The Link Between Migration, Globalisation and Development Report Novib Expert Meeting Noordwijk a/d Zee, The Netherlands March 13-14, 2003 Content Novib Mission Statement Introduction   1. Presentation day (March 13, 2003) 2. Discussion day (March 14, 2003) 3. A preliminary agenda for action Annexes 1. Expert meeting working paper expert meeting (Novib) 2. Presentation paper D. Bagasao 3. Presentation paper H. Entzinger 4. Background paper P. Emmer 5. Presentation paper P. Stalker 6. List of participants Acknowledgement      Related Information

© P. Stalker

Mission Statement

Novib’s objective is ‘to promote a global society where the socio-economic inequalities between rich and poor are eradicated, where the world’s prosperity is distributed more justly and where people and sectors of the population can learn about and respect each other’s culture, while working together on their development on the basis of shared accountability and mutual solidarity’.

Novib is a member of Oxfam International, a growing group which currently consists of eleven organisations for development cooperation. Oxfam International supports more than 3000 counterparts in approximately 100 countries.

Oxfam International’s mission is ‘to generate global support for the conviction that poverty and exclusion are unjust, unnecessary and not sustainable’.

Oxfam International commits its moral, personal and financial resources to promote a world-wide movement towards economic and social justice in collaboration with citizens, businesses and governments. This commitment is echoed in the title of OI’s strategic policy plan for the next four years: ‘Towards Global Equity’.


Introduction


Novib organised an expert meeting entitled ‘Is there a link between migration, development and globalisation?’ on 13 and 14 March 2003 in Noordwijk a/d Zee, the Netherlands. The meeting brought together some 30 participants, speakers, and members of the working group representing various Dutch and other European development organisations, research and government agencies, international bodies such as the International Labour Office (Geneva) and the International Migration Organisation (Netherlands), labour sector, the academe, civil society, and migrant and refugee non-government organisations. For two days they held discussions and engaged with the resource persons and with each other in a multidisciplinary analysis of the perspectives, issues and concerns related to the interplay of the three processes. They also worked hard to design programs of actions and strategies that may address the identified issues.

The aim of this expert meeting was twofold. First of all, the meeting set out to analyse the connections between migration, globalisation and development. Based on four presentations, the participants discussed migration processes in general as well as the impact of migration on countries of origin and countries of destination and on migrants themselves. Secondly, and on the basis of the above-mentioned analysis, the participants were asked to draft an action agenda in the field of migration issues for organisations such as Novib. In her opening speech, the director of Novib, Sylvia Borren phrased the main question of the meeting as follows: ‘How can we build a positive link between migration, globalisation and development?’ For a background paper on the expert meeting, please refer to Annex 1.

The plenary discussions on the first day broadly covered three questions: (1) why do people migrate?; (2) what are the facts and figures relating to migration?; and (3) what are the consequences of this migration? In an animated discussion following the presentations by Ding Bagasao, Han Entzinger, Pieter Emmer and Peter Stalker (see Annexes 2-5) it soon became clear that the question mark following the official title of the expert meeting was out of place. In other words: it is not a question whether there is a link between migration, globalisation and development, it is a fact. One could even say that migration is the missing link between globalisation and development. Part 1 of this report (Presentation day) presents an overview of the discussions and the major findings.

The second day was largely reserved for discussion in three smaller groups aimed at reaching recommendations for organisations such as Novib. Guiding questions were provided for each of these groups: (1) what can we do to manage or regulate migration?; (2) what can we do to reduce the negative aspects of migration?; and (3) what can we do to promote the positive aspects of migration? All the sub-groups started by summarising the main issues at stake (e.g., the positive or negative aspects of migration) and followed this with concrete proposals. They presented the outcome of their discussions in a final plenary session in the afternoon. Part 2 of this report (Discussion day) details the outcomes of these discussions.

Migration has both a negative and positive impact on the social, economic and political development that has global and regional implications. Migration is a natural phenomenon, unstoppable, and an integral part of development. The heavy social costs of migration should not be underestimated but the positive side of migration should also be recognised. Migrant workers are an asset to every country to which they bring their labour skills and they are essential to the economy of the countries of origin and countries of destination. Migrants in the Diaspora can play a significant role in the development of their countries of origin if their potentials are properly re-channelled for sustainable development. These are the main conclusions of the participants of the expert meeting.

All in all, the expert meeting lived up to expectations. At the same time, it is clear that this is not the end but the beginning. This is mainly because the meeting made perfectly clear that even though migration may or may not be regarded as a natural phenomenon it certainly is a structural phenomenon. Therefore, further research, discussion and, perhaps most importantly, some concrete actions are required. This expert meeting has set some important steps in that direction not only by providing an analysis of migration but mainly by coming up with some concrete action points. These action points, as brought forward by the sub-groups, emphasise the need to develop a clear migration policy in which lobby and advocacy activities hold central stage and human rights the cornerstone. Further cooperation and coordination with migrant groups should be encouraged as well, with the aim being to fight racism and xenophobia (particularly in the Netherlands). Actions related to Novib’s work in developing countries were hardly touched upon.

