Integrating Middle East and North Africa Unaccompanied Minors Refugees and Asylum Seekers through Mentoring: Exploring Eu-Based Research to Inform Future Applications in Portugal

Abstract

In 2015, an increased migration movement into Europe generated a European Refugee Crisis. Adolescents often migrate unaccompanied by a caregiver and face particular risk during the different phases of migration. Recently, Portugal hosted the fourth highest number of Middle East and North Africa unaccompanied minors (UM) among EU countries. Thus, it is relevant to explore peer reviewed interventions among EU state members to inform the development of future Portuguese-based programs aiming to support the integration of these citizens. This review aimed to analyse mentoring as a relevant integration tool for UM refugees arriving to Portugal. Mentoring was identified as low-cost strategy with low to moderate positive results for youth at risk of developing psychological, social, and behavioural problems. Mentoring is starting to gain momentum within the EU countries receiving more refugee citizens integrated into the EU relocation program. This review can inform social education technicians and the staff involved in the Portuguese refugee relocation program and encourage the discussion on the creation of Portuguese-based mentoring programs for the studied population.