Essentials of Migration Management for Policy Makers and Practitioners

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Essentials of Migration Management for Policy Makers and Practitioners

Section 2.3Migration and Development

Essentials of Migration Management

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Section 2.3 Migration and Development

Learning Objectives

• understand the connections between migration policies and development and between development policies and migration

• understand how migration policy can impact development objectives• understand the need for closer integration between migration policies and

development policies at the national level in your setting• understand the contribution of migration to sustainable development and

poverty reduction


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Topic Titles

Topic One: Perspectives on Migration and Development

Topic Two: Remittances

Topic Three: Diaspora and Development

Topic Four: Return of Skills

Topic Five: New Policy Directions


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Terms and Concepts

Brain drainA term used to describe the movement of educated and skilled persons from one country to another, usually to the detriment of the former.

DevelopmentA dynamic process implying growth, advancement, empowerment, and progress, with the goal of increasing human capabilities, enlarging the scope of human choices, and creating a safe and secure environment where citizens can live with dignity and equality. Development can be considered as a process that transcends the territorial borders of States. In the development process, it is important that people’s productivity, creativity, and choices are broadened and that opportunities are created not only for the present generation, but also for future generations.

DiasporaCommunities of migrants settled permanently in countries other than where they were born, but aware of their country of origin and continuing to maintain links with their country of origin. (Greek: scattered abroad, dispersion)

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Terms and Concepts

GlobalizationIn a broad sense, globalization encompasses any form of societal change having a transnational dimension. Globalization is a process that transcends the territorial borders of States in both economic and non-economic contexts. In general, globalization is characterized as a process of growing interconnectedness and interdependence generated largely by growing economic, cultural, and political cooperation and links. It includes the ideas of integration, interdependence, multilateralism, openness, universalism, and geographical compactness.

International migrationThe movement of persons from their countries of origin to countries of destination with the intent to remain for an extended stay. When “migrant” is used in the development context, it covers only those cases where the decision to migrate is taken freely by the individual concerned, for reason of “personal choice,” and without an external compelling factor. For our discussion of international migration and development, the term does not include refugees, exiles, or people who leave their homes under compulsion.

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Terms and Concepts

Livelihood

Livelihood refers to the means used to maintain and sustain life. These “means” can be the resources (including household assets, capital, social institutions, and networks) and strategies available to people through their local and transnational communities. Migration not only offers a “livelihood strategy” to people in peace time, but also to people in conflict or post-conflict situations.

Paradigm

A conceptual model that is used to understand complex phenomena. The late Mahbub Ul Haq, who developed the human development index, identified four essential components in the human development paradigm. These are equity, sustainability, productivity, and empowerment.

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Terms and Concepts

Pull factorsThe factors present in another country that pressure or motivate the migrant to seek to reside in that country

Push factorsThe factors present in a migrant’s country of origin that pressure or motivate the migrant to leave their country of origin and seek to reside elsewhere

RemittancesThe portion of an international migrant’s earnings sent back from the host country to his/her country of origin. It is necessary to distinguish official remittances that are transferred via official bank channels, and are, therefore, recorded in the country’s statistics, from unofficial (often referred to as informal) remittances that are sent back via private money courier systems, via friends and relatives, or carried home by the migrants themselves.

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Terms and Concepts

Transnational networks

Migrant networks with cultural, political, social and/or economic links between countries, usually including the country of origin

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Migration and Development

Topic One

Perspectives on Migration and Development


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Topic OnePerspectives on Migration and Development

Important Points

1. International migration is the movement of persons from their countries of origin to countries of destination with the intent to remain for an extended stay.

2. Migration across borders has accelerated in response to rapid movements of capital and goods and services, accompanied by unprecedented growth in communication and transportation technologies across the world.

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3. Economic disparities and demographic changes are powerful push and pull factors affecting the movement of people. There are numerous factors behind a decision to migrate, including:

• employment and opportunity• economic disparities• family reunification• poverty• environmental degradation• armed conflict• demographic pressures• natural disasters.

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4. International migration can have important benefits for home country development and contribute to the welfare of host societies.

• "Livelihood strategies” can be developed for under-resourced communities.

• Poverty can be reduced at the individual level.

• Investment funds can be provided.

