Understanding the Migration & Development Nexus: a Roadmap for Local Authorities

1. The EC-UN Joint Migration and Development Initiative: Networking and Participation of Local Authorities Understanding the Migration & Development Nexus: a Roadmap for Local Authorities

2. Recommendations for networking and participation of Local Authorities in the framework of the JMDI Starting on October 2008, a group of local authorities has been gathering information and mobilizing other local authorities to appraise their role in the migration and development nexus, that is how migration can boost development both in origin and destination areas. Although many LA have been active, knowledge and recognition of their role has be overlooked in the international debate

3. Key areas of international intervention on migration and development • the importance of remittances in developing countries, in terms of alleviating poverty, contributing to financial stability, and as potential investments; • migrant communities as advocates and acting for the development of their communities at home, and establishing mutually beneficial cooperation with administrations in receiving societies; • the relevance of the capacities of migrants to streamline their contribution to development in both communities of origin and destination; • the importance of ensuring that migrants’ rights are guaranteed at all stages of the migration process.

4. The network • Has collected practices from EU and third-countries • Has participated in a “knowledge fair” in Brussels and organized 2 meetings for LA • Has liaised with La who have submitted bids for the programme’s call for proposals • Has published 3 newsletters • Has conducted a peer review with LA to identify case studies, drawn lessons and drafted policy recommendations • The final policy recommendations will be available in English, Italia, Spanish and French by the end of the month on www.migration4development.org

5. Lessons learned • In general terms, policy development on migration remains fragmentary, with different levels of commitment and capacity by local authorities in different contexts • Policy coherence: coherence between migration policy and other policy areas. In particular it appears very important to define framework strategies to match mobility with competitiveness on the one hand, and social cohesion on the other.

6. Lessons learned • The need to operate in partnerships with all stakeholders involved: networks must include horizontal partners (all actors, public and private on the territory); vertical partners (coordination among government levels) ; transnational partners (origin and destination areas)

7. Lessons learned • Migrant inclusion and integration can propel the human and financial capitals necessary to link the migration experience of individuals or groups to the development of their country of origin. Integration programmes include language courses, venues for intercultural dialogue, support to initiatives to fight discrimination and xenophobia, and other varied experiences that target both European citizens and third- country nationals.

8. Lessons learned • In order to establish effective partnerships with migrant associations, there is a need to invest in building the migrants’ capacity of representation. Encouraging structured representations of migrant groups is in the interest of local authorities in both communities of origin and destination. Local consultative processes are deemed to have an important role to play in promoting the integration of migration issues into local and regional development plans.

9. Lessons learned • A better social and economic integration in the structures and institutions of the receiving society is necessary; migrants’ ownership is reinforced when there is a direct contribution from migrant groups in terms of human capital (skills and capacities), financial capital (by investing or putting at disposal remittances for development), and social capital (by facilitating relationships and building on family and social networks for better cooperation and joint action between origin, transit and destination countries).

10. Lessons learned • It is important that local authorities can count on a solid knowledge base: sustainable policy-making needs to be based on solid empirical evidence of social and economic trends, in order to ensure that policies are based on existing needs and demands. • Public communication and dissemination of information: the objectives of the various migration policy initiatives are understood and accepted, not only by governmental authorities and their social and private partners, but also by citizens.

11. Lessons learned • Encouraging the involvement of migrants in receiving societies does not necessarily imply that policies target migrants exclusively. Migration policies are policies that concern the entire population. • Tailoring programs to migrants exclusively may have adverse consequences on the integration of immigrants in the society at large. • Programs should, to the maximum extent possible, follow an inclusive approach and encourage migrants to be active within societies,.