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Without Choice?
Understanding War-Affected Syrian Families’ Decisions to Leave Home
This new publication in the IOM Migration Research Series explores the decision-making processes of war-affected Syrian families before leaving home. Drawing upon collaborative family interviews with 46 Syrian families resettled in Lebanon the research methodology included narrative discussion —spanning life in Syria the journey from Syria to Lebanon and life in Lebanon—as well as drawing and mapmaking. The findings are divided into four themes: (1) how long it took for families to decide to leave (2) the push factors that influenced the family’s decision to leave (3) why families decided to journey to Lebanon versus another neighbouring country (4) the push/pull factors in deciding to resettle in a third country. The findings indicate that there is much diversity in the decision-making processes that families engage in and underscore the importance of family agency in making informed decisions.
International Migration, Internal Migration, Mobility and Urbanization
Towards More Integrated Approaches
This new publication in the IOM Migration Research Series explores migration as one of the most problematic of the population variables. While reviewing the various instruments to measure international and internal migration the research questions the tendency to consider the diverse forms of mobility separately from one another. The publication argues that human mobility is best conceived as a system that integrates internal and international migration within a single framework and that gives due account to tourism and its significant linkages with migration.
Summary Report on the MIPEX Health Strand and Country Reports
The Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) Health strand is a questionnaire designed to supplement the existing seven strands of the MIPEX which in its latest edition (2015) monitors policies affecting migrant integration in 38 different countries. The questionnaire measures the equitability of policies relating to four issues: (A) migrants’ entitlements to health services; (B) accessibility of health services for migrants; (C) responsiveness to migrants’ needs; and (D) measures to achieve change. The work described in this report formed part of the EQUI-HEALTH project carried out by the International Organization for Migration from 2013 to 2016 in collaboration with the Migrant Policy Group (MPG) and COST Action IS1103 (Adapting European health services to diversity). Part I of this report shows that many studies have already been carried out on migrant health policies but because they tend to select different countries concepts categories and methods of measurement it is difficult to integrate and synthesize all these findings. The MIPEX Health strand sets out to surmount this obstacle by collecting information on carefully defined and standardized indicators in all 38 MIPEX countries as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Part II describes the conceptual framework underlying the questionnaire and the way in which aspects of policy were operationalized and scored in the 38 indicators. This is followed in Part III by a detailed description of the pattern of results found in 34 European countries on each item in the questionnaire. Part IV reports the results of statistical analyses of collected data.
Vulnerability to Environmental Stress
Household Livelihoods, Assets and Mobility in the Mekong Delta, Viet Nam
This study explores vulnerability and household response measures in the contexts of environmental stress in the Mekong Delta of Viet Nam. Displacement estimates are often based on broad assumptions derived from macro-scale geographical data viewing individuals’ vulnerability to hazards through the lens of their physical proximity to hazard-prone areas. Given that household assets shape responses to opportunities and threats this report examines key household assets which determine the household vulnerability livelihood outcomes and those critical for mobility decision-making in the face of environmental change. The report also provides analysis of government relocation programmes targeting households susceptible to hazards and draws attention to the most asset-poor who are often trapped and the least able to both adapt to stressors in- situ or migrate elsewhere.
A New Global Partnership for Development
Factoring in the Contribution of Migration
Part A of this report provides a systematic update of the evidence base regarding migration’s relevance to and impact on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In doing so it considers the role of migration as an enabler of development through a number of different channels – monetary and social remittances the act of migrating and the impacts on those left behind. Part B takes the debate a step further by first presenting argumentation for why migration is important and why mobility should be a component of the post-2015 development agenda.
The South–South Remittance Corridor between Argentina and Bolivia
South–South remittance corridors still remain a largely unexplored research area despite the fact that for a few years already international organizations such as the International Organization for Migration and the World Bank have been highlighting the importance of South–South migration and remittance flows. In South America the Argentina–Bolivia corridor is the third most relevant South–South corridor in terms of annual volumes after Venezuela–Colombia and Argentina–Paraguay. This publication provides a diagnostic report on the access to and use of remittance services by Bolivian migrants in Argentina showing the main obstacles and challenges faced to achieve a productive use of remittances. The study examines the legal and regulatory frameworks of remittance-related transactions together with the sending process from Argentina to Bolivia with its chain of intermediation and different money transfer schemes. It provides key recommendations for public policies and actions aimed at maximizing the positive impact of remittances in terms of local development focusing on two intervention pillars: financial education and transparency of the remittance services market.
