury.

The winning policy brief will be published on the MYCP website and incorporated into MYCP’s advocacy for COP31, providing an avenue for participants’ ideas to reach broader international policy discussions.

What Participants Will Gain

Participation in the MYCP Policy Lab offers several learning, professional development and networking opportunities.

1. Expert Insights Into Climate, Labour and Migration

Participants will explore the relationship between climate change, employment and migration through perspectives provided by international organisations, activists and practitioners.

This can help young people understand how these issues intersect and how policies in one area may influence outcomes in another.

2. Perspectives Across Health, Gender and Education

The programme takes an intersectional approach rather than examining migration solely as an isolated policy issue.

Participants can expect perspectives relating to areas including:

• Health
• Gender
• Education
• Migration
• Climate change
• Labour and employment
• Youth inclusion
• International policy development

MYCP states that perspectives will include specialists associated with organisations such as UN Women, the World Bank and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

3. Practical Policy Development Experience

Participants will have the opportunity to work directly on the development of a policy brief.

This provides practical exposure to activities such as identifying policy challenges, working collaboratively, considering evidence and developing recommendations.

For young people interested in international relations, migration, sustainable development, advocacy or public policy, this can provide valuable introductory experience in policy development.

4. Certificate of Participation

Participants will receive a certificate of participation.

The certificate can serve as formal recognition of involvement in the programme and may be included on a participant’s CV or professional profile.

5. International Youth Network

Another significant aspect of the programme is the opportunity to connect with young people from different parts of the world who share an interest in migration and international policy.

Participants can build relationships with peers who are interested in contributing to migration policy, youth advocacy and international development.

6. Opportunity to Contribute to COP31 Advocacy

The programme is designed to lead to a tangible policy output.

The winning team’s policy brief will be published by MYCP and used as part of the organisation’s advocacy for COP31.

This gives participants an opportunity to contribute ideas that may form part of wider advocacy concerning climate change, labour and migrant youth inclusion.

MYCP Policy Lab Programme Schedule

The Policy Lab is structured around two principal days of online activities followed by separate final presentations.

Day 1: Introduction, Policymaking and Intersectional Approaches

The first day of the Policy Lab is scheduled to include:

• An introduction to the Migration Youth and Children Platform
• An introduction to the Policy Lab and its objectives
• Exploration of the policymaking process from the perspective of international organisations
• Discussion of community policy programmes
• Examination of intersectional approaches to policy

This opening day is designed to provide participants with foundational knowledge that they can use during the collaborative policy-development process.

Day 2: Thematic Learning and Policy Brief Development

The second day moves further into thematic discussions and practical teamwork.

Activities are expected to include:

• Thematic sessions addressing health, gender and education
• Team breakout sessions
• Collaborative policy brief development
• Discussion of prizes
• Information about next steps following the Lab

The team breakout sessions will provide participants with an opportunity to collaborate directly with other young people and begin translating discussions from the programme into policy recommendations.

Final Presentations

Following the two main Policy Lab days, teams will participate in final presentations.

According to MYCP, the presentations are scheduled for 17 or 18 October, with the final date to be confirmed.

During the final stage:

• Participating teams will present their work before a jury.
• Teams will showcase their policy proposals and recommendations.
• A winning policy brief will be selected.
• The winning brief will contribute to MYCP’s COP31 advocacy.

This final presentation stage adds a practical dimension to the programme by requiring participants to communicate and defend the ideas developed through their collaborative work.

Who Can Apply for the MYCP Policy Lab?

The opportunity is intended for young people on the move from anywhere in the world.

MYCP particularly encourages participation from young people with lived experience of climate migration.

Importantly, applicants are not required to have an established background in public policy.

According to MYCP, no previous policy experience is required. The organisation emphasises curiosity and commitment as sufficient foundations for participating in the programme.

This makes the Policy Lab potentially accessible to young people from a variety of educational, professional and personal backgrounds.

Applicants may therefore be interested in areas such as migration, climate change, youth advocacy, sustainable development, international relations, public policy, human rights, education, gender equality, health or the future of work without necessarily having formal qualifications in those fields.

Is Previous Policy Experience Required?

No formal policy background is listed as a requirement for participation.

This is an important feature of the MYCP Policy Lab because policy opportunities can sometimes appear inaccessible to young people without academic or professional experience in government, international relations or public policy.

MYCP instead describes curiosity and commitment as sufficient.

Participants will learn about policymaking during the programme and then have the opportunity to apply that knowledge through collaborative policy brief development.

