The closing event of the three-year research project LYMAS (Life Strategies of Young Migrants in Aging Societies) recently took place in Berlin. The project essentially examines the effects of social aging processes on the lives of young people in Europe - especially young migrants.
The focus is on how life in “aging” societies affects young people - individually, locally, and transnationally. Using case studies in Germany, Austria, Poland, and Switzerland, the research team analyzes how young people living in migration and mobility contexts are influenced by the social conditions of aging and what strategies they develop to deal with them.
The aim is to incorporate the findings into the design of local, national, and European policies in order to better support young people and mitigate potential social inequalities.
The two-day closing event was divided into two parts:
On the first day, the focus was on the film program “Stories in Motion” at Berlin's Sinema Transtopia. Short films by young filmmakers from the four partner countries, which were created during the LYMAS film workshops at the beginning of the year, were shown.
The films offered personal and creative insights into the lives of young people in the context of mobility and demographic change. Afterwards, the filmmakers discussed their perspectives and experiences with the research team and the audience.
The second day at Refugio Berlin was devoted to scientific discussion. After an introduction by Edward Omeni (DeZIM), there were two keynotes by Helma Lutz and Adam Mrozowicki, as well as several paper sessions.
The project team from the Center for Social & Health Innovation (CSHI) was well represented at the event. Lukas Kerschbaumer (Head of the MCI bachelor's program in Social, Health & Public Management) attended in person and moderated the first paper session. Melanie Fleisch (project assistant CSHI) joined digitally and presented her paper as part of a virtual contribution.
In addition, Anouk van Amerongen (teaching & research assistant CSHI), Birgit Raffler (assistant & project manager department of Social Work), and Laura Feith González (teaching & research assistant department of Social Work) also participated, bringing the interdisciplinary perspective of the project to the scientific exchange.
The project has enjoyed close international cooperation: workshops with the project partners were held in 2023, 2024, and 2025 at their respective locations in Innsbruck, Wrocław, Neuchâtel, and Berlin. The Berlin workshop marked the joint conclusion of a three-year intensive research and exchange phase.
Impressions from the conclusion of the European research project LYMAS in Berlin © Edward Omeni
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