Essentials of Migration Management
for Policy Makers
and Practitioners
Section 2.3
Migration and Development
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Section 2.3 Migration and Development
Learning Objectives
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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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Essentials of Migration Management
Section 2.3 Migration and Development
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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Essentials of Migration Management
Section 2.3 Migration and Development
Terms and Concepts
Brain drain
A term used to describe the movement of educated and skilled persons from one country
to another, usually to the detriment of the former.
Development
A 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.
Diaspora
Communities 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)
(Continued)
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Essentials of Migration Management
Section 2.3 Migration and Development
Terms and Concepts
Globalization
In 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 migration
The 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.
(Continued)
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Essentials of Migration Management
Section 2.3 Migration and Development
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.
(Continued)
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Essentials of Migration Management
Section 2.3 Migration and Development
Terms and Concepts
Pull factors
The factors present in another country that pressure or motivate the migrant to seek to
reside in that country
Push factors
The 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
Remittances
The 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.
(Continued)
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Essentials of Migration Management
Section 2.3 Migration and Development
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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Essentials of Migration Management
Migration and Development
Topic One
Perspectives on Migration and Development
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Topic One
Perspectives 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.
(Continued)
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Essentials of Migration Management
Topic One
Perspectives on Migration and Development
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:
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employment and opportunity
economic disparities
family reunification
poverty
environmental degradation
armed conflict
demographic pressures
natural disasters.
(Continued)
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Essentials of Migration Management
Topic One
Perspectives on Migration and Development
4.
International migration can have important benefits for home country
development and contribute to the welfare of host societies.
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"Livelihood strategies” can be developed for under-resourced communities.
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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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Essentials of Migration Management
Topic One
Perspectives on Migration and Development
The employment connection
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Migration for work has always played a vital role in providing people with a
means to maintain and sustain life.
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Migration has emerged as a significant tool in a “livelihood strategy,"
especially for the people of developing countries.
(Continued)
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Essentials of Migration Management
Topic One
Perspectives on Migration and Development
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For developing countries, which are usually countries of origin, employment
of its people outside the country can mean:
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the possibility for remittances
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reduced vulnerability of families
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greater empowerment of women
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impacts on social institutions
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loss of skills and educated members (“brain drain”)
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financial, social, and human capital impact of return migration
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greater potential for small business development and
entrepreneurship
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increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
(Continued)
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Essentials of Migration Management
Topic One
Perspectives on Migration and Development
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For more developed countries, which are usually countries of destination,
the interaction between migration and development could:
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increase efficiency in the use of global resources
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increase the supply of entrepreneurship and small business
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accelerate the growth of per capita income
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increase saving, investment, and human capital formulation
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increase creativity and diversity
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accelerate the pace of innovation.
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The international mobility of labour, if managed properly, could perhaps help
in reducing poverty and inequality.
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Essentials of Migration Management
Migration and Development
Topic Two
Remittances
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Topic Two
Remittances
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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Essentials of Migration Management
Migration and Development
Topic Three
Diaspora and Development
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Topic Three
Diaspora 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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Essentials of Migration Management
Migration and Development
Topic Four
Return of Skills
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Topic Four
Return 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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Essentials of Migration Management
Migration and Development
Topic Five
New Policy Directions
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Topic Five
New 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.
(Continued)
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Essentials of Migration Management
Topic Five
New Policy Directions
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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Essentials of Migration Management
Topic Five
New Policy Directions
Migration and development policy
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The international community is focusing on benefits for home country
development as the most significant link between migration and
development.
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A “migration and development nexus” has been recognized by major
conferences and institutions at both the regional and international level.
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Essentials of Migration Management
Topic Five
New Policy Directions
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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Essentials of Migration Management
Last Slide
Section 2.3
Migration and Development
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