Abstract
People, goods and capital move across international borders. The effects of trade and capital flows have been measured and, although controversial are widely known.
Flows of people and their impact on development, however, are much less understood. This is particularly crucial as migration becomes an increasingly important and controversial issue on the international agenda. Especially significant is migration towards more developed regions which has sharply increased during the past 20 years and approximately half of which comes from less developed regions.
Moreover, while the number of migrants to developed market economies is now the largest component of international migration, the number of migrants to other countries is very important.
In the twenty-first century, migration is no longer unidirectional and permanent in nature, but is increasingly temporary and circular. Changing geo-political and geoeconomic landscapes, as well as the "knowledge-economy," are intertwining the processes of migration and globalization and leading to the emergence of new development thinking and strategies.
Migration, globalization and development are complex, dynamic concepts because migration is not merely a movement of people from one place to another; globalization is not just the simple integration of economic activities or spatial units, and; development is not simply economic growth1. Migration, globalization and development are interlinking processes.
To fully release the development potential of international migration, a holistic and comprehensive approach is required to address the multifaceted nature of international migration, with a special focus on the gender dimension in the roots of migration, its impacts, policies and legislation.
The Seminar "Globalization, International Migration and Development" will address the multidimensional aspects, opportunities and challenges of international migration and its inter-linkages with development, bringing political expertise from all regions to enhance aimed at towards an interdisciplinary management of international migration flows and to recommend practical and results-oriented policies at regional and global levels. This seminar will facilitate an exchange of views and experiences between experts, representatives from governments, international organizations and civil society.
1 OCDE (2007) Policy Coherence for Development 2007: Migration and Developing countries.Monday, August 18
09.30 - 10.00 Inaugural Session
10.00 - 12.00 Session I
Globalization and International Migration: Exploring challenges and opportunities
Few dimensions of globalization stimulate controversy as much as international migration. There may be fewer consensuses on the movement of people across international borders than there is about any other aspect of globalization. States, societies, economies and cultures in different regions of the world are increasingly integrated and interdependent. New technologies enable the rapid transfer of capital, goods, services, information and ideas from one country and continent to another. The global economy is expanding, providing millions of women and men with better opportunities.
But peoples´ right to emigrate collides with the right of countries to regulate immigration. The rise in international economic inequalities, internal inequalities in the home countries, the second demographic transition in affluent societies and the pre-existing network of migrants, encourage the special movement of the population from developing to developed countries. The globalization process is, therefore, incomplete, and explains the inconsistent impact of globalization and the growing disparities between the standard of living and level of human development in different parts of the world.
Migration is part of a process of economic development understood as growth and structural growth. However, it is also the result of the departure of the voiceless and, therefore, is linked to the quality of governance in the context of the globalization of democratic values Globalization does not only affect goods, services and factors of production, but also the spread of universal human rights.Economic growth is a means of development, but its end lies in the extension of capabilities that lead to freedom.
Proposed topics for discussion:
o The complexity of human mobility
o Completing globalization: trade and residence freedom
o Driving forces, root causes and dynamics of international migration today.
o Effects of international migration on economic, political and social development.
o Cultural differences, gender, energy poverty, conflict, and other dimensions of international migration.
12.00 - 12.15 Coffee Break
12.15 - 14.00 Session II
Human Rights, States and Global Citizenship
Migrants are, above all, human beings endowed with fundamental and inalienable rights. Therefore, Human Rights should be considered part of the necessary undergirding associating international migration to development. Of particular importance is the protection of the rights and freedoms of vulnerable groups, such as children, youth, women and persons in irregular situations, who cannot be treated as guilty until it is proven that they have the necessary documentation for legal residence in the host country.
While the primary motivation of most international migrants is to find work, to improve their living standards or to learn new skills, some people are also forced to migrate due to conflict, violence or natural disasters. The international community must recognize the important linkages that exist between forced migration and the development process, and ensure that such linkages are fully addressed in order to establish coherent and constructive approaches to the migration and development debate.
The migrant integration process (forced and economic) in host societies is weighed down the immigrant connections with their country of origin. In many countries immigrants enjoy social and economic rights, but have no voting rights Consequently, they are viewed by citizens of the host country as being a weight on the Welfare State and, at the same time, can´t make decisions about the issues that most affect them. Broadening the citizenship concept and linking it to residence is, therefore, one of the most urgent challenges on the political agenda and, an end in itself if the aim is to globalize democratic values.
