Abstract
This study examines how frequently and within what context United Nations member states address children in forced migration in their submissions to the 2022 International Migration Review Forum (IMRF), with a focus on young children and early childhood education and care programs. Despite the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) of 2018 emphasizing child-sensitive approaches, comprehensive national documentation is sparse. Using qualitative content analysis, this study examines 42 IMRF reports submitted prior to the 2022 forum. The study reveals how member states address children in migration within the reports, with common GCM themes frequently mentioned including: data and information collection, legal and identity considerations, service and program availability, and governance and cooperation efforts. However, a key finding highlights the near-complete absence of direct reference to Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), with only two countries (Morocco and Turkmenistan) explicitly mentioning early childhood programs. Furthermore, considering the lack of evidence pertaining specifically to young children, recommendations include integrated ECEC services with efforts toward maintaining psychological support within migration policies impacting young children, and enhanced assessment methodologies, consistent reporting, and services prioritizing children's voices in decision-making, rights, and well-being. This study contributes to the discourse on young children in forced migration and ECEC to offer a foundation for future international collaboration and policy development efforts. This study examines how frequently and within what context United Nations member states address children in forced migration in their submissions to the 2022 International Migration Review Forum (IMRF), with a focus on young children and early childhood education and care programs. Despite the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) of 2018 emphasizing child-sensitive approaches, comprehensive national documentation is sparse. Using qualitative content analysis, this study examines 42 IMRF reports submitted prior to the 2022 forum. The study reveals how member states address children in migration within the reports, with common GCM themes frequently mentioned including: data and information collection, legal and identity considerations, service and program availability, and governance and cooperation efforts. However, a key finding highlights the near-complete absence of direct reference to Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), with only two countries (Morocco and Turkmenistan) explicitly mentioning early childhood programs. Furthermore, considering the lack of evidence pertaining specifically to young children, recommendations include integrated ECEC services with efforts toward maintaining psychological support within migration policies impacting young children, and enhanced assessment methodologies, consistent reporting, and services prioritizing children's voices in decision-making, rights, and well-being. This study contributes to the discourse on young children in forced migration and ECEC to offer a foundation for future international collaboration and policy development efforts.