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This report breaks new ground in applying a human development approach to the study of migration.

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Informal regional consultations

In preparation for the upcoming 2009 Human Development Report, a series of informal consultations have been designed to allow for an initial exchange of views on current migration research and policy topics. The focus in each of the exchanges is geared to issues that are specific to the region.

East Africa

Nairobi, Kenya

25 July 2008
The consultation looked at issues particular to East Africa and the Horn Region. Differentiating between internal, international, regular and irregular forms of migration, the discussion highlighted challenges, causal factors and migration routes in the region.

South Asia

New Delhi, India

11 September 2008
The informal consultation, hosted by UNDP India, was designed to focus on issues of migration in India, complemented by experiences in  South Asia more generally. The consultation was stimulated by short initial presentations by local experts. The discussions were structured around three broad types of migration – internal, international and intra-regional – while recognizing the value of more integrated thinking across these 'boundaries'.

Middle East and North Africa

Amman, Jordan

20-21 October 2008
The consultation focused on the Arab region, with attention to the trends and flows, human development impacts, gender, and data gaps. Key questions included reflections on how mobility can expand choices and capabilities, the impacts of forced migration, conflict and protracted displacement, and the impact of diaspora/migrant communities.

Eastern Europe and the CIS

Bratislava, Slovakia

24-25 October 2008
Looking at the specific issues that affect the EECIS region, the discussion tackled issues around mobility in the context of national and regional migration policies. Diaspora will be framed by the question about the real extent of transnationalism. Forced migration and human trafficking will also be discussed, as will the politics of host and source countries and longer-term migration trends.

Southeast Asia

Manila, Philippines

31 October 2008
The Southeast Asia consultation followed the Global Forum on Migration and Development. It was an opportunity to brainstorm with local academic experts, international organizations, NGOs, and policymakers. The impact of migration – internal, cross-border and international, on human development was discussed from both historical and forward-looking perspectives.

South Pacific

Sydney, Australia

3-4 November 2008
This region has experienced interesting innovations in temporary market programs in recent years, this was a focus of the discussion which was co-hosted by the World Bank. Longer standing issues about immigrants' well-being and prospects were also reviewed looking at social, cultural, political as well as economic diversions.

West Africa

Dakar, Senegal

11-12 November 2008
With a special focus on Francophone countries, topics included internal and skilled migration within the context of existing national policies and international agreements. Labour mobility within Africa and to Europe were considered.

Latin America

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

19 November 2008
This meeting was timed to follow the annual meetings of economists in the region, and brought together policymakers, academics, and specialists from the international community. The consultation fed in to the development of the 2009 report on world migration as well as in the 2010 report which will reappraise our understanding of human development. Panels dealt with regional migration trends, a discussion of the effect of migration on Latin America, policies and the political economy of migration, and the role of human development in development economics.

North America

Washington, DC

3-4 December 2008
Organized and hosted by the Migration Policy Institute, the goal of this consultation was to stimulate discussion, elicit feedback about the report’s potential value added and suggested priorities, identify links to recent and ongoing work, and build connections with key stakeholders involved in migration in Washington DC.

Princeton, New Jersey

12-13 January 2009
Looking primarily at immigration issues between the U.S. and Mexico, discussions reviewed the effects of immigration on the destination country in terms of economic effects and the shaping of natives’ attitudes; drivers of immigration policy including the role of the media and interest groups; and the importance of cyclical migration in understanding motives to migrate and forming effective immigration policy.

Europe

Turin, Italy

13 December 2008
Following an important ILO meeting on migration, this forum reviewed major issues in European policy debates on migration. Discussions invoked the capabilities framework as it relates to migration, regional migration trends in Europe, labour market demands, and the role and influence of public opinion, policies and institutions on the flow of migrants.

Southern Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa

29 April 2009
The consultation in Johannesburg reviewed specific migration issues facing Southern Africa such as the human development impacts of migration for the region, the opportunities and challenges to regional cooperation and the political feasibility and scope for reform of migration policy in the region.