Abstract ID: 3.11289 | Accepted as Talk | Talk | TBA | TBA

Mountain youth in geopolitically unstable settings face multiple challenges that limit their potential and ultimately drive migration. In many mountain regions, political conflicts, environmental degradation, and economic crises create an environment where young people feel powerless and incapable of shaping their future. This learned helplessness results in declining engagement in local sustainability efforts and a growing exodus within and outside the country. This presentation explores the intersection of geopolitics and youth migration, highlighting case studies from the Euro-Mediterranean and Central Asian regions. It will examine how external pressures, such as political instability, conflict over resources, and exclusion from decision-making processes, undermine youth agency and sustainable mountain development. This session will present innovative strategies to empower mountain youth, leveraging digital media and advocacy networks to provide alternatives to migration. The discussion will emphasize the role of youth-led initiatives, social media engagement, and regional cooperation in reversing learned helplessness and fostering resilience. The goal is to shift the narrative from forced migration to deliberate rootedness and belonging to mountain communities.