Migration and National Development Head – Migration Management Unit. By Shantha Kulasekara, Head – Migration Management Unit. IOM Sri Lanka.

Migration ? The movement of a person or group of persons from one geographical unit to another across an administrative or political border, who wish to settle definitively or temporarily in a place other than their place of origin

What we mean by Migration? Migration can be international (movement between different countries) or internal (movement within a country, often from rural to urban areas). Migration can be permanent, temporary, voluntary or forced. More people are migrating today than at any other point in human history.

People migrate for many different reasons. These reasons can be Economic, Social, Political or Environmental. Economic Migration, this involves moving to find work or follow a particular career path. Social Migration, this involves moving some where for a better quality of life or to be closer to family or friends. Political Migration, this involves moving to escape political, religious or ethnic persecution, or conflict. Environmental Migration causes of this type of migration include natural disasters such as flooding or drought.

Trends in International Migrant Stock. Estimated number of international migrants in 2010 Is 214 Million people or 3.1% of world population Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2009). Trends in International Migrant Stock: The 2008 Revision (United Nations database, POP/DB/MIG/Stock/Rev.2008).

Top Ten Countries with the largest Number of International Migrants. A passage to Hope; women and international Migration ; UNFPA State of the World Population 2006, September 2006, Introduction and Chapter 1 in particular Pros and cons of International migration; by Thalif Deen, Inter Press Service (IPS), September 15, 2006

Positive Impact. Immigrants will often do jobs that people in the host country will not, or cannot do; Migrant workers often work longer hours and for lower salaries, and while that is controversial, sometimes exploitive, it benefits the host country; Immigrants, when made to feel welcome in the host society, can contribute to the diversity of that society, which can help with tolerance and understanding; For the host country’s economy, immigrants offer an increased talent pool, if they have been well educated in their original country.

Negative Impact Immigrants can be exploited for their cheap labor; Developing countries may suffer “brain drain” as the limited resources they spend in educating their students amount to very little if that talent is enticed to another country. Immigration can also attract criminal elements, from trafficking in drugs and people to other forms of crime and corruption; Immigration can become a social/political issue, where racism can be used to exploit feelings or as an excuse for current woes of local population;

Cont… Where there is a perception that immigrants and refugees appear to get more benefits than local poor people, tensions and hostilities can also rise; Concerns about illegal immigration can spill over to ill-feelings towards the majority of immigrants who are law-abiding and contributing to the economy; Many die trying to flee their predicament, and this can often make sensational headlines giving the appearance that immigration is largely illegal and “out of control.”

Sri Lankan Diaspora distribution (Estimated ). Country Estimated amount of SL Diaspora Canada 200,000- 300,000 United Kingdom (UK) 180,000 Germany 60,000 France 40,000- 50,000 Switzerland 47,000 Australia 40,000 USA 25,000 Netherlands 20,000 Italy 15,000

Migration and Development - How ? Migration continues to raise difficult questions about the nature of development itself. On one level, development is the alleviation of poverty, and migration clearly contributes to this. migration and remittances contribute to progress toward some of the UN's 8 Millennium Development Goals. 2) Development entails long-term structural change: improvements in knowledge, human capital, and infrastructure and the creation of efficient and accessible markets, governments, public services, and other institutions. Migration promoting the structural changes needed for development.

Migration and Development - How ? 3) Migration's potential cause to incomes boosting, develop human and institutional capacity. 4) Public policy should focus on maximizing the development benefits of migration by increasing the positive impact of remittances and taking advantage of the learning and business opportunities offered by circular migration and the transnational connections that migrants create. 5) Policies toward remittances must enhance the opportunities available to migrants and their families through innovative financial instruments and incentive-based programs furthering development goals.

Key development potential of Migration Economic Contribution - Remittances( Investment, Entrepreneurship. etc.) Intellectual Contribution - Technology, innovations & Skills transfer. Political - Promoting democratic reform and human rights. Philanthropy - Charitable donation to communities, health and education, etc. Social & Cultural - Social networks, Cultural exchange, support to potential or new immigrants.

Maximizing Development impact Way Forward Migration needs to be better integrated into development policy and planning. Inadequate research and data inhibit valid migration impact analysis to be incorporated into development planning projects. incorporate migration in to Poverty Reduction Strategy Countries need migration policies and the internal capacity to develop them. Many countries still lack comprehensive migration policies and/or policy coherence. recommend creation of inter-ministerial working groups, capacity building initiatives.

The business community needs to be drawn into the migration debate. Way Forward The business community needs to be drawn into the migration debate. Business community plays critical role in economics of migration but is not involved in migration debate at international level. Recommend real partnership between governments, intergovernmental organisations, the private business sector and civil society. Better mechanisms are needed to match supply and demand of labour globally. Global labour market calls for mechanisms to measure and match supply and demand of labour and provide frameworks for humane, safe and orderly flows, such as temporary, circular and “virtual” migration schemes.

Way Forward The development potential of diasporas needs to be explored and enhanced. Growing focus on potential of diasporas to be key motors of development - and not only through remittances. Reduction of remittance costs and encourage understanding of national policies‘ influence on diasporas‘ relationship with home country and motivation to invest (time or money) back home. Regional consultations are a key tool for international understanding and action. Regional Consultative Processes (RCPs) are crucial elements in fostering dialogue, mutual understanding and concerted action in regards to migration challenges.

Thank you!