Proposed topics for discussion:
o Rights-based approach to international migration.
o Global governance: states, frontiers and citizenship.
o Empowering migrants: social, civil and political rights for international migrants.
o Global justice, cosmopolitan morality and international aid
o Forced migration, displacement and refugees.
o Managing inmigration and anti-inmigration policies
14.00 - 16.00 Lunch Break
16.00 - 18.30 Session III
New Thinking on International Migration and Development
By linking migration and development policies it should not be assumed that development assistance can resolve the challenges presented by migration.International migration is a global issue and must be a central part of the global development agenda. It presents both opportunities and challenges to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. While migration can contribute to development, development does not immediately end international migration.
Despite claims that international migration makes a substantive contribution to the development of both home and host countries, the dynamics of the process and the roles of the various actors in migration are conceptually unclear. There are divergent views about how to understand the relationship between international migration and development, as the connections between them are complex, multi-dimensional and varied. Migration can be as much the product of a lack of development (forced migration due to conflict, violence or vulnerability to natural disasters), or the produce of the development process (economic migration due to relative deprivation in migrant countries and a second demographic transition in affluent societies).
In this context, international development partners are rethinking the importance of migration for the socio-economic development process in both home and host countries, and moving towards realizing migration´s potential to contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction.
Proposed topics for discussion:
o Multidimensional aspects of linkages between international migrations and development. Measuring impacts in developed and developing countries.
o Migration and Social Cohesion.
o Policy coherence to link Migration and Development.
o Institutional mechanisms to enhance international cooperation for the benefit of both countries and migrants.
Tuesday, 19th August
10.00 - 12.00 Session IV
International Migration and Development.
International migration is an integral component of the development process and can be a useful tool for addressing disparities between developed and developing countries. Flows associated with international migration, development, and trade can be mutually reinforcing, providing a strong case for co-ordinated decision making across policy domains.
Adequately focused, better and more coherent policies can contribute to and support development through migration and its positive aspects, such as brain drain, remittances and the absorption of excess labour supply, whilst meeting demand does not satisfy a labour market which, by definition, is segmented in the developed countries. Between good y bad jobs (dangerous, dirty and depredating).
Labour migration has the potential to serve as an engine of growth and development for all parties involved. The impact of returning migrant skills is an important dimension in the migration-development nexus.These implications can be discussed in the context of diasporas and development. In particular, a focus on the relationship between return migration and the diffusion of democratic values in countries with low levels of governance is required.
Remittances also figure prominently in the debate on the impact of migration on development in home countries, while much of the discussion focuses on the scale and impact of remittances (reinforce or increase inequalities in host countries, leading to further out-migration, alleviate poverty and improve human well-being in some areas through the multiplier effects of consumption and education skills), there is a growing realization that the positive effects of migration on development are more complex and have led to a proliferation of social networks that can enhance information flows (both formal and informally), facilitate trade and encourage capital flow and organization.These diasporas maintain close links with their origins through transnational living, and should contribute to development through foreign direct invest, entrepreneurial skills, and the new culture of democratic values.
Proposed topics for discussion:
o International labour mobility.
o Tackling the Brain Drain and skilled migration.
o Diaspora, social capital and networks for development.
o Channeling Remittances for development.
o Addressing integration challenges.
o Policy coherence.
12.00 - 12.15 Coffee Break
12.15 - 14.00 Session V
Promoting partnerships: The sharing of the best practices at all levels
Multi-stakeholder partnerships are considered an essential tool for promoting the benefits of migration for development. A variety of mechanisms can promote effective collaboration among non-state actors and between non-state actors and governmental institutions. Successful partnerships generally require a transparent, democratic, and consultative process, with strong links between the governmental and non-governmental discussion, and co-ownership.Considering the globalization process and international migration and development cooperation policies together could, where appropriate, form the basis for genuine migration and development partnerships between home, host and transitional countries.
Between home and host countries, civil society organizations can mirror the cooperation between governments on migration. Such partnerships can take place at all levels of governance, both between international groups and within local communities. The key message is that through collaboration, benefits can be multiplied.
Proposed experiences and topics:
o The United Nations High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development and beyond.
o Global Forum on Migration and Development.
o Intergovernmental cooperation.
o Public-Private Partnerships.
o Co-development approaches.
o Looking ahead.
14.00 - 16.30 Lunch Break
16.30 - 17.30 Session IV
Final Round Table: Recommendations
17.30 - 18.00 Closing Ceremony
19.00 - 20.30 Open keynote Speech
Patrocinadores: Club de Madrid
Gobierno de Cantabria
Programa
Director/a
Rafael Domínguez Martín
Director de la Cátedra de Cooperación Internacional y con IberoaméricaUniversidad de Cantabria
