Irregular Migration, Migrant Smuggling and Human Trafficking

Introduction to Module 13: Irregular Migration, Migrant Smuggling and Human Trafficking

This module introduces students to four interconnected topics in migration: irregular migration, migrant smuggling, human trafficking, and promoting regular migration pathways. The module covers the rising complexities and interconnections of these migration issues, emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions and improved migration policies. Students will learn to define and distinguish between these concepts, explore why people migrate through dangerous routes, and understand the challenges faced by migrants, governments, humanitarian actors, and countries of origin. They will also discuss how countries can create additional regular migration pathways.

Learning Objective

Students will learn about four interlinked topics in migration: irregular migration, migrant smuggling, human trafficking and promoting regular migration pathways. They will be able to define and distinguish between each of them, and discuss how they are all interconnected. They will learn about why more people are migrating through dangerous, irregular migration routes, and the challenges this creates for migrants in an irregular situation, governments, humanitarian actors and countries of origin. Finally, students will discuss how countries can create additional regular migration pathways.

WMR Chapter Focus

This module will draw on Chapter 10 “Human Trafficking in Migration Pathways: Trends, Challenges and New Forms of Cooperation” in the World Migration Report 2022, and on the Global Overview and Regional Developments chapter of the World Migration Report 2024 (chapters 2 and 3).

Proposed Schedule

1-2 class periods (50-100 minutes) plus independent student work.

• Class period one: introduction, student resource sheet; text-based and data-based questions
• Class period two: Module One Scenario Interactive Activity: “Human trafficking prevention campaign.”

Student Assessment

There are several assessment options in this module and teachers may use some or all of them.

• Understanding the Basics:

  • Questions based on the Student Resource Sheets

• Going Further:

  • Text case study: Migration and the lottery of birth
  • Data case study: Types of human trafficking and their geographic distribution
  • Interactive scenario: Human trafficking prevention campaign videos

Evidence of Learning

Students will discuss why more people are embarking on irregular migration journeys, will be able to articulate challenges created by irregular migration, and will be able to distinguish between migrant smuggling and human trafficking. They will also be able to discuss different areas in society that can benefit from more regular migration pathways. They will work together in groups to examine different human trafficking prevention campaign videos. Students will complete an oral presentation outlining different warning signs of human trafficking, and will create their own campaigns to prevent human trafficking.

Starter Activity

Listen to the full story from Deborah on the Telling the Real Story website, and discuss the difficulties that Deborah faced during her journey to reach Europe.