migration

GFMD Perspective on Migration for Sustainable and Resilient Societies

/ WIT / Leave a comment

DiAMwL0X0AE1YlF

https://www.facebook.com/gfmdsu/

The meeting was a side-event to the annual high-level political forum on sustainable development at the United Nations headquarters. It focused on the inter-linkages between migration and sustainable development goals (SDGs). In the opening remarks, Mr. El Habib Nadir from Morocco highlighted the relevance of resolving the problem of migration for achieving SDGs. Ms. Eva Åkerman Börje from UN Special Representative for International Migration emphasized the need to put more attention on the implementation of SDGs and its relation to migration.

During the panel discussion, speakers identified several SDGs where migration plays a key role. For example, Ms. Charu Bist from UNDP underlined that the varying development level of countries drives the flow of migration. Mr. Dilip Ratha from the World Bank demonstrated the increasing number of forcibly displaced people due to climate change. Ms. Colleen Thouez from Open Society Foundations underscored the importance for cities and inter-city networks to build capacity with urban planning in order to make themselves resilient in the face of an influx of migrants.

At the end of the meeting, speakers concurred that all relevant actors are significant in the dialogue of migration and sustainable development. Particularly, Ms. Karin Goebel, Minister of German Economic Department, called for involvement of stakeholders, including national governments, UN bodies and civil society.

Meeting: GFMD Perspective on Migration for Sustainable and Resilient Societies (organized by Germany and Morocco, GFMD 2017-2018 Co-Chairs)

Date/Location: Friday 13th July 2018; 13:15-14:30; German House, 871 United Nations Plaza, New York.

Speakers:

Mr. El Habib Nadir, Secretary General, Ministry Delegate to Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in charge of Moroccans Living Abroad and Migration Affairs;

Ms. Eva Åkerman Börje, Senior Policy Advisor Office of the UN Special Representative for International Migration;

Ms. Charu Bist, Senior Jobs and Livelihoods Advisor, United Nations Development Programme;

Mr. Dilip Ratha, Head – KNOMAD, Lead Economist – Migration and Remittances, Social Protection and Jobs Global Practice, The World Bank;

Ms. Colleen Thouez, Director, Welcoming and Integrated Societies Division, Open Society Foundations;

Mr. Julian Pfäfflin, Senior Policy Officer International Migration, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development;

Ms. Marta Foresti, Managing Director, Overseas Development institute;

Ms. Karin Goebel, Minister, Head of Economic Department, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the UN.

Written by WIT representative Vivian Wang

Understanding the Nexus and Implications for People on the Move

/ WIT / Leave a comment

This meeting aimed to highlight the linkages between migration, climate, and declining ocean health, and to show the international, regional, national, and local impacts of marine overexploitation. At the nexus of climate change and detriment to ocean health discussed in this meeting also lies fights to eradicate poverty, improve food security and quality of life, the increasing severity of natural disasters, and climate change’s impact on migration.

Oceans Conference

un.org

Mr. Ashraf El Nour opened this meeting by outlining how climate change-related ecological modifications to the ocean have direct consequences on the economy, environment, and quality of life for island and coastal populations, particularly in Small Island Developing States.

Data collected by the International Displacement Center suggests that since 2008, around 22.5 million people are displaced annually as a result of natural disasters of climate change ramifications; most of these individuals come from coastal areas and small island states. Millions of people are still at risk for future displacement, but contemporary initiatives have begun looking towards indigenous populations architectural and agriculture traditions for their flexibility and harmonious congruence with the environment.

The ocean is a transit platform for irregular migration and contributes to migrants missing at sea, border problems, humanitarian problems, and international insecurity. The panelists called for an innovative approach to migration and reconfiguring how we conceptualize refugees so that we might include those who are forced to relocate because of climate-related circumstances.

wwflogo

esw.org/member/world-wildlife-fund

Meeting: Ocean Health, Climate Change and Migration: Understanding the Nexus and Implications for People on the Move

Date/Location: Monday, June 5, 2017; 13:15-14:30; Conference Room A, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY

Speakers: Mr. Ashraf El Nour, Director, IOM Office to the United Nations; Mr. Jean Edmond Randrianantenaina, Director General of the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Center, Madagascar; Ms. Francoise Gail, Scientific Advisor, Ocean and Climate Platform; Mr. John Tanzer, Leader WWF Global Ocean Practice; Ms. Mariam Traore Chazalnoel, Thematic Specialist, Migration, Environment and Climate Change, IOM; Hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Madagascar in New York; Lead Organizer: International Organization of Migration (IOM) with Partner: WWF

Written By: WIT Representative Mariel Brunman

Launch of “Guidelines to Protect Migrants in Countries Experiencing Conflict or Natural Disaster”

/ WIT / Leave a comment

The launch of the report, “guidelines to protect migrants in countries that are experiencing either conflict or natural disasters”, served as a concrete contribution to addressing the problems that migrants could face come the large movement of refugees in September. Panelists commented on the fact that recent events have shown how vulnerable migrants really can be during a crisis in their host country. Sir Peter Sutherland was thanked for his efforts in 2013, calling on the United Nations to make take initiative on this issue and urging both government agencies and community organizations to work harder in ensuring beneficial knowledge to all, regardless of immigration status. It was also mentioned that there will be two UN summits this summer that will focus primarily on migrant protection during vulnerable times and discussing the global responsibilities all countries share in helping these migrants. Noted, was that the MICIC guidelines have served as a model for state-led guidelines that are focused on practical application. It is also important to note that MICIC has not produced anything binding or legally obligating, but rather a piece of a much larger set of policies to improve migrant protection.

