To mark International Youth Day, EUDiF is launching a new Learning by Doing dossier on youth diaspora engagement. This year’s International Youth Day theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”, speaks directly to the experience of many diaspora youth: young people navigating different realities while carrying shared hopes for dignity, opportunity, inclusion and meaningful participation.

Agustín Searle Vial, author of the publication and EUDiF’s first Diaspora Youth Intern, asks Mary Otieno, one of EUDiF’s current interns, to reflect on the publication and her own experience of “learning by doing” at EUDiF.

Agustín Searle Vial: The publication looks at diaspora youth as policy shapers, implementers and innovators. As a current EUDiF intern, which of these roles resonates most with your own experience so far, and why?

Mary Otieno: The role of implementer resonates with me the most because it best reflects my day-to-day experience at EUDiF. Throughout my internship, I have contributed to a range of activities, from comparing diaspora engagement policies and strategies across countries and updating EUDiF’s knowledge databases to supporting communications and participating in project activities.

I also had the opportunity to observe the CDL Somalia peer exchange mentorship programme, which has given me valuable insight into how diaspora engagement moves from ideas to practical collaboration. One thing I am beginning to appreciate is how connected everything is. Whether it is research, communications or project work, each contributes in its own way to strengthening diaspora engagement.

Working on diaspora policy comparisons is also helping me see that research does not just sit on a shelf; it helps inform conversations and can influence how people think about diaspora engagement. So far, my internship has really reflected the idea of “learning by doing”.

ASV: I am glad to hear that! The Diaspora Youth Internship is designed to bring out this implementation role, both through interns’ daily tasks and through their individual projects. EUDiF often speaks about working with diaspora youth, not only for diaspora youth. What has this meant in practice during your internship?

MO: For me, working with diaspora youth has meant feeling like a valued member of the team from the very beginning. Throughout my internship, I have had the opportunity to take part in internal team meetings as well as conversations with external stakeholders, where we share EUDiF’s work and exchange ideas on diaspora engagement.

Being part of these discussions has helped me understand how collaboration happens in practice and has made me feel that I can contribute, even as an intern. I have also really appreciated the opportunities to keep learning through training sessions and by participating in different initiatives and projects. That balance between learning and contributing is what has made this internship such a rewarding experience.

ASV: One of the things we have learned through the internship programme is that the EUDiF team also learns a lot from each person who joins us. These learnings often come from the many “hats” diaspora youth wear at once – as students, professionals, community members, volunteers, migrants and diasporans. How do these different identities influence the way you approach your work at EUDiF?

MO: This question really resonates with me because it reflects my own journey. Like many diaspora youth, I wear different hats every day. I am a young professional, a member of the Kenyan and African diaspora, and someone who is passionate about migration and development.

Working with EUDiF has shown me how collaboration across countries, institutions and diaspora communities can create meaningful change. At the same time, volunteering with a migrant women’s association here in Italy has given me a different perspective. It has allowed me to meet women from different backgrounds, listen to their stories and better understand some of the everyday realities migrants face.

I often find myself drawing on both experiences. For me, these different roles do not compete; they complement one another. They help me see diaspora engagement not only as a professional field, but also as something deeply personal and community driven.

ASV: The publication argues that diaspora youth are not only future leaders, but already active contributors to migration and development. Based on your own experience, what do you think institutions should do better to recognise and support youth expertise?

MO: My experience has reinforced the idea that diaspora youth are already making meaningful contributions when they are trusted with responsibility and included as partners. I think institutions should move beyond viewing young people as participants to be consulted occasionally and instead involve them throughout research, project design, implementation and dialogue processes.

Creating opportunities for mentorship, professional development and continuous learning is equally important because it enables young people to contribute with greater confidence and expertise. During my internship, I have had the opportunity to take on meaningful responsibilities while also participating in training sessions and collaborative activities.

That combination has reinforced my belief that investing in youth is not simply about preparing future leaders; it is about recognising the expertise, perspectives and energy that young people already bring to migration and development today.