Perceptions of young oasis dwellers on migration and its potential for the development of the Todgha Valley, Morocco[Perceptions des jeunes oasiens sur l'émigration et son potentiel pour le développement de la vallée du Todgha, Maroc]

In the oases of southern Morocco, migration is a determining factor in socio-economic development. Young people in these regions, often with limited resources, frequently choose to migrate. Understanding their migration trajectories, which exhibit significant similarities, is essential to identifying local development challenges, as these choices influence community dynamics and political decisions. This article aims to: i) Explore the attitudes of young oasis dwellers toward migration; ii) Analyze their perception of the future of oases and the role of migrants in local development. Between 2020 and 2023, 82 surveys were conducted with young people from eight villages in the Todgha Valley, along with 18 semi-structured interviews with older community members. The majority of young oasis dwellers have a conflicted attitude toward migration, revealing a complex decision-making process influenced by personal and social factors. Migration goes beyond mere displacement; it affects all socio-economic and environmental aspects of individuals' lives. The involvement of young migrants in the development of their communities, through transnational practices or collective projects, is evidence of this impact. These findings could inform local development policies by incorporating the perspectives of young people.