Ms. Lourdes Yparraguirre mentioned that 10% of Philippinos are located in over 200 countries worldwide, which is why policies and programs have been created to address their crisis situations. Many other countries are said to have no record of who the incoming migrants are and where they are from. It has become obvious that guidelines are needed to be set to protect these migrants and the United States and Philippines are the ideal leaders, said panel members. The 10 key principals were then reviewed by the panel on the notions of the need to focus on preparedness, emergency response, and post-crisis action.

Meeting: Launch of “Guidelines to Protect Migrants in Countries Experiencing Conflict or Natural Disaster” (co-organized by the Permanent Mission of the Philippines, the United States Mission and the International Organization for Migration (IOM))

Date/Time/Location: Wednesday, June 15, 2016; 10:00-13:00; Economic and Social Council Chamber

Speakers: Ms. Lourdes Yparraguirre, Representative of Philippines mission to the UN; Sir Peter Sutherland, United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for International Migration;

Written by: WIT Representative, Amirali Agha-Khan

Edited by: WIT Administrator, Modou Cham

 

Panel Discussion on Migration in the Post-2015 United Nations Development Agenda

/ WIT / Leave a comment

1213-migration-graphic-1Dr. Siegel began by stating that all parties must assume and understand that the ability to migrate is good. Much of the anti-migrant sentiment today, said Dr. Swing, is based on irrational fears, and the international community has to work to create an enabling environment for migration.

Dr. Siegel asserted that integration policies in destination countries are very important, and studies have shown that migrants that are more integrated into the fabric of their destination country are also the most engaged in aiding their country of origin. She further stated the need for a whole-of-government approach to incorporate migration into mainstream national agendas. Dr. Siegel believes that policymakers need to focus less on forced return of migrants and more on temporary return for qualified workers and other initiatives that can feed development. Migration-related development benefits should not be thrown out because of poor policy.

Ms. Porras discussed the importance of remittances, explaining that they allow families in origin countries to save, have more disposable income, and invest in their national economies. There needs to be an alleviation of remittance transaction costs as well as reform regarding the taxation of remittances.

Mr. Faal emphasized the need to focus on creating partnerships to factor migration into sustainable development goals. He thinks policymakers need to address the possibility of transforming remittances into serious macroeconomic factors. Further, he believes that mechanisms should be created for transnational social and commercial investment, allowing migrant communities to invest in development in their origin countries.

Meeting: Panel Discussion on Migration in the Post-2015 United Nations Development Agenda.
Date: 17 December 2014
Location: Conference Room 8, UN Headquarters, New York
Speakers: H.E. Heiko Thoms, Deputy Permanent Representative of Germany to the UN; H.E. Juan Carlos Mendoza-García; Mr. Gibril Faal, Senior Research Associate at the Foreign Policy Center, Chairman of the Africa Foundation for Development, Director of GK Partners; Dr. Melissa Siegel, Associate Professor/Senior Researcher at Maastricht Graduate School of Governance, Head of Migration Studies Training & Research Projects; Ms. Laura Porras Alfaro, Associate of Migration, Remittances and Development, Inter-American Dialogue; Ambassador William Swing, Director-General, International Organization for Migration; Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; Ms. Jane Stewart, Special Representative to the UN and Director of the International Labor Organization Office for the UN.
Written by WIT Representative: Philip Bracey

Second Commitee Discusses Globalization and Interdependence

/ WIT / Leave a comment

Mr. Willem van der Geest, Chief of the Development Strategy and Policy Branch of the Development Policy and Analysis Division in DESA introduced the report that provides an overview of the economic, social and environmental challenges we are facing. The report noted, with respect to economic challenges, that the need for more effective international policy coordination has become an imperative against the backdrop of a fragile recovery of the global economy and various downside risks. In regard to the social challenges the report noted that reducing inequality is at the core of a new ‘International Economic Order’. Lastly, the report noted in environmental challenges that an integrated vision that includes the social, economic, environmental and governance components of urbanization is required.

Next, Mr John Wilmoth, Director Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) noted three critical points. First, it is important to maintain the momentum and widespread support for including migrants, migration and mobility in the post-2015 development agenda. Second, it is imperative to promote peaceful societies and facilitate safe and orderly migration. Third, greater efforts are required to ensure that data on migration and its impact on development are collected, analysed and used for effective policy-making.

The representative of Bolivia on behalf of the Group of 77 and China commenced the general discussion by noting that the nexus between migration and development must be addressed comprehensibly and include a cultural and human perspective. They also suggested that the international community should explore a legally binding convention on migration and development to improve the governance of international migration and to protect human rights of migrants. The Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) stated the importance of globalization being inclusive and equitable. They also highlighted that their cultural sectors are significant contributors to job creation, economic development and their national pride and identities. The Representative of Philippines on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stated that they envisage the free flow of services and the free flow of skilled labour, both of which have a deep impact on international migration and development in the region. Finally, the representative of Malawi on behalf of the African Group noted that the current process of globalization is generating unbalanced outcomes, both among and within countries. Malawi called on the international community to assist in enhancing regional and international cooperation for research and technological development.

 

Meeting Title: 22nd and 23rd meeting of the Second Commitee: ‘Globalization and Interdependence [item 21]’
Date: 27 October 2014
Location: Conference Room 2, UN Headquarters, New York
Written by WIT Representative: Aslesha Dhillon

Edited by WIT Representative: Philip Bracey