Mobility of Health Professionals to, from and within the European Union
This publication is a shortened version of the summary report “Mobility of Health Professionals: Health systems work conditions patterns of health workers’ mobility and implication for policy makers” which was published in March 2012 in Bonn Germany by a consortium led by Dr. Caren Weilandt at the Wissenschaftliches Institut der Ärzte Deutschlands (WIAD Scientific Institute of the Medical Association of German Doctors). It provides an overview of the outcomes of the MoHProf project that aimed to gather more insights into the processes and effects of mobility of health professionals to from and within the European Union (EU) and which was carried out under the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development of the EU.
Displaced Youth’s Role in Sustainable Return
Lessons from South Sudan
More than 2 million Southerners have returned to South Sudan since 2005 following the end of the North–South civil war. Building on research conducted in South Sudan as well as Egypt and northern Uganda Ensor examines the process of reintegration of refugees and internally displaced persons returning to South Sudan since the signing of the 2005 Peace Agreement. The study focuses on the role played by displaced youth as they find themselves differentially situated vis-à-vis the various determinants of sustainable return and reintegration. The research finds that intergenerational tensions are a result of many displaced youths’ aspirations to a “modern” – often meaning urban – way of life perceived as incompatible with traditional livelihoods and social relations. In turn these dynamics are impacting the way in which access to material assets education employment opportunities political participation and other key resources is negotiated among displaced groups and those who stayed behind. The study also finds evidence of significant gender differences. As the pressures of responding to the complex needs of the vast numbers of returning individuals continue to mount reintegration remains a loosely defined concept among government officials and external assistance agencies and furthermore understandings of what constitutes “sustainable return” differ markedly among the various stakeholders. Intergenerational differences regarding reintegration needs and aspirations and even the very desirability of return are rarely considered. This report shares primary research findings that may support return and reintegration programming so as to better respond to the age- and gender-differentiated needs and aspirations of diverse migrant groups in South Sudan.
Migration and Development within the South
New Evidence from African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries
This edition of the IOM Migration Research Series authored by the staff of the ACP Observatory sheds light on the specific characteristics of South–South migration and presents evidence on the manifold avenues for increasing its contribution to development. This publication outlines key findings of three years of research in African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries carried out by the ACP Observatory on Migration.
Regional Inter-State Consultation Mechanisms on Migration
Approaches, Recent Activities and Implications for Global Governance of Migration
This study reviews 25 interstate consultative mechanisms on migration: 18 RCPs and seven others here termed interregional forums on migration (IRF) that appear to depart from the classic RCP model in some meaningful way. Each case review includes background on the origin and development of the mechanism a brief discussion of the evolution of the agenda identification of any linkages with multilateral agreements and a note on the placement of the mechanism within the taxonomy of mechanisms suggested by the author. The study concludes with implications for harmonized governance of migration.
Ending the 2006 Internal Displacement Crisis in Timor-Leste
Between Humanitarian Aid and Transitional Justice
Angola
A Study of the Impact of Remittances from Portugal and South Africa
Migrant Resource Centres
An Initial Assessment
The Role of Migrant Care Workers in Ageing Societies
Report on Research Findings in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and the United States
An Assessment of Principal Regional Consultative Processes on Migration
The present study considers fourteen of the principal Regional Consultative Processes on Migration spanning most regions of the globe. Based primarily on interviews with government officials and other actors involved in these processes the Study asks what impact Regional Consultative Processes on Migration have had on migration governance and on fostering greater confidence in inter-State cooperation on migration. This Report sets out with a broad definition of migration governance. It identifies three distinct phases of the governance processes and analyses the contributions Regional Consultative Processes on Migration have made to each of these. The Study then proceeds to draw general lessons and recommendations from the experiences of different processes in terms of their working style and focus.
