Civil Society Days 2014, 12-13 May
Shaping Migration & Development Goals: global movement, change on the ground
Rapporteur’s report from session 3.A
Boosting migrant and diaspora’s contribution to job creation and development in the
countries of residence, origin and heritage
Moderators: Martina Liebsch and Efrain Jimenez
Rapporteurs: Stephen Deul and Rafael Samanez
1 – Progress
Describe, as concretely as possible, up to four areas identified during the session where progress
has been made in the past years in terms of policies, practices and state-civil society partnerships
1.
Positive/sustainable relationships have been created with local governmental
entities in parallel with international efforts to ensure change.
2.
Access to quality services, social protection, and comprehensive integrated access to
rights based gender responsive information. E.g. Migrants have the support and
opportunities to review contracts before committing. The information should cover
the entire migration cycle (Pre-departure, onsite, residence, return and
reintegration.)
3.
Diaspora are more aware of their role they play in job creation.
4.
Established links between professionals in sending and receiving countries in order
to increase knowledge and expertise in country of origin.
2 – “Global Movement”: recommendations for changes in policies and practices
Describe, as concretely as possible, up to four areas where changes are needed in policies and
practices. Indicate for each what kind of national, regional or global movement is needed, as well
as recommendations for action by civil society as well as states
1.
Migrant worker’s qualifications and job experiences gained in the receiving countries
need to be recognized by the countries of origin to ensure continuation of careers
when they return.
2.
Diaspora’s role should not replace the state’s responsibility of ensuring proper social
economic conditions.
3.
Create adequate policy frameworks and mechanisms in both sending and receiving
countries to maximize contributions of Diaspora to development.
4.
Support job development policies that lead to employment that is decent and fair
and challenge the idea that greater flows of remittance will lead to development.
3 – “Change on the ground”: inspiring practices, partnerships and tools
Ideally related to the up to four areas described above, outline as concretely as possible, up to four
inspiring type of practices, partnerships and tools that can be replicated in other
regions/countries/locally (this could be either existing or needed practices, partnerships and tools).
Where relevant specify what actions/next steps are recommended to governments and civil
society
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Creating social dialogue network to increase participation and coordination to
address issues with governments.
Public education to improve perception of returning migrants as contributing
members of society.
Lobby focused on inclusive policies between integration and development to build
stronger migrant communities that can contribute more to development in
countries of origin.
Organization of Diaspora at the local, national and international levels are necessary
to ensure its inclusion in the Post 2015 Agenda.
4 – Targets and indicators
Observatory to collect data to measure the true impact of migrant and their
contributions, including the positive and negative impact on the sending and
receiving countries. Ad-hoc efforts are good, but should be in addition to a
centralized system.
Creation of jobs that are decent and fair through development policies will be a
measuring factor that this is functioning well.
Migrant Rights and Diaspora sectors need to work together to transform public
policies in both sending and receiving countries. The overemphasis by corporations
and governments on remittances as a primary solution to these social problems
needs to be challenged. Diaspora and migrant rights organizations need to work
together to advocate for better policies that place responsibility on governments
and corporations, not the migrants.
Countries of origin should strive to decrease remittances as an essential factor for
development.
5. Inspiring quotes
If you think you are too small to make a change, you have never been in a room with a mosquito