Is the MYCP Policy Lab Open Internationally?

Yes. MYCP describes the programme as being for young people on the move from anywhere in the world.

The online format further supports international participation by removing the requirement to travel to a physical venue.

Applicants should nevertheless review the official application form and programme information carefully for any additional participation requirements, scheduling considerations or eligibility conditions.

About the Migration Youth and Children Platform

The Migration Youth and Children Platform (MYCP) works to increase the participation of children and young people in international migration policymaking.

MYCP operates by, with and for children and young people on the move and forms part of the Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY).

MGCY serves as an official, formal and self-organised space through which children and young people under the age of 30 can contribute to and engage in certain United Nations intergovernmental and related policy processes.

MYCP’s broader mission is to bridge the gap between children and youth and the United Nations system, particularly on migration-related issues.

The organisation seeks to promote meaningful youth participation across four major areas:

1. Policy and Advocacy – supporting youth engagement with migration and sustainable development policymaking.
2. Capacity Building – helping children and young people develop the knowledge and capabilities necessary to participate effectively.
3. Youth Action – supporting youth-led engagement and initiatives.
4. Knowledge – strengthening access to information, research and knowledge relevant to children, youth and migration.

Through these areas of work, MYCP aims to ensure that young people affected by migration are not simply discussed within international policy processes but have opportunities to participate in them.

MYCP Policy Lab Dates and Format

The official MYCP webpage currently lists the following programme information:

• Format: Online
• Policy Lab: 10–11 October 2025
• Final presentations: 17 or 18 October, with the final date to be confirmed
• Application status displayed by MYCP: Applications open now

Prospective applicants should note that there is an apparent date inconsistency on the official webpage. Although the page currently states that applications are open, it lists the Policy Lab dates as 10–11 October 2025. Applicants are therefore strongly advised to verify the applicable programme year and dates directly with MYCP before applying.

Application Deadline

No specific application deadline is currently stated on the official MYCP Policy Lab webpage.

The page states that applications are open now, but does not provide a closing date.

Because the published programme dates and current application status appear inconsistent, prospective applicants should check the official MYCP website or application form for the latest information before submitting an application.

How to Apply for the MYCP Policy Lab

Interested candidates can apply online through the application form available on the official MYCP Policy Lab webpage.

Applicants should:

1. Visit the official MYCP Policy Lab webpage.
2. Review the programme information and eligibility criteria.
3. Navigate to the Apply Now section.
4. Open the online application form.
5. Complete all required information carefully.
6. Review the information provided before submission.
7. Submit the application according to the instructions in the form.

Because no application deadline is displayed on the programme page, interested applicants should avoid unnecessary delays if the application form remains open.

APPLY NOW

Why the MYCP Policy Lab Matters for Young Migrants

The MYCP Policy Lab is built around the principle that young people affected by migration should have opportunities to contribute to policies concerning their lives and futures.

Climate change, technological transformation and changing labour markets are increasingly interconnected. These changes can have significant consequences for migrants and displaced communities, particularly younger generations preparing to enter or already participating in the workforce.

Creating opportunities for young migrants to participate in these discussions can bring lived experience into policy conversations that might otherwise be dominated by institutional or technical perspectives.

The Policy Lab therefore combines capacity building with participation. Young people learn about policymaking while simultaneously developing recommendations that can feed into MYCP’s broader advocacy.

Conclusion

The MYCP Policy Lab on Climate, Migration, AI & the Future of Work provides an international online space for young people on the move to learn about policymaking, exchange perspectives with experts and peers, and contribute to policy recommendations concerning some of the most significant challenges affecting migration and employment.

Through expert sessions, thematic discussions, collaborative teamwork and policy brief development, participants can strengthen their understanding of the climate-labour-migration nexus while gaining practical exposure to international policy development.

The programme is particularly notable for welcoming young people without requiring previous policy experience and for placing lived experience at the centre of discussions concerning migrant youth.

Participants will also have the opportunity to receive a certificate, expand their international networks and develop a policy brief, with the winning submission published by MYCP and incorporated into its COP31 advocacy.

However, prospective applicants should carefully verify the programme dates before applying. The official MYCP webpage currently states that applications are open while displaying the Policy Lab dates as 10–11 October 2025, with final presentations scheduled for 17 or 18 October. No specific application deadline is currently published.

Interested young people should therefore consult the official MYCP Policy Lab webpage and application form for the latest programme information before submitting an application.

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