The Impact of Financial Crises on International Migration
Lessons Learned
The current global economic crisis is impacting migration patterns and processes around the world. A reduction in migration flows globally has been reported. Migrant workers are laid off and while some return home others stay. How to respond to these migration impacts poses challenges for policymakers in both countries of origin and destination. Against this background this Report considers the lessons for migration policy to be learned from the major financial crises of the 20h century namely the Great Depression (1930s) the oil crisis (1973) the Asian financial crisis (1997-1999) the financial crisis in Russia (1998) and the Latin American financial crisis (1998-2002). As the impact of previous crises on migrants and migration has been uneven and unequal across countries and regions depending on a range of factors this Report draws out the wider lessons for policy that can be learned from previous responses to economic crises.
Gallup World Poll
The Many Faces of Global Migration
The Many Faces of Global Migration report is an introduction to what Gallup has unearthed by asking migrants and potential migrants worldwide about their lives. The data presented in this report are based on Gallup’s ongoing World Poll surveys in more than 150 countries territories and regions and more than 750000 interviews since 2005. As such these findings provide an unprecedented look at the different push-and-pull factors that influence migration the experiences of those who desire to migrate to other countries permanently or temporarily for work those who are planning to go those who are preparing to go those who have already left and those who have returned home – and what this means for governments intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders.
Climate Change, Migration and Critical International Security Considerations
This report reviews the available scholarly reporting on climate change migration and security and describes the legal and policy challenges facing the international community. While there is indeed considerable evidence that climate does influence migration future estimates are hampered by a lack of reliable data. Climate-related migration is closely connected to the social economic cultural and institutional processes that shape the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of exposed populations. Conflict may potentially emerge in situations of resource scarcity and resource abundance but in most cases there will be opportunities for intervention before violence occurs. Most climate change-driven migration is likely to occur with countries and regions although there will be increased international movements along established migrant networks. To avoid large-scale distress migrations the report outlines priority actions for policymakers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions enhance adaptive capacity in vulnerable regions and provide assistance to those displaced.
Trafficking of Men
A Trend Less Considered - The Case of Belarus and Ukraine
To date trafficking in males has been underconsidered in research despite noteworthy signals that it is a violation faced by many males adults and minors. Through the case of Belarus and Ukraine this study established from a survey of about 685 trafficked males and qualitative information from interviews considers male victim’s profiles and trafficking experience from recruitment through transportation and exploitation. On the other hand it analyses what can be done to meet their needs both as a means of assistance and protection.
Migration, Development and Environment
This book explores the conceptual framework of the interrelationships between migration environment and development which are among the most pressing issues on the contemporary global agenda. After a conceptualization of this relationship the paper treats in a depth analysis with tables and figures main issues such as: environment as cause of migration in case of environmental disasters and environmental degradation; climate change and migration; displacement by large projects and impacts of migration on destination environments. The implications these have for policy are also considered.
Climate Change and Migration
Improving Methodologies to Estimate Flows
Recent empirical studies have found that climate variability and migration are characterized by a non-linear relationship. This study explores the climate change impacts on migratory processes. It outlines the key elements of natural and human induced climate change of potential relevance to migration discusses the current state of debate about the relationship between climate change and migration and describes possible approaches and methodologies with which to further our understanding of climate change-related migration.
Migration and Development
Achieving Policy Coherence
Policy coherence between migration and development agendas is of increasing interest in current times; there is growing recognition that migration policies should support rather than hinder investment in international development. The aim of this study is to build on existing international research and take the analysis to the next higher level showing how these connections can be made in practice. Policy makers often focus on remittances as the main means of translating the migration-development nexus into reality. However this paper shows that there are many stages in the migration cycle from departure to return and reintegration back home that present opportunities to make migration more “development friendly” and conversely to raise development awareness of migration factors.
Irregular Migration from West Africa to the Maghreb and the European Union
An Overview of Recent Trends
The media and prevailing policy discourses convey an increasingly apocalyptic image of the massive outflows of desperate Africans fleeing poverty and war at home. This study tries to achieve a more empirically and quantitatively founded understanding of the nature scale and recent evolution of irregular West African migration to Maghreb and Europe. Furthermore the publication evaluates how policies to manage trans-Saharan and trans-Mediterranean migration have affected current migration patterns.
