Maximising the Development Impact of Migration and Mobility in 2011 (EMN Inform)

This EMN Inform provides an overview of the main developments that took place in 2011 within the Global Approach to Migration and Mobility (GAMM) objective of maximising the development impact of migration and mobility.

Based inter alia on national annual policy report 2011, this EMN Inform provides an overview of effective migration and  development  policies  (Section  1);  remittances  (Section  2);  and  diasporas  (Section  3).

The following elements can be highlighted, inter alia:

  • Effective migration and development policies: At EU level, A Commission Staff Working Paper on Migration and Development,  accompanying the GAMM Communication, underlined the importance of a comprehensive  framework on migration and development.  As a result, new priority issues include mitigating the negative social consequences of emigration on communities and families in countries of origin, improving  protection for the human rights of migrants during their transit process and supporting the integration of migrants in destination countries. On 13 October 2011, the Commission adopted the Agenda for Change on increasing the impact of EU Development Policy, which  calls on the EU to better address the interrelationship between migration, mobility and employment and to promote regional labour mobility in the Global South. At national level, many Member States and NO undertook actions to integrate migration and development policies effectively, including studies, projects, websites and other initiatives.
  • Remittances: At EU level, a Commission-funded study was launched in September 2011 with the overall objective to analyse and improve  the state of implementation of existing EU commitments on remittances. At national level, several Member States and NO have promoted  co-development actions and supported instruments for transferring migrants' remittances. 
  • Working with diasporas: At EU level, funding  for  “Non-state actors and Local Authorities in Development” is also open to diaspora organisations due to their importance as agents for development of their countries of origin vis-à-vis both policymakers and donors. At national level, several Member States have specific activities with regard to supporting diaspora groups in enhancing development, including a variety of programmes and projects, conferences and events or a handbook describing  how policymakers can best involve diaspora groups in the countries of  origin.
Publication Date:
Thu 03 Jan 2013
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