1. Presentation day (13 March 2003)

In her impressible opening speech, Sylvia Borren emphasised the need to concentrate on the positive issues in the relationship between migration, globalisation and development. She also called on the participants to come up with practical guidelines. This was followed by a short introduction by the facilitator of the meeting explaining the procedures and the rationale behind the expert meeting. Four presentations then followed, each leading to a discussion between participants. For a quick overview of the presentations and some of the issues raised during the following discussions, please refer to the annexes. The following is a presentation of the three basic questions and the main issues emerging from the first day.

Question 1: Why do people migrate?

Question 2: What are the trends and figures?

Figures

A wide variety of figures and tables were presented during the first day. One of them was the estimated total number of 175 million migrants globally. Most of them live in Western countries. The figure corresponds with about 3 percent of the total world population. It would be impossible to rephrase all the statistical information discussed in this report, but the trends discussed below represent the rough outlines.

Trends

• Continuation of migration
Migration has become a structural phenomenon. In the past, it was frequently triggered by specific incidents like a recession in countries of origin.

• Proliferation
The migration patterns have become more complex. Distances have increased and many countries can no longer be categorised as a country of origin or a country of destination. Migrants move to neighbouring countries (like a lot of Mexicans do) as well as to any other country around the world. There is some hierarchy however. The USA, for instance, is the most popular destination.

• Diversification
The motives of migration have diversified.

• Transnationalism
Networks among migrants and between them and their country of origin are playing an increasingly important role. One factor is globalisation and the IT revolution. This has consequences for culture identity and processes assimilation and integration. One of the results is the occurrence of transnational communities as entities that should not solely be seen as a part of either country. Another consequence of these networks is that migration has become a cause in itself. Family reunion is one of the phenomena we may observe in this context.

• Controversial issue
In the last 30 years, migration has been viewed more negatively than before. Migrants used to be regarded as useful for receiving countries. That is no longer the case. The traditional picture of cheap labour has given way to controversies about asylum seekers. Receiving states adapt their laws, so that they do not have to receive the migrants they do not want to receive.

• Irregular migrants
There is a growing number of migrants that do not have the documents required by countries of destination.

• Gender
Growing feminisation of labour

• Free trade hampers migration.

• More and more people migrate out of their own free will.

• Linking migration with security issues


Question 3: what are the consequences of migration?

2. Discussion day (14 March 2003)

During the second day of the conference, participants were divided into three groups to discuss three different questions. The following paragraphs provide a short overview of the main issues brought forward by these groups.

Group 1 (leading question: what can we do to manage or regulate migration?)

1. Can migration be managed?
It varies according to context: labour migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, trafficked people et cetera. The group agrees to a certain extent that migration can be managed.

2. Does migration need to be managed/why?
It would (1) Protect human rights and dignity and (2) Help to meet labour and skills needs.

3. Managing migration would require an integrated global approach (involving countries of origin and destination).

4. Who manages migration?
In countries of origin as well as in destination countries, this should be:
• Civil society organisations
• Government bodies
• NGOs (international, national and local)
• International organisations (i.e. IOM; ILO)

5. Mechanisms for managing migration
• Legal mechanisms must be established.
• People must be better informed about the legal channels for migration.
• Recognition, ratification and enforcement of legal standards (i.e. existing international standards); ILO conventions; 1990 UN Convention and its protocols.
• Special attention to feminisation of migration in policies and measures.
• Brain drain – addressing the loss of talent > harnessing development links between Diaspora communities, countries of origin and development agencies.
• Development, trade and investment > effective use of remittances/skills; favourable infrastructure to stimulate development and trade (both in countries of origin and countries of destination).
• Targeting of development assistance.

6. Action points for Novib:
• Advocacy and lobbying and the coordination thereof.
• Integrate skills of migrants into communities (implementing and financing).


Group 2 (guiding question: what can we do to reduce the negative consequences?)
It is important to make a distinction between different actors (organisations, types of migrants, countries of origin and destination). This makes it difficult to formulate one clear policy.

1. What would the individual group members do first if they had to reduce the negative consequences of migration?

• Provide more information about positive consequences.
• Focus on negative consequences for migrants themselves. First, help the fortune seekers who come to stay for a short time and who have high expectations. Offer them a contract and afterwards assist them with their return.
• Create awareness in Western countries that migrants bring a lot of positive things and that we might even need them in the future to fill the gap in our labour market.
• Arrange for migrant organisations to be assisted by NGOs so that they can effectively carry out development work in their countries of origin. They are eager to help their countries.
• Are the negative consequences really based on negative things? Let the media create a more realistic picture of migrants.
• Find out what we exactly need from migrants. The fact that we do not know what their needs are creates a lot of unnecessary problems.
• Try to find a compensation system for brain drain. People who leave during periods of economic recession worsen the situation.
• Think of the influence of the general development policy on migration and its negative consequences.
• Whose stake are we talking about? Forced/involuntary migration has a lot more negative consequences than labour migration.
• Adapt the Convention of Geneva to the situation of 2003, instead of abrogating it.
• Free trade is economically defined. Add a social paragraph in co-operation with government organisations and trade unions.
• Make an alliance between relevant actors that are willing to commit themselves economically as well as socially to reduce the negative aspects of migration.
• Draw a clear border between humanitarian assistance and development aid.
• Migration should be seen as something normal
• Encourage dialogue with media and make sure they produce an objective story.

