The aim of this roundtable is to explore the policies and practices that can make migration work for development in both sending and receiving countries. Three sets of topics will be discussed in this roundtable. The first issue concerns how the migration and development nexus can be made to work for development purposes.

In particular, session 1.1 of this roundtable will discuss how to spread the benefits of migration more widely (source countries); which policies are better suited to strengthen and foster the sharing of the benefits of human development? (destination countries); how to ensure that migration policies are gender-sensitive (to women’s and men’s needs) (source and destination countries).

Session 1.2 will examine the role of diaspora and migration organizations in development policies and programmes, their constraints and their opportunities. Session 1.3 will concentrate on the current economic crisis and its impact on migration and development. While, the interests and needs of migrants need to become integrated into policy responses aimed at economic recovery (e.g., anti-protectionism measures, stimulation of international trade, need for capital and credit etc.), human mobility may be part of the solution, not the problem.

PAPERS

1.1 - Mainstreaming migration in development planning – Key actors, key
strategies, key actions

The need for a human centred approach, Daniel Verger, Director, International Action Division, Secours Catholique, Caritas France

Putting migration in development strategies, Tasneem Siddiqui, Professor in Political Science and founder Chair, RMMRU, University of Dhaka

1.2 - Engaging diasporas and migration in development policies and programs –
Their role? Their constraints?

Engaging diasporas, Chukwu-Emeka Chikezie, African Foundation for Development (AFFORD)

Engagement of African Diasporas, John O. Oucho, Centre for Research in Ethnic Relations, University of Warwick,
Coventry, U.K. and African Migration and Development Policy Centre, Nairobi, Kenya

Annex I: “Best Practices” of engagement of diasporas in development policies and programmes, John O. Oucho

1.3 - Addressing the root causes of migration through development, specifically
in light of the current global economic crisis

Migration and development linkages re-examined in the context of the global economic crisis, S. Irudaya Rajan, Chair Professor, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (Government of India) Research Unit on International Migration, Centre for Development Studies, Kerala,India

Mobility and national development strategies, Jeni Klugman, Director, Human Development Report, UNDP and Isabel Pereira

List of Papers and Summaries for RT 1

Papers written both by private sector and other civil society stakeholders will form the initial basis of the roundtable discussion.

For more information read the full version of the concept note.