Pathways for effective engagement of the youth in climate and migration advocacy

Abstract

Climate change and migration are increasingly interlinked global challenges, with particularly acute implications for the Mediterranean region. Despite youth are among the most exposed to these implications and expected to lead future responses, limited empirical research has examined how they perceive, interpret, and act upon the climate–migration nexus in diverse national contexts. This study addresses this gap by analyzing youth perceptions and behavioral dispositions across Italy, Morocco, and Lebanon, three Mediterranean countries with distinct socio-political and environmental settings. A structured questionnaire comprising 120 variables was administered to 1425 university students. The analysis proceeded in four stages: descriptive synthesis identified major trends, contingency testing assessed cross-country variations, structural equation modeling explored relationships between climate change awareness, migration perception, policy trust, and climate action engagement, and hierarchical clustering revealed youth attitudinal profiles. Findings reveal that media exposure outweighs formal education in shaping perceptions, though education remains key to deeper awareness. Climate change awareness significantly predicts climate engagement, particularly when mediated by trust in institutional responses. Demographics and national context significantly condition attitudes and behavior. Three attitudinal profiles emerged, skeptical pragmatists, informed adaptors, and committed advocates, highlighting the need for tailored engagement strategies. The findings underscore the need to strengthen policy credibility, enhance transdisciplinary education, and invest in youth-specific communication strategies. This study offers empirical grounding for inclusive, youth-centered approaches to climate and migration policy design.