Migration and Climate Change
This report focuses on the possible future scenarios for climate change natural disasters and migration and development looking to increase awareness and find answers to the challenges that lie ahead. It states that even though it is defined as growing crisis the consequences of climate change for human population are unclear and unpredictable. The study points out that scientific basis for climate change is increasingly well established and confirms that current predictions as to the “carrying capacity” in large parts of the world will be compromised by climate change.
Migration, Development and Natural Disasters
Insights from the Indian Ocean Tsunami
According to the present report the recent Asian tsunami highlights the need to take migrant communities both regular and irregular into account when planning for natural disasters in order to ensure they are treated in accordance with the core principles of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. The report concludes that a number of measures need to be taken to ensure that migrants are fairly treated in the aftermath of a disaster including the setting up of systems to monitor their immediate medium and long-term well-being.
Trafficking in Human Beings and the 2006 World Cup in Germany
Prior to the World Cup in Germany in 2006 there was considerable international concern that this event would contribute to a sharp increase in trafficking for sexual exploitation. This report investigates whether the number of victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation increased during this sporting event. All data information and experts’ statements that are available to date strongly indicate that an increase in human trafficking during and after the World Cup did not actually occur.
A Study of Migrant-Sending Households in Serbia Receiving Remittances from Switzerland
This report specifically presents the results of IOM’s mandated work in particular the volume frequency transfer mechanisms use determinants and impact of remittances on transnational Serbian households receiving support from relatives in Switzerland. This report concludes with recommendations for ways in which these remittance flows and their development impacts can be enhanced.
Migration and Poverty Alleviation in China
China has achieved remarkable progress in poverty alleviation since the start of its reforms. Rural-urban labour migration on an unprecedented scale played a vital role in rural income growth poverty reduction and economic development. The present publication argues that although migration in China has unique institutional characteristics the experiences and lessons to be drawn from considering migration as a development approach have important implications for the shaping of appropriate developmental policies.
Engaging Diasporas as Development Partners for Home and Destination Countries
Challenges for Policymakers
This publication explores different challenges posed to home and host country governments engaging with their diasporas for development purposes. How to define diasporas? How to gather data on diasporas? How to incorporate diaspora contributions into development strategies? How to identify most relevant partners within the diasporas? What incentives are conducive to diaspora contributions? What resources are available within diasporas and how can their impact on development be maximized? What is the role for policy? These are some of the questions raised in this publication.
Remittances in the Great Lakes Region
This study aims to provide insight into the advantages and disadvantages of existing transfer methods governmental and non-state initiatives regarding remittances and the obstacles and opportunities for harnessing the development impact of these financial flows. The introductory chapter presents a conceptual framework on remittances. The second third and fourth chapters provide an analysis of the remittance dynamics of the DRC Burundi and Rwanda.
Domestic Migrant Remittances in China
Distribution, Channels and Livelihoods
Remittances are an integral feature of the internal migration process in China. In order to understand the contributions remittances can make to development and the ways in which potential benefits may be enhanced there are several questions that need to be answered. For instance how are such funds distributed within and across regions? What channels are used to send money to the rural areas? Who are the people in the rural community receiving the money? Why do some migrants fail to remit? How are remittances spent? And what are the policy implications of how the money is distributed remitted and used? This report draws on a rich body of English and Chinese literature to find answers to these questions.
Migration, Human Smuggling and Trafficking from Nigeria to Europe
There are several hundreds of thousands of Nigerians throughout Europe half of whom live in the United Kingdom. According to this report emigration has represented a considerable drain of highly qualified labour from Nigeria while at the same time the Nigerians abroad represent a substantial resource to their country of origin and they send more than a billion US dollars back to their relatives every year.