• Structures, ideologies, and support networks can be reinforced for development activities.

5. International migration can reduce income disparities across countries through an “equalizing effect” on the income of the countries of origin.

6. International migration can adversely affect the development of countries of origin through loss of essential human resources, often referred to as “brain drain".


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The employment connection

• Migration for work has always played a vital role in providing people with a means to maintain and sustain life.

• Migration has emerged as a significant tool in a “livelihood strategy," especially for the people of developing countries.

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Topic One Perspectives on Migration and Development

• For developing countries, which are usually countries of origin, employment of its people outside the country can mean:

• the possibility for remittances• reduced vulnerability of families• greater empowerment of women• impacts on social institutions• loss of skills and educated members (“brain drain”)• financial, social, and human capital impact of return migration• greater potential for small business development and

entrepreneurship• increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

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Topic One Perspectives on Migration and Development

• For more developed countries, which are usually countries of destination, the interaction between migration and development could:

• increase efficiency in the use of global resources• increase the supply of entrepreneurship and small business • accelerate the growth of per capita income• increase saving, investment, and human capital formulation• increase creativity and diversity• accelerate the pace of innovation.

• The international mobility of labour, if managed properly, could perhaps help in reducing poverty and inequality.

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Topic Two

Remittances


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Topic TwoRemittances

Important Points

1. Remittances are a relatively stable form of income.

2. Remittances are an important resource for the reduction of poverty.

3. The largest share of migrants’ financial transfers is sent back to support family members and relatives.

4. A major challenge for policy makers is how to make the transfer of remittances cheaper and easier.

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Topic Three

Diaspora and Development


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Topic ThreeDiaspora and Development

Important Points

1. Financial capital accumulated by diasporas abroad is often repatriated to the country of origin

1. Human capital can result from higher education, training, and cumulative experience in diasporas that establish themselves in more developed countries.

2. Social capital in the form of migrant networks with links to both host and home countries can provide developing countries with access to more developed markets.

3. States might consider multiple entry visas, long-term residence permits, and dual citizenship as approaches to facilitate the mobility of diaspora members established abroad.

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Topic Four

Return of Skills


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Topic FourReturn of Skills

Important Points

1. Apart from sending remittances, migrants also save some money while abroad, which they bring with them on return.

2. Benefits are gained from the temporary presence of highly skilled professionals (“brain circulation”).

3. In order to encourage the return of highly skilled migrants, governments might offer certain incentive schemes to attract and retain professional and skilled manpower.

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Topic Five

New Policy Directions


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Topic FiveNew Policy Directions

Important Points

1. It is desirable that policy makers recognize and appreciate the contribution of migration to sustainable development and poverty reduction.

2. Migration management should be given an important place in any strategy aimed at achieving international development frameworks.

3. It is desirable that countries of origin and countries of destination approach labour mobility in a more comprehensive manner and treat it as a resource for development that can narrow existing inequalities between and among states.

4. It is desirable that new concepts such as “circular migration," “virtual migrant,” and “temporary labour migration” be incorporated in policy planning.

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5. It is desirable that States develop policies that maximize the use of remittances by removing obstacles to their flow and focus.

6. “Feminization” of migration and the empowerment of women is one of the most noteworthy recent trends in international migration and development.

7. There is a growing recognition of what has been termed “brain gain,” where skilled emigrants are considered a potential asset and not necessarily a net loss to the home country.

8. It is desirable that States develop policies that will mobilize the talents and financial strength of diasporas and enable the States to benefit from their resources.

9. It is desirable to integrate migration management approaches more explicitly and coherently within a broader context of economic and social development frameworks.


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Migration and development policy

• The international community is focusing on benefits for home country development as the most significant link between migration and development.

• A “migration and development nexus” has been recognized by major conferences and institutions at both the regional and international level.


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What do you think?

1. A cooperative approach to migration management could help developing countries to limit and reverse unsustainable forms of migration and receive the support of countries of destination for the sustainable development of their human resources.

2. Many middle-income countries are currently developing migration management structures that encourage and support their migrants throughout the entire migration process.

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Last Slide

Section 2.3Migration and Development

Documents

Essentials of Migration Management for Policy Makers and Practitioners