Melbourne, Australia
14 April 2010
Dr Jeni Klugman, Director of the Human Development Report Office, presented the 2009 Human Development Report, Overcoming Barriers: Human mobility and development at Deakin University hosted by the Alfred Deakin Research Institute (ADRI).
“In an unequal world, the 2009 Human Development Report explores how policies on mobility and migration impact improvements in human development, finding that movement has the potential to improve people’s lives, especially for the poorest,” Dr Klugman said. “Migrants and their families as well as source and destination communities can all benefit, yet there are many obstacles and challenges that must be overcome.”
Professor David Lowe, Director of ADRI, opened the report’s launch and Professor Sally Walker, Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University, welcomed the audience of over 60 leading development professionals. The Hon Bob McMullan MP, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, followed with remarks.
McMullan emphasized the importance of migration saying that development is about people, not countries, and expanding choices, and that migration would be a major issue for the 21st Century. McMullan went on to tout Australia’s initiative to facilitate mobility through the Australia-Pacific Technical College, which offers training for Australian-standard skills and qualifications in a wide range of vocational careers to all from Pacific Island Forum countries.
After Dr Klugman presented the report, a panel discussion was held with Professor Brett Inder, Head of Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics at Monash University, and Ms Dimity Fifer, Chief Executive Officer for Australian Volunteers International.
The discussion ranged over several key issues connected to international migration and immigration issues in Australia, including: the point that ‘low skilled' is more of a residual than a descriptive category; the importance of thinking about decisions and impacts in the context of families and communities; racism must be addressed in policy; and that local issues need to be addressed e.g. concerns about housing prices and crime.
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