Migration and Development
Opportunities and Challenges for Policymakers
There is growing consensus that international migration can have important impacts on development and that it is important to develop appropriate and effective policy interventions that will help realize the full potential of international migration. This will require devising measures to harness the developmental potential that emigration from developing countries can bring while at the same time ensuring that the depletion of highly skilled workers does not damage development outcomes in the countries of origin. This paper is intended to guide policymakers through some of these challenges.
Migration and Development
New Strategic Outlooks and Practical Ways Forward - The Cases of Angola and Zambia
There is much greater awareness today that development affects migration and that migration influences development. The challenge is to find innovative and effective ways to enhance the benefits of migration while mitigating its adverse development implications for emigration countries. This study assesses and analyses the migration and development situation of Angola and Zambia.
The Millennium Development Goals and Migration
There is a noticeable gap in research and analysis on how migration is linked to development. This paper identifies linkages that have the potential both to challenge and to support the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The complexities of this phenomenon need to be understood in order to be better achieve those targets.
Internal Migration and Development
A Global Perspective
With a few exceptions evidence suggests that internal population movements are growing. While there have been few formal efforts to estimate the economic contribution of migrant labour this report argues that internal migration can play an important role in poverty reduction and economic development and should therefore not be controlled or actively discouraged.
Dynamics of Remittance Utilization in Bangladesh
More than 1 million Bangladeshis live permanently outside the country and some 200000 or more leave the country every year to work elsewhere. Most of these migrants send part of their earnings home on a regular or irregular basis. This report takes Bangladesh as a case study and looks at the importance of remittances for the economic development of the origin countries of migrant communities.
The Development Potential of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora
A Survey of Zimbabweans Living in the UK and South Africa
This report draws on findings from a survey of 1000 Zimbabweans living in the United Kingdom and South Africa and aims to obtain a profile in terms of their skills base transnational links and interest in contributing to development. It examines the education and employment skills base of respondents on arrival in either the UK or South Africa and their educational qualifications and employment at the time of the survey. Transnational activities are also explored including the sending of economic and other remittances.
Migration from Latin America to Europe
Trends and Policy Challenges
Part of the IOM Migration Research Series this study reveals various trends and policy challenges relating to migration from Latin America and the Caribbean to Europe which has grown rapidly over the last decade. These increased flows calls for strengthened cooperation between the two regions on migration issues specifically the effective integration of migration issues into the ongoing development cooperation activities and political dialogues.
Is Trafficking in Human Beings Demand Driven?
A Multi-Country Pilot Study
This research paper reveals the findings of a multi-country pilot study carried out to investigate the demand side related to the trafficking of human beings. It focuses on employer demand for domestic workers in private homes and consumer demand for commercial sexual services in selected European and Asian countries. In both sex and domestic work the absence of effective regulation is one of the factors that help to create an environment in which it is possible and profitable to use forced labour.
Migration and Development
A Perspective from Asia
This paper discusses international migration and the impact it has both negative and positive on development in Asian countries. It demonstrates ways in which international migration can and does impinge on development in receiving areas. Although the paper focuses on examples taken from the Asian region the lessons learnt are applicable to other regions of the world.
Bordering on Control
Combating Irregular Migration in North America and Europe
This publication evaluates the cost-effectiveness of both external and internal migration-control instruments in the USA Canada Germany the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. It discusses whether increased spending on Official Development Assistance would reduce migration flows to those countries and proposes recommendations on how migration management objectives can be achieved.
Irregular Migration in Turkey
In recent years illegal transit migration through Turkey together with the use of Turkey’s territory as a transition post for onward migration towards the west has become an issue of growing importance to the Turkish government. The government seeks to control and manage transit migration often organized by criminal smuggling and trafficking international networks. This report — based on interviews with migrants migration officials and traffickers — provides useful insights into the origins and motivations of transit migrants and their reasons for farther migration. It illustrates the workings of well-organized local and international criminal networks and discusses Turkey’s policies and efforts to manage substantial and irregular migration flows through its territory in cooperation with western European countries.
Journeys of Jeopardy
A Review of Research on Trafficking in Women and Children in Europe
This report by Professor Elizabeth Kelly assesses the current state of knowledge on the trafficking of women and children in Europe. It states that despite growing interest and concern information is still limited on the scale of trafficking the methods it uses and the most effective means to counter it. The report identifies a number of priorities for further research including the structure of criminal groups and their methods state compliance with relevant international laws and an evaluation of the effectiveness of counter-trafficking initiatives.