2. What are the negative consequences of migration?

3. How can we reduce these negative consequences?

• Relevant actors to accept that migration is part of development processes.
• Development of clear and transparent migration policies on both ends.
• Strengthening of the existing Convention and Protocol on the protection of asylum seekers and refugees.
• Combat political degradation through information campaigns; influencing migration policymaking (activist approach, inside lobbying, cross sector alliances) > look for issues that are suitable for campaigns; learn from models which work elsewhere.
• Strive to include social paragraphs in regional free trade treaties in order to counteract (negative) migration consequences.
• Strive to develop a compensation system for brain drain.
• Stimulate supervision agencies for recruitment processes.
• Recognition of diplomas of migrants in receiving country, so that migrants do not have to work below their qualification.
• Develop awareness of negative migration effects in reintegration/repatriation: secure tenure for returnees; particular attention to South-South flows.
• Stimulate development of prevention/early warning mechanisms.

4. Other remarks
• Migrants often come from Middle Income Countries. Those countries are usually not recipients of development aid. Therefore, extending development aid does not necessarily mean that people will stop migrating.
• Brain drain becomes brain circulation when migrants return to their countries of origin.

• Compensating the brain drain is not (necessarily) the responsibility of development organisations. Other sectors (companies, ministries) benefit from the migrant labour force and should therefore pay for it. On the other hand, development organisations have the expertise. (Dilemma: what is the value of an individual migrant?)

5. Action points for Novib

• Joining forces for advocacy/lobbying
• Take a position on migration
• There is a link between migration and development, but the difference between actors should be kept in mind. The definition of concepts should be clear.


Group 3 (guiding question: what can we do to promote the positive consequences?)
There are many different positive aspects of migration (many different views)

1. Migration as an asset to Dutch society

Migration enriches the society in the countries of destination. Increased cultural diversity is a virtue to a country like the Netherlands. In addition, migrants are a bridgehead of globalisation. They are a potential asset to the awareness among the Dutch population about what is happening in this globalising world. However, the negative issues regarding migrants seem to be most saliently present among many sections of the Dutch population. Hence, there is a need to underline and amplify the positive aspects.
It is in this area that the missions of Novib and migrant organisations meet. Given the complementarity of the organisations, it seems straightforward that they join hands. Advocacy and facilitating public awareness are the two main activities. In an attempt to tackle racism and xenophobia, it is crucial to disseminate information and organise activities that underline the positive values of migration to the Netherlands.
It was observed that the voice of Diaspora is not frequently heard in debates. Both Novib and migrant organisations have a role to play in amplifying this voice.

2. Migrant organisations as an asset to Novib’s work

Migrants often possess a number of capacities that may be useful – or even instrumental – to Novib’s work abroad. Migrant organisations have local knowledge, local networks and local access that complement Novib’s capacities in its countries of activity. Migrant organisations may function as a bridge between developing countries and Dutch organisations like Novib.

Migrant organisations voiced their concern with the perceived ambiguity of Novib’s policies and priorities. Occasionally, promising initiatives were not picked up, because sometimes they did not suit Novib’s thematic or geographic priorities.

Concerns were expressed as well with regard to migrant organisations. Diaspora may consist of conflicting social, ethnic or political groups. As a result, Novib is faced with difficult choices in the field of partnership. Co-operating with certain organisations may not be beneficial to Novib’s work or relations with other organisations.


3. A preliminary agenda for action

The issues and linkages in the field of migration and development are too broad and too complex to be extensively discussed in a two-day conference. However, this event mapped out the major issues and indicated some directions for action. Given the limited attention development organisations have spent on migration, some may have perceived it as a blind spot for these organisations. The conference made crystal clear that migrants can become potential partners of Novib in the field of development cooperation and that many aspects of migration are closely interrelated with Novib’s work.

A detailed agenda for action was beyond the scope of this conference. Drawing from the working groups, a number of rough directions have, however, been indicated.

Advocacy

• Protection and security of migrants and irregular migrants in particular.
• Advocacy for ratifications and adherence to international conventions.
• Immigration procedures.
• Amplifying the voice of migrant organisation in national debates.
• Support migrant organisations. in their advocacy work.

Public awareness

• Underline the positive values of migration in the Dutch society.
• Disseminate information, multi-cultural society etc.

Migrant organisations as an asset to Novib’s work in the south

• Utilise the network, knowledge and access of migrant organisations in working in developing countries.
• Recognise the role of migrant organisations in partnerships with the South.
• Open up. Clarify and adjust priorities and policies to cater to the needs of migrant organisations.


 

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