Moroccan Migration Dynamics
Prospects for the Future
This report by the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI) focuses on migration dynamics between Morocco and the European Union. Based on an extensive survey of 2500 Moroccan households in five provinces in Morocco as well as in five Spanish regions the study analyses the reasons for migration and identifies social economic and regional policy issues that need to be addressed in order to moderate the existing migration pressure.
A Review of Data on Trafficking in the Republic of Korea
The US State Department included South Korea among its list of twenty-three countries that failed to meet minimum standards in attempting to stop the trafficking in human beings primarily women and children exploited for prostitution. This report surveys the trafficking of women from countries such as the Philippines Russia and other nations of the former Soviet Union into South Korea. It systematically presents relevant data and research findings on this serious and growing phenomenon and –by including both the South Korean government’s approach and the viewpoint of South Korean NGOs –it provides a balanced analysis.
Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation
The Case of the Russian Federation
Trafficking in human beings has become one of the most serious problems in the Russian Federation. Trafficking in women is now a multi-billion dollar industry and a key source of revenue for Russian organized crime groups. The study examines the patterns and growth of this illegal activity in Russia Europe and worldwide.
The Migration-Development Nexus
Evidence and Policy Options
This paper presents an overview of current thinking and available evidence on the migration development nexus and includes an assessment of the intended and unintended consequences of development interventions and the role of humanitarian aid in migrant producing areas. Four critical issues are analyzed: poverty and migration; conflicts refugees and migration; migrants as a development resource; aid and migration.
Recent Trends in Chinese Migration to Europe
Fujianese Migration in Perspective
This report presents recent findings regarding main trends in Chinese migration to Europe and detailed discussions on the particular characteristics of Fujianese flows. It demonstrates that migrants from the central and western parts of the Fujian province are shaping changing migration patterns and creating new trends. The report also describes the professional assistance received by these new migrants in the migration process.
The Role of Regional Consultative Process in Managing International Migration
The past ten years have seen an increase in the number of regional consultative processes focusing on migration. These non-binding fora bring representatives of states civil society and international organizations together at the regional level to discuss migration-related issues in a cooperative manner. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of regional consultative processes. It examines eleven regional processes and investigates the development and achievements of four of them in depth.
The Return and Reintegration of Rejected Asylum Seekers and Irregular Migrants
This report compares the experiences of several existing assisted return programmes for rejected asylum seekers and irregular migrants in Europe and draws lessons for future programmes. Specifically the report focuses on three aspects: programme implementation targeting of assistance and evaluation. It analyzes the experiences of existing programmes in France the Netherlands and Switzerland and makes recommendations for best practice in the future.
Harnessing the Potential of Migration and Return to Promote Development
Applying Concepts to West Africa
This paper is intended to stimulate discussions on the relationship between migration return and development. It outlines the operational framework and research strategy that will be used to investigate this relationship in an ongoing research project on West Africa. The paper discusses the following issues: contemporary trends in international migration in West Africa consequences of migration to domestic labour markets effects of migrant remittances brain drain phenomenon the developmental impacts of potential capital transfers occurring with return elements for a meso-level approach on migration issues to achieve an improved understanding of the complex relationship between international migration return and development.
Myths and Realities of Chinese Irregular Migration
This study reviews recent research on the trafficking and smuggling of migrants from China. It also addresses prevalent myths about Chinese irregular migration and discusses policy measures adopted by China and other countries to combat trafficking from China. The study attempts to portray an unbiased assessment of the issue.
Combating Trafficking in South-East Asia
A Review of Policy and Programme Responses
At least two hundred thousand women and children from South-East Asia are trafficked annually. This figure represents nearly one third of the global trafficking trade. This study reviews what is known about trafficking in the region and provides a thorough overview of the viewpoints that have been developed within South-East Asia. It also discusses problems faced in the fight against trafficking and highlights priority areas for the development and implementation of counter trafficking programmes and initiatives.